While requirements will vary depending on the certifying organization, your business generally needs to be at least 51 percent woman-owned and operated to qualify for the benefits afforded to women-owned businesses.

Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) aims to award at least 5 percent of federal contracting dollars to certified women-owned small businesses (WOSB). To gain access to those contracts, your business must be WOSB certified, meaning it qualifies as a small business according to the SBA standards, is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens and has a woman managing day-to-day-operations.

Another certifying organization is the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a nonprofit that’s committed to helping women-owned businesses succeed. If your business is at least 51 percent owned, operated and managed by a woman or women, you can become WBE certified. Certification allows access to an extensive network of support, education programs, mentorship opportunities and increased visibility in corporate and government supply chains.