HUBZone certification: who qualifies and how to apply

The HUBZone program gives small businesses based in Historically Underutilized Business Zones, with at least 35% of employees living in one, access to set-asides, sole-source awards and a 10% price evaluation preference on federal contracts.

HUBZone is the only one of the four based on location rather than the owners' identity: the principal office and 35% of employees must be in HUBZones. Any qualifying owner can apply, and the program has no term limit.

1. 01

   Requirement 1

   The business must be small under SBA size standards and at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, a Native Hawaiian organization or an Indian tribe.^[3]

2. 02

   Requirement 2

   Its principal office must be in a HUBZone, and at least 35% of its employees must live in a HUBZone. Check addresses on SBA's HUBZone map.^[3][4]

• Certified firms compete for HUBZone set-asides and sole-source awards, and get a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open competitions.^[3]
• The government-wide goal is 3% of prime contract dollars for HUBZone firms.^[3]
• There is no time limit on participation; firms recertify every three years, in the 90 days before the anniversary of certification.^[5]
• 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.^[6][7]

• HUBZone maps are redrawn on a schedule; SBA's next full map update is planned for July 2028. Check your office and employee addresses on the current map before applying.^[4]

1. 01

   Register in SAM.gov

   Every certification and federal award needs an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID. Registration is free and must be renewed every 365 days.^[1]

2. 02

   Check eligibility against SBA's rules

   Confirm the firm is small for its primary NAICS code and that it meets the HUBZone requirements above, using the HUBZone map for the office and every employee's home address.

3. 03

   Apply on MySBA Certifications

   Apply at certifications.sba.gov with your office address and an employee roster showing where each employee lives.^[2]

4. 04

   Get free help from an APEX Accelerator

   APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) give free counseling on registration, certification and bidding. The state guides below list the ones serving each state.

5. 05

   Find set-asides

   On SAM.gov, filter Contract Opportunities by the HUBZone set-aside type. On BidRover, search open bids that name HUBZone in the title.

No open bid in BidRover's catalog names HUBZone in its title right now; set-aside status is usually stated inside the solicitation.

No open bids right now. Browse all open bids

The federal rules are the same everywhere. Each state guide adds the SBA district offices and APEX Accelerators serving that state, its DBE certification program and the state programs that sit alongside this one.

1. sam.gov/entity-registration
2. certifications.sba.gov/
3. sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program
4. maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map
5. ecfr.gov/current/title-13/part-126/section-126.500
6. acquisition.gov/far/2.101
7. uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section644&num=0&edition=prelim