WOSB/EDWOSB Certification Guide
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program provides set-aside opportunities for businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by women. The program helps women-owned firms compete for federal contracts in industries where they are underrepresented.
This guide covers the different certification paths, eligibility requirements for WOSB and EDWOSB status, NAICS code restrictions, and a walkthrough of the SBA Certify.gov application process.
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1. Certification Paths
As of 2024, there are two accepted paths to WOSB/EDWOSB certification for set-aside eligibility. Self-certification is no longer sufficient.
SBA Certification (Certify.gov)
Apply directly through the SBA's Certify.gov portal. This is the most common path and is free of charge. The SBA reviews your application and makes the certification determination. Processing typically takes 15 to 30 business days.
- ● No cost
- ● 15-30 business day processing
- ● Direct SBA review
- ● Same portal as 8(a), HUBZone, VetCert
Third-Party Certification
Apply through an SBA-approved third-party certifier. Several organizations are approved to certify WOSBs and EDWOSBs. Third-party certification is accepted equally to SBA certification for set-aside eligibility.
- ● Fees vary by certifier ($1,000-$3,000 typical)
- ● 2-6 week processing
- ● May offer additional support services
- ● Approved certifiers listed on SBA.gov
Regardless of certification path, you must also be registered in SAM.gov with accurate WOSB or EDWOSB representations. Your SAM.gov registration and your certification must be consistent — discrepancies can result in eligibility challenges.
2. WOSB Eligibility Requirements
51% Women Ownership
One or more women must unconditionally and directly own at least 51% of the business. The ownership must be genuine and not merely held for the benefit of someone else. Trust ownership is acceptable only if the women are the trust beneficiaries and control the trust. For corporations, women must own at least 51% of each class of voting stock and 51% of the aggregate of all stock. For LLCs, women must hold at least 51% of membership interest.
Management and Control
Women must hold the highest officer position (CEO, President, or equivalent) and manage the day-to-day business operations. Women must make long-term strategic decisions for the business, control financial decisions including access to business bank accounts, and have the authority to hire and fire personnel. Non-women officers, partners, or board members cannot have authority that overrides or limits the women owners' management control.
Small Business Size
The firm must qualify as small under SBA size standards for the NAICS code assigned to the contract being pursued. Size status includes consideration of affiliates — businesses connected through common ownership, management, or contractual relationships.
U.S. Citizenship
Each woman claiming ownership for WOSB eligibility must be a U.S. citizen. Permanent residents (green card holders) do not qualify for WOSB ownership purposes. The citizenship requirement applies to each individual woman whose ownership is counted toward the 51% threshold.
3. EDWOSB Additional Requirements
EDWOSB status requires meeting all WOSB eligibility requirements plus demonstrating that the women owners are economically disadvantaged. Economic disadvantage is evaluated based on personal financial metrics.
Economic Disadvantage Thresholds
- ●Personal net worth: Less than $850,000 (excluding primary residence equity and equity in the applicant business)
- ●Adjusted gross income: Three-year average of $400,000 or less
- ●Total assets: Less than $6.5 million (including personal and business assets)
These thresholds mirror the economic disadvantage requirements for the 8(a) program. If you already hold 8(a) certification, you automatically qualify as economically disadvantaged for EDWOSB purposes. The SBA considers the totality of circumstances when evaluating economic disadvantage, including access to credit, assets, and income.
EDWOSB status is valuable because it opens access to set-asides in NAICS codes where women are “substantially underrepresented” — a broader category than the “underrepresented” designation available to WOSBs. This means more contracting opportunities in more industries.
4. NAICS Code Restrictions
Unlike 8(a) or SDVOSB set-asides, which are available across all NAICS codes, WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides are restricted to specific NAICS codes where the SBA has determined women are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented.
WOSB-Eligible NAICS Codes
WOSB set-asides are available for NAICS codes in industries where women are “underrepresented.” These include many construction, manufacturing, and professional services codes. The SBA determines underrepresentation by comparing the proportion of women-owned businesses in an industry to their proportion in the general business population.
EDWOSB-Eligible NAICS Codes
EDWOSB set-asides cover a broader range of NAICS codes — those where women are “substantially underrepresented.” This includes additional codes in IT services, professional and scientific services, manufacturing, and other sectors not covered by the WOSB-only list.
Checking Your NAICS Codes
Before applying for WOSB or EDWOSB certification, verify that the NAICS codes for your business are on the eligible list. The complete list is published in the Code of Federal Regulations (13 CFR 121.507) and is available on SBA.gov. If your primary NAICS code is not eligible for WOSB set-asides, certification may still be useful for subcontracting goals and past performance building, but you would not be able to compete for WOSB set-aside prime contracts under that code.
5. Certify.gov Walkthrough
The SBA manages WOSB/EDWOSB certification through the Certify.gov portal. Here is what to expect during the application process.
Required Documents for Upload
- ●Articles of incorporation, operating agreement, or partnership agreement
- ●Bylaws or membership agreements
- ●Stock certificates or membership certificates showing women's ownership
- ●Personal financial statement of each women owner (for EDWOSB)
- ●Three years of personal tax returns (for EDWOSB)
- ●Business tax returns (most recent year)
- ●Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or passport)
- ●Resume of each women owner showing management role
Create your Certify.gov account, link your SAM.gov entity using your UEI, and select the WOSB or EDWOSB certification program. Complete each section of the application, upload your documents, and submit. You can save and return to your application at any time before submission. After submission, monitor the portal for status updates and respond promptly to any SBA requests for additional information.
6. Benefits and Contracting Goals
The federal government has a 5% statutory goal for WOSB contract awards. In recent years, the government has met or exceeded this target, directing billions of dollars to women-owned small businesses.
WOSB Set-Aside Contracts
Compete only against other certified WOSBs for set-aside procurements in eligible NAICS codes, facing significantly reduced competition.
WOSB Sole-Source Awards
Contracting officers can award sole-source contracts to WOSBs up to $4.5 million for services and $7 million for manufacturing.
Subcontracting Opportunities
Prime contractors actively seek certified WOSBs to meet WOSB subcontracting plan goals, creating additional revenue channels.
Multiple Certification Benefits
WOSB can be combined with other certifications like 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB for maximum contracting flexibility and access to multiple set-aside pools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?
Both WOSB and EDWOSB require 51% women ownership and women in management control. EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business) has the additional requirement that the women owners demonstrate economic disadvantage, meaning personal net worth under $850,000 (excluding primary residence and business equity), average adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less over three years, and total assets under $6.5 million. EDWOSB status opens access to a broader range of NAICS codes for set-aside contracts. WOSB set-asides are limited to industries where women are underrepresented, while EDWOSB set-asides apply to industries where women are substantially underrepresented.
Can I self-certify as a WOSB?
As of October 2024, self-certification is no longer sufficient for WOSB set-aside eligibility. All WOSBs and EDWOSBs must be certified through the SBA (via Certify.gov) or by an SBA-approved third-party certifier to compete for WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside contracts. You can still represent yourself as women-owned in SAM.gov for informational purposes, but set-aside eligibility requires formal certification. Firms that were previously self-certified need to obtain SBA or third-party certification to maintain their set-aside eligibility.
Which NAICS codes are eligible for WOSB set-asides?
WOSB set-asides are only available for NAICS codes where SBA has determined that women are underrepresented. EDWOSB set-asides apply to NAICS codes where women are substantially underrepresented. The SBA publishes the full list of eligible NAICS codes in the Federal Register, and the list is updated periodically. Not all NAICS codes are eligible for WOSB or EDWOSB set-asides. Before applying, verify that your primary NAICS code is on the eligible list. You can check the current list at SBA.gov or through the Certify.gov portal.
How long does WOSB certification take?
SBA certification through Certify.gov typically takes 15 to 30 business days for complete applications. Third-party certifiers may have different processing times, generally ranging from 2 to 6 weeks depending on the certifier and the complexity of your business structure. Preparing your documentation in advance and ensuring your SAM.gov registration is current will help streamline the process. Incomplete applications or those requiring additional documentation will take longer.
Find WOSB Set-Aside Contracts
Search for WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside opportunities across all federal agencies. Filter by your NAICS codes, agency, and contract value.