Apply for New Minority & Woman Business Certification

This includes construction, contractual services, professional consulting services, and commodities.

Fees

There are no fees associated with apply for DM/DWBE Certification.

Eligibility

Businesses must meet the following eligibility qualifications:

• Principally domiciled in the State of Florida
• Minority  or woman must control the management and daily operations and own at least 51% of the firm
• Minority or woman must also hold the professional license for the business, if this is appropriate
• Employs 50 or fewer people
• Net worth of the business cannot exceed $4,000,000 or less for firms that are not in the construction industry or $5,000,000 or less for firms that are in the construction industry

Eligible minority groups:

• African-American
• Hispanic
• Asian American
• Native American
• Women are considered a minority group for the purposes of this program

Benefits

• In construction, project by project MBE goals are established for projects valued over $200,000
• An MBE Bonus Point system is used for professional consultant selection
• Periodic seminars and workshops are conducted for the firm’s benefit (such as the Small Contractor Development Program)

Things to consider

• We require certified DM/DWBEs to complete and submit the recertification/reregistration renewal application every 2 years for a review of their program eligibility status
• If you submit a timely application for recertification, you will remain certified until the MBE/SBE Division has made a new determination of eligibility

Reciprocity

Reciprocity shall be granted to MBE firms that are principally domiciled in the State of Florida and have been certified by a governmental local jurisdiction situated in the State. Reciprocity shall be for one six-month (6-month) period. Certification beyond may be granted after review of the firms certification application submitted to Hillsborough County.

How to

1. Go to our online vendor compliance system at HCFL.gov/MWSBE
2. Click the Apply for DM/DWBE Certification link
3. Click create account
4. Fill out and submit the application

What's next

We will review the application and notify you of the results.

Resources

• Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Registration
• Minority Certification and Small Business Registration are services provided at no cost to business owners

Certificación y Registro minoría pequeña empresa son los servicios proporcionados sin costo alguno para los propietarios de negocios. Uno-a-uno y asistencia en idioma español con las aplicaciones y la documentación está disponible llamando Roy Tojas al (813) 571-6996 para programar una cita.

Get help

Department: Economic Development - MBE/SBE Division
Email: MWSBE@hcfl.gov
Phone: (813) 829-2650