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What is WBENC and how does it differ from my local/regional affiliate?
What is a WBE?
What are the benefits of certification?
Is there a size or length-of-time in business requirement for certifiable companies?
What is the fee for certification?
What is the processing time for certification?
What is the certification process?
Why do I have to supply my company's financial information?
What if I don't have a document that is required?
What if my bank won't give me a copy of my signature card?
What documents are considered as acceptable proof of gender and citizenship?
I am the only owner … Why do I need to have an annual meeting?
Who will see the paperwork and documents I submit?
Who sits on the Certification Review Committees?
How long is a company's certification valid?
How do I download my company's certificate?
How do I recertify my business and will my company have to re-submit all of the same documentation?
Is recertification automatic?
My company applied for recertification early - will the expiration date change?
Is there an on-site visit? Do I have to pay for that?
Can a woman and a man own the company jointly?
Is my certification transferable if I sell my business to another woman?
Who do I call to check the status of my certification?
How am I assured of the confidentiality of my documents once I send them?
What is the difference between WBENC certification and my state's certification?
I did not submit my application within the 90 days allowed, what do I do?
What is WBENC and how does it differ from my local/regional affiliate?
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council, commonly referred to as WBENC, is the leading authority on and certifying organization for women business enterprises (WBEs) in the U.S. and U.S. territories. One of the most widely recognized and accepted certifications in the nation, WBENC's certification is accepted by hundreds of U.S. corporations, as well as select federal, state and local government agencies. WBENC is headquartered in Washington, DC with 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) throughout the U.S. Each RPO processes certification applications on behalf of WBENC and adheres to WBENC's stringent Standards and Procedures to maintain the integrity of WBENC's Certification Program. GWBC® is an RPO of WBENC and serves Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
What is a WBE?
A women business enterprise, commonly referred to as a WBE, is an independent business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens, whose business formation and principal place of business are in the U.S. or its territories, and whose management and daily operation is controlled by a woman with industry expertise. NOTE: A WBE is the business, not the individual.
What are the benefits of certification?
The WBENC certification should be used as a marketing tool for your company. It is, by no means, a guarantee of business. It is the WBEs responsibility to become engaged with GWBC® and WBENC to increase their exposure amongst corporations and build relationship that may lead to potential contracts. You will only get as much from the certification as you put into it.
Is there a size or length-of-time in business requirement for certifiable companies?
No. There is no size or length-of-time in business requirements to apply for or obtain WBENC certification.
What is the fee for certification?
GWBC® has an initial non-refundable processing fee for all new and recertification applicants which must be submitted with the mandatory documentation in order for the Certification Manager to begin processing the file. The processing fee is based on the applicants reported gross revenues from your income tax and/ or end of the year financial statements. All applicable fees will be based upon the reported year and may vary depending upon an increase or decrease in your company's revenues. For frequently asked questions regarding the processing fee, click here. Once documents have been received, the fee is non-refundable. The "non-refundable policy" applies to applications that are accepted and/or denied, as well as applications that were not completed or withdrawn prior to final determination.
Annual Gross Revenue Non-Refundable Processing Fee
0 - $999K $350
$1M - $4.9M $500
$5M - $9.9M $750
$10M and up $1000
*Revenues based on reported tax returns and/or financial statements
What is the processing time for certification?
The processing time is generally 90 days from the date the applicant’s file is deemed complete by GWBC®.
What is the certification process?
A brief summary of certification process is as follows:
1. A business entity submits an application, along with the necessary supporting documentation, notarized sworn affidavit and non-refundable processing fee.
2. GWBC® has a trained Certification Review Committee that meets on a monthly basis. Once the applicant's file is complete (meaning all documentation pertinent to the business and legal structure has been received), the application packet is reviewed by the Certification Review Committee.
3. An on-site visit is conducted at a pre-determined time with the majority woman business owner(s).
4. At a subsequent Certification Review Committee meeting, following the site visit, a final determination is made regarding the applicant's eligibility.
a. If certification is granted, the company's owner and assigned contact will receive an automated e-mail notification telling them that they have been certified and may now access their certificate online.
b. A formal letter is mailed to the owner if certification is denied.
Why do I have to supply my company's financial information?
Financial documents, such as the Profit & Loss Statement, provide evidence that the applicant is conducting the business as described in the application. Documents such as the Balance Sheet and tax returns are used collectively to verify the ownership, management, and control by the women owners. Please note that the certification process does not evaluate the company's profitability or financial viability.
What if I don't have a document that is required?
Please submit a letter, along with the other required documentation, stating which documents do not apply and why. NOTE: There is a difference between a document that does not apply and a document that has not been created. If it can be created, it should be.
What if my bank won't give me a copy of my signature card?
In place of the bank signature card, a letter may be sent from your bank officer on the bank's letterhead informing WBENC and GWBC® of the authorized signatures on the bank account(s) and any stipulations placed on the account(s), e.g., two signatures required on all checks.
What documents are considered as acceptable proof of gender and citizenship?
Acceptable documents include a birth certificate or passport; however it is important that a photo ID is supplied with the paperwork, either by drivers license or passport. Legal Resident Alien status (a legal resident alien card is required.
I am the only owner … Why do I need to have an annual meeting?
According to most by-laws, the shareholders of record are required to meet annually in order to be in compliance with their own by-laws. If you do not hold an actual meeting, it is to your benefit to have something on file that states you waived the annual meeting.
Who will see the paperwork and documents I submit?
GWBC has a Certification Review Committee, who have been trained in WBENC's Standards & Procedures. Upon signing a Confidentiality Agreement, committee members review the information and make recommendations regarding the certifiability of each applicant.
Who sits on the Certification Review Committees?
The trained Certification Review Committees consists of corporate and WBE volunteers. These volunteers have been trained in WBENC's Standards & Procedures. Committee member names are not disclosed to the public, and they are required to excuse themselves if they have knowledge of a given applicant, whether as a supplier, customer, or competitor.
How long is a company's certification valid?
The certification lasts for one year from the date of issue. WBEs that wish to remain certified must recertify each year. However, WBEs are encouraged to begin the recertification process 90 days prior to the expiration date.
How do I download my company's certificate?
Go onto www.WBENCLink.org and log into your profile; select WBE from the menu box at the left. In the sub-menu, select from high resolution "HR" or low resolution "LR" certificate versions. The HR certificate works best for printed copies, and the LR certificate works best for uploading to corporate vendor registration sites and for e-mail purposes. NOTE: A company must have a current status of Certified in order to print a certificate.
How do I recertify my business and will my company have to re-submit all of the same documentation?
The recertification process is much simpler, and all the initial documents are not required. However, WBENC requests updated financial information, board meeting minutes, if applicable, and any supporting documents to support changes that may have occurred in either ownership or management of the business.
Is recertification automatic?
No. Recertification is not automatic. The owner is sent a courtesy reminder 90 days prior to the expiration date of the company's certification. However, WBENC does not guarantee receipt of the reminder e-mail and recommends the WBE marks its calendar as a reminder to begin the process 90 days prior to its expiration date.
My company applied for recertification early - will the expiration date change?
No, the certification is valid for a period of one year. It is not a rolling 12 months.
Is there an on-site visit? Do I have to pay for that?
Yes, an on-site visit is mandatory for each initial application and must be performed every three years thereafter as part of the recertification process (or more frequently as determined by the Certification Review Committee). The applicant does not pay for any of the site visits. NOTE: All site visits are scheduled with the owner in advance.
Can a woman and a man own the company jointly?
Yes, a woman and a man can own the company jointly; however, the woman must be the majority owner (at least 51% ownership) and must demonstrate that her management and control of the company, her contribution of capital and/or expertise, and her assumption of all profits and risks are commensurate with her ownership percentage. A woman must also hold the highest office as outlined in the company's documentation.
Is my certification transferable if I sell my business to another woman?
No, certification is not transferable. Certification is granted solely to the owner that applies and successfully completes the full certification process.
Who do I call to check the status of my certification?
The owner and the person listed as the company contact will receive automated e-mails informing them when each step of the process has been completed. If additional information is needed, please contact your Certification Manager.
How am I assured of the confidentiality of my documents once I send them?
All submitted documents are treated with the utmost confidentiality. In addition, all files are kept under lock and key. Only GWBC® staff members have access to these files. During the Certification Review Committee meetings, the file is reviewed by the committee. Any committee members in a competitive industry do not have access to the file, nor are they present during any discussion of your application. Additionally, staff andcCommittee members sign Confidentiality Disclosure statements agreeing to keep all information confidential and proprietary with the understanding that any disclosure could cause harm to the applicant. GWBC® takes your privacy and the confidentiality of your information very seriously.
What is the difference between WBENC certification and my state's certification?
A state certification, in most cases, is only good for doing business with that state's government agencies. WBENC certification is primarily for companies that are targeting major corporations; however, WBENC certification is also recognized by some federal and local governments.
I did not submit my application within the 90 days allowed, what do I do?
Register as a new user. The system purges all files that have exceeded their expiration date by 92 days, a recertification application, and/or supporting documents have not been submitted. If you experience difficulty, please contact support@wbenc.org.
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