WOSB certification in Texas
WOSB is a federal SBA certification with the same rules in every state. This guide covers what differs in Texas: the SBA offices and APEX Accelerators that help you apply, the state programs that sit alongside it, and how many open Texas bids there are now.
Facts checked
The short answer
To get WOSB certified in Texas, register in SAM.gov, confirm you meet SBA's rules for small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens, and apply free on MySBA Certifications. Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator (UT Arlington) helps Texas businesses apply at no cost.
Changed recently in Texas
Texas converted its HUB program to VetHUB under rules effective May 12, 2026; minority- and women-owned HUB certifications were revoked, so women- and minority-owned firms no longer have a state HUB certification.[20]
Step by step
- 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]
- 02
Check WOSB eligibility
The business must be small and at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens; women must manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions.[3]
- 03
Get free help in Texas
Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator (UT Arlington) or UTRGV APEX Accelerator (UT Rio Grande Valley): free counseling on SAM.gov, certification and bidding.[14][15]
- 04
Apply on MySBA Certifications
SBA's application at certifications.sba.gov is free; approved third-party certifiers charge a fee.[2]
- 05
Register with Texas too
WOSB covers federal contracts. To sell to Texas agencies, register on Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) ($70 a year).
Free help in Texas
APEX Accelerators, funded by the Department of Defense, help with registration, certification and bids. SBA district offices run certification outreach and answer program questions.
APEX Accelerators
SBA district offices
Texas programs alongside WOSB
None of the Texas programs we verified is specific to small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens, so WOSB is the main certification to pursue. Texas's other state programs are listed below.
- VetHUB (formerly HUB), Texas Comptroller, Statewide Procurement Division. Limited to businesses at least 51% owned and operated by Texas-resident service-disabled veterans.[16]
Transportation work: DBE certification
Highway, transit and airport contracts paid with U.S. DOT funds use Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification, issued in Texas by the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) (TxDOT and partner cities and transit agencies). It is separate from WOSB. Since October 3, 2025, DBE applicants no longer qualify by race or sex presumption: each owner submits a personal narrative of disadvantage and a personal net worth statement, under a $2,047,000 cap, and existing DBEs are being reevaluated.[17][18][19]
Open bids in Texas
136 open bids in Texas right now; 0 name WOSB in the title.
No open bids right now. Browse all open bids
What WOSB gets you
- WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides are allowed only in NAICS codes SBA lists as underrepresented for women-owned firms.[3]
- Sole-source awards are allowed up to $8.5 million for manufacturing and $5.5 million for other work when two or more offers are not expected.[5]
- The government-wide goal is 5% of prime contract dollars to women-owned small businesses.[3]
Related guides
Questions
Is WOSB certification different in Texas?
No. WOSB is a federal SBA certification with the same rules in every state, and it applies to federal contracts, including federal work performed in Texas. Texas state and local contracts follow Texas's own programs.
Where can I get free help with WOSB in Texas?
Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator (UT Arlington) and UTRGV APEX Accelerator (UT Rio Grande Valley) offer free government-contracting counseling, and Texas is served by 6 SBA district offices: Dallas / Fort Worth District Office, El Paso District Office, Houston District Office, Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office, San Antonio District Office, West Texas District Office.
Does Texas have its own certification like WOSB?
None of the Texas programs we verified is specific to small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens. Texas's state programs are VetHUB (formerly HUB).
How many open Texas bids mention WOSB?
BidRover lists 136 open bids in Texas; 0 of them name WOSB in the title. Most set-asides are marked in the solicitation rather than the title, so read each notice.
Sources
- sam.gov/entity-registration
- certifications.sba.gov/
- 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
- acquisition.gov/far/2.101
- uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section644&num=0&edition=prelim
- sba.gov/district/dallas-fort-worth
- sba.gov/district/el-paso
- sba.gov/district/houston
- sba.gov/district/lower-rio-grande-valley
- sba.gov/district/san-antonio
- sba.gov/district/west-texas
- uta.edu/research/centers/cross-timbers
- utrgv.edu/apex/
- comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/index.php
- txdot.gov/business/disadvantaged-small-business-enterprise.html
- federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/03/2025-19460/
- transportation.gov/mission/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise/september-2026-final-rule
- comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/hub-faq.php