How Does WBENC Recertification Work?
A Manual Yet Simpler Step
You’ve upgraded your enterprise and achieved WBENC Certification for your Women-Owned Business, putting you a step ahead of the pack with exclusive marketing, networking, workshop, and event opportunities. However, your WBENC Certification is only valid for one year, and will automatically lapse if no action is taken at your business’s end. After one year, and each following year afterward, your business will need to go through WBENC’s recertification process. Don’t worry though: The process is much quicker and simpler than the initial certification.
Keep a note of when your certification date is, as your expiration date is one year after your certification date. Please check your spam folder for recertification notices, as these are autogenerated by the WBENCLink 2.0 system and can be overlooked. WBENC will automatically send a reminder notice 120 days from your expiration and you may begin the recertification process 90 days out from your expiration date. We here at WBEC-Pacific recommend beginning precisely at the 90-day mark to ensure there is no lapse in your certification and to avoid additional steps.
To begin the recertification process, log into WBENCLink 2.0 with your organization’s username and password. Select Renew/Apply for Certification under the Key Actions module on your dashboard and answer the prequalifying questions to ensure minimum requirements for certification are still met. Afterwards, you may continue to fill out the application steps in any order.
WBENC Recertification Quick Links
Only about 1/3 of your original certification documentation is required for the recertification process. It is important to provide updating documentation pertaining to key leadership changes (if applicable), and updated tax/fiscal information – either from the current or most prior year. Once the renewal application is submitted, edits to your application are not permitted as it is reviewed.
As you submit your application, you will be prompted for your credit card or check information for the non-refundable application fee. Please note the processing of your application will not begin until your payment is received, and American Express is currently not accepted.
- If you live in our region (Alaska, Northern California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington State) and are recertifying through WBEC-Pacific, your check should be made payable to Women’s Business Enterprise Council – Pacific and sent to our mailing address.
- If you live outside our region and are recertifying through one of WBENC’s other Regional Partner Organizations, please review online or with their certification teams on where to send checks to.
From here, our certification team (or the region’s team you’re certifying in) will reach out within WBENCLink 2.0 if there are any questions or complications. When approved, your certification will continue to be active for an additional twelve months, providing ongoing pathways to new opportunities for your business.
If you do happen to miss your certification deadline or have any questions about the recertification process, our certification team can provide answers at certification@wbec-pacific.org.