Certification guides
Federal small-business certifications, state by state
What 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSB certification require, what each one unlocks in federal contracting, and where to get free help applying in each state BidRover covers. Every rule links to SBA or the regulation.
Facts checked
The four SBA certifications
8(a)For small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged U.S. citizens.HUBZoneFor small businesses with their principal office in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone and at least 35% of employees living in one.WOSBFor small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens.SDVOSBFor small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans with a service-connected disability.
How they compare
Since October 1, 2025 the federal micro-purchase threshold is $15,000 and the simplified acquisition threshold $350,000. Under the Small Business Act, purchases between the two are reserved for small businesses when at least two can compete, so that range is where most small-business set-asides start.
| Program | Based on | Term | Federal goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8(a) | Socially and economically disadvantaged owners | 9 years, once | 5% (small disadvantaged businesses) |
| HUBZone | Office and 35% of employees in HUBZones | No limit; recertify every 3 years | 3% |
| WOSB / EDWOSB | 51% women-owned and controlled | No limit | 5% |
| SDVOSB | 51% owned by service-disabled veterans | 3-year certification | 5% |
By state
Sources
- sam.gov/entity-registration
- certifications.sba.gov/
- sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program
- federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/19/2023-15078/
- ecfr.gov/current/title-13/part-124/section-124.107
- sba.gov/article/2025/02/24/sba-administrator-loeffler-issues-memo-day-one-priorities
- sba.gov/article/2026/01/28/sba-suspends-over-1000-8a-firms-program-following-december-document-request
- federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/11/2026-16370/
- acquisition.gov/far/2.101
- uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section644&num=0&edition=prelim
- sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program
- maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map
- ecfr.gov/current/title-13/part-126/section-126.500
- sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contract-program
- federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/11/2020-09022/
- acquisition.gov/far/19.1506
- sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-contracting-assistance-programs
- sba.gov/article/2024/01/09/sba-marks-one-year-anniversary-veteran-small-business-certification-program
- congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670