Who is eligible?

All firms seeking MBE or WBE certification must be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by minority members and/or women.

The ownership must be real, substantial and continuing, and the minority members and/or women must exercise the authority to independently control the day-to-day business decisions.

In addition, each minority or woman upon which certification is based, must have a net worth which does not exceed 3.5 million dollars. This calculation should not include the ownership interest in the applicant firm, the primary residence of the owner(s), and $500 thousand of present cash value of any qualified retirement savings plan, or individual retirement account held by the individual less any penalties for early withdrawal.

The firm cannot exceed 300 employees, must be independent and authorized to do business in New York State.  Generally, the business must be in operation for at least one year. Click here for greater detail on qualifications.
 

Important:

It is recognized and acknowledged that the information contained in the application is given under oath. Information you are providing as part of the application for certification or re-certification is accurate, true and correct, and you are acknowledging any false statement made by the applicant will result in the denial or revocation of certification, not awarding or terminating of any contracts which may be or have been awarded, and is punishable as a Class E Felony under Section 175.35 of the Penal Law.

Where should I submit the application? 

All applications must be signed, notarized, and submitted with all required supporting documentation to the address below:

 

Empire State Development
MWBE Intake
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017

 

Note:
If you are currently certified as an MBE, WBE, MWBE, DBE or are part of the Federal 8(a) Business Development Programsyou may be able to use the Fast Track Certification Applications.

 

Standard MWBE Application

Forms to complete:

• Certification Application
  
  
  • You may complete either the Printable PDF or the Fillable PDF. Click here for instructions for the Filliable PDF.
    
    
  • If you are unsure how to answer the questions in the application, please refer to the Detailed Application Instructions
    
  
  

• Attachment A Personal Net Worth Affidavit

• Attachment B Personal Net Worth Worksheet  * Use Attachment B to determine your personal net worth, you will find detailed instructions below.

• Attachment B Worksheet Instructions

 

What to provide:

• Completed Certification Application, notarized, signed and dated with all supporting documents

• Attachment A Personal Net Worth Affidavit, signed and notarized

• Attachment B Personal Net Worth Worksheet 

• Two years of Federal and State Personal Taxes including all schedules, statements and amendments for each individual upon which certification is based.

 

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