How to Get HUBZone Certified
The HUBZone program steers federal contracts to small businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones — economically distressed areas. Certified firms get a 10% price-evaluation preference in full-and-open competitions plus access to HUBZone set-asides. It has the strictest location rules of any set-aside program.
Who qualifies for HUBZone
- check_circleBe a small business under the SBA size standard for your primary NAICS code.
- check_circleBe at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens (or a qualifying ANC, NHO, CDC, or Indian tribe).
- check_circleHave your principal office — where the most employees work — located in a designated HUBZone.
- check_circleHave at least 35% of your employees living in a HUBZone.
How to get HUBZone certified
- 1
Check the SBA HUBZone map
Confirm your principal office and enough of your employees' home addresses fall inside a HUBZone before you apply.
- 2
Register on SAM.gov
Get an active registration with your UEI and NAICS codes.
- 3
Sign in to MySBA Certifications
Sign in at certifications.sba.gov with a Login.gov account.
- 4
Complete the HUBZone application
Upload proof of office location, employee residency, ownership, and citizenship.
- 5
Submit and respond to SBA
Answer any verification of your location and workforce; SBA may request additional documentation.
Typical timeline: Processing varies; gathering employee-residency proof is usually the slow part. You recertify every three years.
Common mistakes to avoid
- errorThe 35% employee-residency rule is ongoing — you must keep meeting it while certified, not just on application day. Use the SBA HUBZone map to confirm addresses before you hire or sign a lease.
- errorHUBZone boundaries change as the maps update; an address that qualifies today can fall out of a HUBZone later.
- error'Principal office' means where the most employees work — not necessarily the headquarters on your paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my office is in a HUBZone?expand_more
Use the SBA HUBZone map at maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map. Enter your address to see whether it's in a designated zone — and remember zones can change as the maps are updated.
What does the 35% employee rule mean?expand_more
At least 35% of your total employees must live in a HUBZone. It's an ongoing requirement, so you have to keep meeting it the whole time you're certified, not only when you apply.
What is the HUBZone benefit worth?expand_more
Beyond HUBZone set-asides, certified firms get a 10% price-evaluation preference in full-and-open competitions — your bid is treated as 10% lower when compared against non-HUBZone firms.
How long does HUBZone certification last?expand_more
You recertify every three years, and you must notify SBA of mergers, acquisitions, or other material changes.
Set-Aside Pro is an independent publication, not affiliated with the SBA or any federal agency. Certification rules and thresholds change — confirm the current requirements on the official SBA HUBZone program page before you apply.