What Are MBE, WBE and DBE

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) are minority certification programs implemented at the State, City and County level.

What Are The Benefits of being Certified as MBE, WBE & DBE

These certifications provide minority Small Businesses with the opportunity of being considered ahead of other businesses when it comes to doing business with the State, City or County. 

In some cases these organizations may also receive financial assistance in the form of low interest rate loans.

Becoming MBE, WBE & DBE Certified

State certification for the most part is managed by the States Department of Transportation.  Many States have what is called a Unified Application Process, which enables you to file one application and be certified with other municipalities (e.g. City & Counties).  Also, if you already have a 8(a)/SDB certification many States have a streamlined process for DBE certification.

Many Cities do not have a Disadvantaged Business Certification program.

Be aware that some municipalities require a filing fee.  The processing time and paperwork required depends on the municipality. 

Use the links below to get specific information and file your application.

 

State Certification Programs

County Certification Programs

City Certification Programs

Other Resources

Alabama

 

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Alaska

 

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

 

Arizona
-ADOT

 

Maricopa  MBE/WBE/SBE

 

Maricopa (Dept of Transportation) DBE  

 

Pima MBE / WBE

 

Pima (Procurement Department)

City of Phoenix MBE/WBE/SBE

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Arkansas

 

 

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

California

Contra Costa County

 

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

 

Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Colorado
- unified

Colorado County

Denver

Rocky Mountain Supplier Development Council

 

Colorado Minority Business Office

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Connecticut

 

 

 

Delaware

 

 

 

Florida

Miami County

Broward County

Tampa City

Miami City

 

Florida Minority Development Council

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Georgia

 

 

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Hawaii

 

 

Hawaii Women’s Business Center

Idaho

 

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Illinois

 

Cook County

 

Chicago

 

IL Women Business Development Center

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Indiana

 

Indianapolis

Indiana Regional Minority Supplier Development Council

Iowa
-DOT

 

 

 

Kentucky

 

 

Minority Business Advisory Council

Louisiana

 

 

Louisiana Minority Business Council

Maine

 

 

 

Maryland

 

Baltimore

MBE/WBE Directory

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Massachusetts

 

 

Boston

 

 

Michigan

 

Detroit

Grand Rapids

Michigan Minority Development Center

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Minnesota

Same

Same

Minnesota Minority Supplier Development Council

 

National Association of Women Business Owners

 

Small Business Development Center

 

MN Grants for developing new businesses

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Mississippi

 

 

Mississippi Minority Business Enterprise Loan Program

 

Mississippi Minority Business Micro Loan Program

Missouri

 

St. Louis

Missouri Women’s Council

 

Missouri Minority/Women Business Enterprise Directory

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Montana

 

 

 

Nebraska

 

 

 

New Hampshire

 

 

 

New Jersey

 

 

New York/New Jersey Supplier Development Council

New Mexico

 

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

New York

Regional Certification Programs

New York  City

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Nevada

 

 

 

 

North Carolina

 

Raleigh

Minority Business Enterprise Center

North Dakota

 

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Ohio

 

Springfield

Cleveland

 

Oklahoma

 

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Oregon

 

 

 

Pennsylvania

 

Philadelphia

DBE Supportive Service Center

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Rhode Island

 

 

 

South Carolina

 

 

South Carolina Women’s Business Center

 

South Carolina Minority Supplier Development Council

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

South Dakota

 

 

 

Tennessee

 

Memphis

Knoxville

Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO)

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Texas

North Central Texas Regional Certification

 

Central & South Texas Minority Business Council

Houston

Dallas /Forth Worth

 

Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance

 

Women’s Business Council

 

Women Contractors Association

 

Tri-county Black Chamber of Commerce

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Utah

 

 

 

Vermont

 

 

 

Virginia

 

 

Virginia Department of Business Assistance

West Virginia

 

 

WV Minority Business Development Center

Washington

 

 

Minority Business Enterprise Center

Wisconsin

 

Milwaukee

 

Wyoming