What are the requirements for SDB Certification?

There are a few preliminary areas you can address immediately if you suspect you may be qualified for SDB certification.

If you think that you could meet the very general criteria outlined below, you definitely should complete our FREE Pre-Qualifying Interview. The Interview will clarify the SBA's vague criteria and complex legal definitions for you in plain English.

You must be a small business concern based on applicable size standards for small businesses in your industry.

All individuals upon whom eligibility is based must be U.S. citizens.

You must be the unconditional majority owner of the business.

Outside business interests are strictly limited.

You must work full-time in your business.

You must be in immediate charge of your business.

Board control in the case of a small business corporation can be exercised only by disadvantaged persons.

You must be a socially disadvantaged individual. Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities. The social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, and Native Americans are presumed to qualify. Other individuals such as women and handicapped individuals can qualify if they show by a " preponderance of the evidence" that they are disadvantaged.

Ultimate control of your company must not reside with anyone other than those upon whom eligibility is based.

You must be an economically disadvantaged individual. All applicant individuals must have a net worth of less than $750,000, excluding the equity of the business and primary residence.

You must not have any significant unresolved federal or state tax financial issues.

You must not operate a business that is not eligible for certification.

If these preliminary criteria appear to describe you and your company, you may be well on your way to qualifying for SDB certification.

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