Frequently Asked Questions
What is a WBE?
WBE is short for Women’s Business Enterprise. A WBE is a diverse enterprise classification for a business concern that is owned and controlled by one or more women.
WBENC
What is WBENC and how does it differ from my local or regional affiliate?
The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, commonly referred to as WBENC, is the leading authority on and certifying organization for women’s business enterprises (WBEs) in the U.S. and U.S. territories. One of the most widely recognized and accepted certifications in the nation; WBENC’s certification is accepted by hundreds of U.S. corporations, as well as select federal, state and local government agencies. WBENC is headquartered in Washington, DC with 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) throughout the U.S., including Women’s Business Enterprise Council – Pacific (WBEC-Pacific). Each RPO processes certification applications on behalf of WBENC and adheres to WBENC’s stringent Standards and Procedures to maintain the integrity of WBENC’s Certification Program.
RENEWAL AND RECERTIFICATION
How do I recertify my business and will my company have to re-submit all of the same documentation?
The recertification process is much simpler, and all the initial documents are not required. However, WBENC requests updated financial information, board meeting minutes, if applicable, and any supporting documents to support changes that may have occurred in either ownership or management of the business.
Is recertification automatic?
No. Recertification is not automatic. The owner is sent a courtesy reminder 120 days prior to the expiration date of the company’s certification. However, WBENC does not guarantee receipt of the reminder e-mail and recommends the WBE marks its calendar as a reminder to begin the process 120 days prior to its expiration date.
I did not submit my application within 90 days, what do I do?
Register as a new user. The system purges all files that have exceeded their expiration date by 92 days, a recertification application, and/or supporting documents have not been submitted. If you experience difficulty, please contact support@wbenc.org.
My company applied for recertification early - will the expiration date change?
No, the certification is valid for a period of one year. It is not a rolling 12 months.
CERTIFICATION FEE
What is the fee for certification and recertification each year?
The WBEC-Pacific’s non-refundable processing fees for WBENC and WOSB certification are based on previous year’s gross revenues as indicated below. NOTE: After a company has been WBENC-certified, it may pursue, at no extra cost, the WOSB certification. WOSB certification only is available to US citizens.
Certification Fees Based on Annual Revenue
Up to $999 Thousand: $350
$1 Million up to $4.99 Million: $500
$5 Million up to $9.99 Million: $750
$10 Million up to $49.99 Million: $1,000
$50 Million or more: $1,250
Please make your check payable to Women’s Business Enterprise Council Pacific. Fees are non-refundable regardless of the final determination of your application.
Is the fee reimbursed if I am not certified?
No. After an application has been received, the fee is non-refundable. The “non-refundable policy” applies to applications that are accepted and/or denied, as well as applications that were not completed or withdrawn prior to final determination.
APPLICATION SUPPORT
I submitted my application by mistake so what do I do?
Contact our Certification Specialist at 425-315-5999 or via email.
After you submit your application, it is assigned to a WBEC Pacific Staff person and an automated e-mail notification is sent to this person as well with information about your application submission.
Who do I call to check the status of my certification?
The owner and the person listed as the Company contact will receive automated e-mails informing them when each step of the process has been completed.
If additional information is needed, please contact our Certification Specialist by email or by calling (503) 941-9724.
How do I download my certificate after I become WBENC certified?
Go onto WBENCLink.org and login to your profile. Then select WBE from the menu box at the left. In the sub-menus, select from high resolution “HR” or low resolution “LR” certificate versions. The HR certificate works best for printed copies, and the LR certificate works best for uploading to corporate vendor registration sites and for e-mail purposes. NOTE: A company must have a current status of Certified in order to print a certificate.
Is my certification transferable if I sell my business to another woman?
No, certification is not transferable. Certification is granted solely to the owner that applies for and successfully completes the full certification process.
What is a WBE?
A Women’s Business Enterprise, commonly referred to as a WBE, is an independent business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens; whose business formation and principal place of business are in the U.S. or its territories; and whose management and daily operation is controlled by a woman with industry expertise. NOTE: A WBE is the business, not the individual.
WBENC CERTIFICATION
What is WBENC Certification?
The WBENC certification for women-owned businesses is one of the most widely recognized and respected certifications in the nation. Accepted by hundreds of corporations within the country and a number of federal, state, and local government agencies, WBENC certification is an important marketing tool for expanding a company’s visibility among decision makers in corporate supply chain diversity and procurement organizations. WBENC is also an approved Third Party Certifier for the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program.
If you believe WBENC Certification is right for your business, WBEC-Pacific encourages you to take full advantage of the programs, services, and events that have been designed to give your company access to business opportunities.
What is the difference between WBENC and my State Certification?
The biggest difference is WBENC is a national certification and the state certification is only good within that state. So regardless where you get WBENC-certified, it is good in every state nationwide plus the US Territories such as Puerto Rico, Micronesia and Guam. Another plus is the nationwide database network of over 12,000 WBEs and hundreds of corporations such as The Boeing Company, Microsoft, Apple, Chevron, Exxon Mobil . Finally, WBENC certification is the most widely recognized and accepted certification by hundreds of U.S. corporations, as well as select federal, state and local government agencies.
What exactly does it mean to be "a WBENC-Certified WBE"?
A WBENC-certified WBE is a business concern that has gone through a rigorous and stringent certification process to confirm the business is owned, managed, and controlled by a woman or women. WBENC certified WBEs use their certification credentials to gain access to WBENC Corporate Members, as well as a number of federal, state, and local government agencies. In addition, WBENC certified WBEs also gain access to over 12,000 other WBENC-certified WBEs in order to purchase products or services and partner on joint venture opportunities. NOTE: The business is certified, not the individual.
How long is a company's certification valid?
The certification lasts for one year from the date of issue. WBEs that wish to remain certified must recertify each year. However, WBEs are encouraged to begin the recertification process 90 days prior to the expiration date.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
What documents are considered as acceptable proof of gender and citizenship?
Acceptable documents include a birth certificate or passport.
Can a woman and a man own the company jointly?
Yes, a woman and a man can own the company jointly; however, a woman or women must be the majority owner(s) (at least 51% ownership) and must demonstrate that her management and control of the company, her contribution of capital and/or expertise, and her assumption of all profits and risks are commensurate with her ownership percentage. All roles need to be defined in the legal documents and a woman must also hold the highest defined office as outlined in the company’s documentation such as the by-laws.
Are there size or length-of-time in business requirements for certifiable companies?
No. There are no size or length-of-time in business requirements to apply for or obtain WBENC certification.
CERTIFICATION PROCESS
What is the Certification Process?
A brief summary of the certification process:
A business entity submits an application, along with the necessary supporting documentation, notarized sworn affidavit, and non-refundable processing fee.
The WBEC-Pacific staff does the intake and reviews all documents to make sure all of the pertinent, required documents have been received. After the file has been determined to be complete by the WBEC-Pacific staff, the application file is then referred to one of the WBEC-Pacific Certification Review Committees which meet on a monthly basis . The WBEC-Pacific Certification Committees are trained by WBENC and are Certified WBEs, Corporate, and Agency volunteers who care about the empowerment of more women business owners through this WBENC Program so they volunteer their time.
An on-site visit is conducted at a pre-determined time with the majority woman business owner.
At a subsequent Certification Review Committee meeting, following the site visit, a final determination is made regarding the applicant’s eligibility.
If certification is granted, the company’s owner will receive an automated e-mail notification telling them that they have been certified and may now access their certificate online.
A formal letter is mailed to the owner if certification is denied.
What is the processing time for certification?
The processing time is generally 90 days from the file complete date, determined by WBEC-Pacific staff.
Is there an on-site visit? Do I have to pay for it?
Yes, an on-site visit is mandatory with each initial application and must be performed every three years thereafter as part of the recertification process (or more frequently at the Certification Review Committee’s discretion). The applicant does not pay for any of the site visits. NOTE: All site visits are scheduled with the owner in advance.
Who will see my paperwork and the documents I submit?
WBEC-Pacific has a Certification Review Committee who have been trained in WBENC’s Standards & Procedures. Upon signing a Confidentiality Agreement, Committee members review the information and make recommendations regarding the certifiability of each applicant.
Who sits on the Certification Review Committees?
The trained Certification Review Committee consists of Corporate and WBE volunteers. These volunteers have been trained in WBENC’s Standards & Procedures. Committee member names are not disclosed to the public, and they are required to excuse themselves if they have knowledge of a given applicant, whether as a supplier, customer, or competitor.
How am I assured of the confidentiality of my documents after I send them?
All submitted documents are treated with the utmost confidentiality. In addition, all files are kept under lock and key in a file room which is only accessible by WBEC Pacific staff members. During the Certification Review Committee meetings, the file is reviewed by the Committee. Any Committee member in a competitive industry does not have access to the file, nor are they present during any discussion of your application or voting. Additionally, staff and Committee members sign WBENC Confidentiality Disclosure statements agreeing to keep all information confidential and proprietary with the understanding that any disclosure could cause harm to the applicant. WBEC-Pacific takes your privacy and the confidentiality of your information very seriously.
Why do I have to submit my company's financial information?
Financial documents, such as the Profit & Loss Statement, provide evidence that the applicant is conducting the business as described in the application. Documents such as the Balance Sheet, tax returns and the other required documents are all used collectively to verify the ownership, management, and control by the women owners. Please note that the certification process does not evaluate the company’s profitability or financial viability.
What if my bank won't give me a copy of my signature card?
In place of the bank signature card, a letter may be sent from your bank officer on the bank’s letterhead informing WBENC and WBEC-Pacific of the authorized signatures on the bank account(s) and any stipulations placed on the account(s), e.g., two signatures required on all checks.
What if I don't have a document that is required?
Please submit a letter, along with the other required documentation, stating which documents do not apply and why. NOTE: There is a difference between a document that does not apply and a document that has not been created. If it can be created, it should be.
Regarding corporation required meeting minutes, if I am the only owner, what do I need to have an annual meeting?
According to most by-laws, the shareholders of record are required to meet annually in order to be in compliance with their own by-laws. If you do not hold an actual meeting, it is to your benefit to have something on file that states you waived the annual meeting.