Skip to main content

Free tool

Certification Eligibility Navigator

Federal set-aside certifications open doors to contracts with less competition. Answer a few questions to see which ones you may qualify for. These are signals to guide you, not an eligibility determination. Confirm and apply with the SBA.

Is your business under the SBA size standard for your primary NAICS code?

Not sure? Check with the NAICS finder.

Is your business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women?
Is your business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans?
Does the controlling veteran owner have a service-connected disability?
Can the majority owner establish social disadvantage (bias faced due to membership in a group, or an individual showing)?
Does the disadvantaged owner meet the economic thresholds (personal net worth under $850k, 3-year average AGI under $400k, and total assets at or below $6.5M)?
Is your principal office located in a HUBZone?

Check the SBA HUBZone map.

Do at least 35% of your employees live in a HUBZone?

Your results

Signals based on your answers, not an eligibility determination. Confirm and apply at SBA.

  • Small Business

    Answer more

    You indicated your business is under the SBA size standard for your primary NAICS code.

    SBA program details →

  • Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

    Answer more

    Small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women.

    SBA program details →

  • Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB)

    Answer more

    A WOSB whose owner also meets the economic-disadvantage thresholds (net worth < $850k, 3-yr avg AGI < $400k, assets ≤ $6.5M).

    SBA program details →

  • Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

    Answer more

    Small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans.

    SBA program details →

  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

    Answer more

    A VOSB where the controlling veteran owner has a service-connected disability. Now certified through SBA.

    SBA program details →

  • 8(a) Business Development

    Answer more

    Small business at least 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual. Note: 8(a) also requires a 2-year track record (waivable), good character, and U.S. citizenship. Confirm all criteria.

    SBA program details →

  • HUBZone

    Answer more

    Small business with its principal office in a HUBZone and at least 35% of employees residing in a HUBZone.

    SBA program details →

Is this an official eligibility determination?

No. This tool gives you signals based on your answers so you know which programs to look into. Eligibility is determined by the SBA when you apply. Always confirm against the official program rules.

What certifications does it cover?

Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB), the 8(a) Business Development program, HUBZone, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

What are the economic-disadvantage thresholds?

For EDWOSB and 8(a), the disadvantaged owner generally must have a personal net worth under $850,000, a 3-year average adjusted gross income under $400,000, and total assets at or below $6.5 million. These SBA figures are periodically adjusted, so confirm the current numbers at sba.gov.

Certified or not, know which bids are worth your time

BidIQ+ scores a real opportunity against your capabilities in minutes.

Grade an opportunity