Timeline
30–90 days
Cost
Free
Renewal
Annual
Level
Federal
What is Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)?
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program is a federal set-aside program administered by the SBA for small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by women. WOSB set-asides are restricted to specific NAICS codes where SBA has determined that women-owned firms are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in federal contracting — covering construction, IT, professional services, healthcare, and many other sectors.
The federal government has a statutory 5% contracting goal for WOSB firms under 15 U.S.C. 637(m). Contracting officers can set aside acquisitions for WOSB-only competition in designated NAICS codes, and WOSB firms can receive sole-source awards up to $4.5 million for services and $7 million for manufacturing when competition among WOSB firms would be inadequate.
As of October 2022, all WOSB certifications go through SBA at certify.sba.gov — third-party certifiers are no longer accepted for federal set-aside eligibility. The certification is free. Firms that also meet economic disadvantage thresholds should apply for EDWOSB, which gives access to both EDWOSB and WOSB solicitations.
WOSB — Key Program Numbers
- Federal goal: 5% of all federal prime contract and subcontract dollars annually
- Sole-source limit: $4.5M services / $7M manufacturing (in designated NAICS codes)
- Administered by: SBA (Small Business Administration) via certify.sba.gov
Who qualifies for WOSB certification?
- Business is a small business under SBA size standards for its primary NAICS code
- Business is at least 51% unconditionally owned by women who are U.S. citizens
- Women owners manage day-to-day operations and hold the highest officer position
- Women owners make decisions on personnel, financial, and strategic matters
- Business's primary NAICS code is on SBA's underrepresented or substantially underrepresented list
- Business is registered and active in SAM.gov
Benefits of WOSB certification
Access to WOSB-only federal set-aside solicitations in designated NAICS codes
Sole-source contracts up to $4.5M (services) and $7M (manufacturing) in qualifying NAICS codes
Counted toward the federal government's 5% annual WOSB contracting goal — agencies are incentivized to award
Free certification through SBA — no third-party fees
Compatible with WBE state certification, which opens state and corporate supplier diversity programs
If you also meet EDWOSB economic thresholds, one application gives you dual EDWOSB + WOSB eligibility
How to apply for WOSB certification
Confirm your NAICS codes are on the SBA underrepresented list
WOSB set-asides only apply in NAICS codes SBA has designated as underrepresented or substantially underrepresented. Verify your primary NAICS code is on the current list at sba.gov/wosb before applying. The list covers thousands of codes across most major industries.
Check EDWOSB eligibility first
If your personal net worth is below $850,000, your 3-year average income is below $400,000, and your total assets are below $6.5 million, apply for EDWOSB rather than WOSB alone. EDWOSB includes WOSB eligibility — one application, dual access.
Apply at certify.sba.gov
Create or log into your account at certify.sba.gov and begin the WOSB application. Required documents: business formation documents (articles of incorporation, operating agreement), personal and business tax returns (3 years), proof of citizenship, bank signature cards, and documentation of management control.
Upload all required documents
Upload documents through the certify.sba.gov portal. Ensure all documents are legible, complete, and match what the application requests. Incomplete applications are returned and restart processing. Budget 3–5 hours for thorough completion.
Await SBA review and maintain certification
SBA processes complete applications in 30–90 days. Upon approval, WOSB status is visible in SAM.gov. Renew annually and notify SBA within 30 days of any changes to ownership, control, or business structure that could affect eligibility.
Timeline and cost
Processing time
30–90 days
Application cost
Free
Renewal
Annual
Administered by: SBA (Small Business Administration) via certify.sba.gov
Stack WOSB with other certifications
Certifications are not mutually exclusive. Holding multiple certifications simultaneously maximizes the set-aside solicitations your firm can compete for. WOSB pairs well with:
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Women's Business Enterprise (WBE)
Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
8(a) Business Development Program
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
Frequently asked questions about WOSB
SBA designates NAICS codes where women-owned firms are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in federal contracting. The list covers construction, many professional services categories, IT services, healthcare, manufacturing, and numerous other sectors. The list contains hundreds of qualifying codes. Check the current list at sba.gov/wosb — it is updated periodically.
Yes. SBA processes WOSB certifications through certify.sba.gov at no charge. Since October 2022, third-party certifiers are no longer accepted for federal set-aside purposes. Do not pay a third party to certify your WOSB status for federal contracting — go directly through SBA.
Yes. WOSB and 8(a) certifications are separate programs and can be held simultaneously. A woman-owned firm that meets 8(a) eligibility (social and economic disadvantage) can hold both certifications, opening both 8(a)-only solicitations and WOSB-only solicitations. This is one of the strongest certification stacks available in federal contracting.
Federal WOSB certification (SBA) applies only to federal contracts in designated NAICS codes. State WBE certification applies to state and local government contracts and corporate supplier diversity programs, with no NAICS restrictions. Most women business owners pursuing government contracting should hold both — SBA WOSB for federal work and a state WBE for state/local/corporate work.
WOSB set-asides are recognized at the VA, but the VA's Veteran-First Contracting Program prioritizes SDVOSB and VOSB set-asides before WOSB. A woman veteran who holds both SDVOSB and WOSB certifications has maximum flexibility — she can compete as SDVOSB at the VA while using WOSB for set-asides at other agencies.
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
BidStride provides government contract discovery tools — not legal advice. Certification eligibility requirements are subject to change. Always verify current program details at the administering agency's website and consult a procurement attorney before making certification decisions.