How to Get WOSB / EDWOSB Certified
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) program reserves federal contracts for women-owned firms in industries where they're underrepresented. There are two tiers: WOSB, and the Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) for owners who also meet financial-disadvantage limits. Since 2020 you must be formally certified — old-style self-certification no longer qualifies you for set-asides.
Who qualifies for WOSB
- check_circleBe a small business under the SBA size standard for your primary NAICS code.
- check_circleBe at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens.
- check_circleHave a woman manage day-to-day operations and make the long-term decisions.
- check_circleHold an active SAM.gov registration.
- check_circleFor EDWOSB: the owner(s) must also be economically disadvantaged — personal net worth, average income, and total assets each under the SBA's caps (verify current figures with SBA).
How to get WOSB certified
- 1
Register on SAM.gov
Get an active registration with your UEI and NAICS codes.
- 2
Sign in to MySBA Certifications
Sign in at certifications.sba.gov with a Login.gov account.
- 3
Choose WOSB or EDWOSB
Complete the application for the tier you qualify for — ownership and control, plus financial details for EDWOSB.
- 4
Upload documents
Attach proof of citizenship and ownership records; for EDWOSB, three years of personal and business tax returns and W-2s/1099s.
- 5
Submit
Certify through the SBA, or use an SBA-approved third-party certifier — either way the firm must be formally certified before bidding on WOSB set-asides.
Typical timeline: SBA aims to process complete applications within a few months; a free SBA-approved third-party certifier can sometimes be faster. Certification runs three years before renewal.
Common mistakes to avoid
- errorSelf-certification ended in 2020. If you only self-certified in your old SAM.gov profile, you are NOT eligible for WOSB set-asides until you complete SBA (or approved third-party) certification.
- errorA woman must hold the highest officer position AND control day-to-day operations — passive 51% ownership on paper isn't enough.
- errorSome industries are designated EDWOSB-only. In those NAICS codes a plain WOSB certification won't let you bid — you need EDWOSB.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?expand_more
Both require 51% ownership and control by women. EDWOSB adds an economic-disadvantage test (net worth, income, and asset caps), and some NAICS codes are reserved specifically for EDWOSB firms.
Do I still need to certify if I self-certified before?expand_more
Yes. Self-certification ended in 2020. You must be SBA-certified — or certified by an SBA-approved third party — to win WOSB or EDWOSB set-asides.
How much does WOSB certification cost?expand_more
SBA certification is free. Approved third-party certifiers may charge a fee. Be cautious of anyone charging large sums to 'guarantee' certification.
How long is WOSB certification good for?expand_more
Three years, then you recertify. You must report material changes that could affect eligibility to SBA within 30 days.
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 WOSB program page before you apply.