Washington business certifications

Who qualifies

For-profit small businesses at least 51% owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who control daily operations. [USDOT DBE eligibility]

• Meet applicable small-business limits and demonstrate genuine ownership and control. [USDOT DBE eligibility]
• Qualifying owners must provide a personal narrative with individualized evidence of disadvantage, economic harm and a current personal-net-worth statement. [49 CFR 26.67]
• Provide ownership, financial, licensing and business records and cooperate with the certifier’s interview and site review. [49 CFR 26.83]

What it unlocks

• Certification establishes eligibility to participate as a DBE in covered transportation procurement. Check the UCP’s current reevaluation status before relying on contract goals. [49 CFR 26.83] [USDOT UCP directory]

How to apply

1. Start with the state’s lead UCP and confirm the appropriate certifier and current intake instructions. [USDOT UCP directory] Visit the state certifier.
2. Prepare the uniform application, supporting records, personal narrative and net-worth statement. [49 CFR 26.67] Check the application requirements.
3. Submit through the certifier’s instructed channel and respond to requests for records or an interview. [49 CFR 26.83] Follow the certifier’s submission instructions.

Who qualifies

Small businesses genuinely owned and controlled by qualifying minority owners or women under Washington’s certification rules. [Washington OMWBE state certification guidance]

• Qualifying owners must hold at least 51% and control daily operations; the business must be independent and perform a commercially useful function. [Washington OMWBE state certification guidance]
• Meet the state program’s small-business and owner economic-disadvantage requirements. Federal DBE is a separate certification. [Washington OMWBE state certification guidance]

What it unlocks

• Recognition as a state-certified minority- or women-owned business. [Washington OMWBE state certification guidance]

How to apply

1. Review OMWBE’s state-certification rules and application requirements. [Washington OMWBE state certification guidance] Read Washington certification rules.
2. Submit OMWBE’s application and supporting ownership, control and financial documents through its prescribed process. [Washington OMWBE state certification guidance] Check application requirements.

Who qualifies

Small businesses owned by economically disadvantaged individuals; owners need not be women or members of a minority group. [Washington small-business guide]

• Meet OMWBE’s state small-business certification criteria. Existing OMWBE state-certified businesses automatically received PWSBE status in the announced update. [Washington PWSBE guidance]
• Join the statewide Small Works Roster to be considered for direct small-works contracting opportunities. [Washington PWSBE guidance]

What it unlocks

• Access to the direct-contracting process for qualifying small public works contracts and free membership in the listed MRSC rosters. [Washington PWSBE guidance]

How to apply

1. Check existing status or apply through OMWBE’s Access Equity certification portal. [Washington PWSBE guidance] Open Access Equity.
2. After certification, join the statewide Small Works Roster to be considered for direct small-works contracts. [Washington PWSBE guidance] Read the roster instructions.