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GET STARTED: The Certification Process |
Federal Program:
EDWOSB |
Federal Program:
WOSB |
STEP ONE: Get Started
- Bookmark this page for future reference.
- Bookmark
http://www.uswcc.org/mycertification. You will
return to this page to view the status of your certification
application process. (You must be logged in at the USWCC
website to view this page. Information and updates will be
posted here by the USWCC Certification Team after you begin the
certification process.)
- Download and print the checklist: The
Certification Checklist includes a complete
list of your required documents and other important details of
the certification process. Print this checklist and use it
to track your progress.
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TIP: We strongly recommend you review the requirements for this program prior to beginning the application process.
Go to the SBA's website for the WOSB/EDWOSB program for details.
Download and read the Compliance Guide. |
TIP: We strongly recommend you review the requirements for this program prior to beginning the application process.
Go to the SBA's website for the WOSB/EDWOSB program for details.
Download and read the Compliance Guide. |
STEP TWO: Preliminary Acknowledgements
Complete the appropriate Preliminary Acknowledgements online form and
provide eSignature.
TIP: The first time
you use HelloSign (our secure, web-based document completion/signature
system), you will be asked to provide your email address.
HelloSign will send you an email to verify you and begin the process to
enable your completion and signature of our forms. |
Complete the
Preliminary Acknowledgements for the EDWOSB certification. |
Complete the
Preliminary Acknowledgements for the WOSB certification. |
STEP THREE: Payment for Services
Our certification services fees are $275 for U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce Business and Business Plus Members; $350 for Non-Members.
If you are not currently a member, you may go here to join now and save
on your certification.
When you pay for and complete the EDWOSB or WOSB first, your
certification payment will also cover charges for the NWBE and/or IWBE
certification.
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Complete payment for EDWOSB certification.
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Complete payment for WOSB certification. |
STEP FOUR: Application
Complete the application for your certification type and submit with
your eSignature.
We strongly suggest you complete by hand
a printed version of the application document prior to
completing the online form and eSignature. Once
you start completing the application online, you must fully complete and
sign the document during one session. You may not return to the
document later. If you do
not complete the document and signature in one setting, you will need to
START OVER.
Download a sample of the EDWOSB Application.
Download a sample of the WOSB Application. |
Complete the EDWOSB certification application.
Important: Each woman owner claiming economic disadvantage
must also complete and provide the following additional documents.
Personal Financial Disclosures
SBA Form 413, Personal Financial Statement |
Complete the WOSB certification application. |
STEP FIVE: Supporting Documents
Upload the required supporting documents using our secure service. |
Upload the required supporting documents for the EDWOSB certification.
TIP:
Download a list of required documents. |
Upload the required supporting documents for the WOSB certification.
TIP:
Download a list of required documents. |
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STEP SIX: Verification of
Application Completeness & Acceptance for Examination
The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce Certification Team will review everything you have submitted for completeness before accepting your application for examination.
Possible Actions:
- Notification of Application Deficiency: If anything is missing, you will be notified via email of deficiencies in your application. Acceptance of your application and examination will not begin until all elements of the application are complete.
- Acceptance of Application for Examination: If everything is complete, you will be notified via email that your application has been accepted for review.
TIP: When the USWCC Certification Team issues
either a "Notification of Application Deficiency" or an Application
Acceptance letter, we will place a link to these notifications at
https://www.uswcc.org/mycertification.
Our certification team will also note
where you are in the overall process at this secure webpage. You
must be logged in to view the information for your firm. We
strongly recommend you bookmark this link.
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STEP SEVEN: Examination
Primary Examination: After the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce
Certification Team issues a notice that your application has been
accepted for examination, we will schedule your exam with a Primary
Examiner.
Secondary Examination: For quality assurance
purposes, after your application has been reviewed by the Primary
Examiner assigned to your case, your application is also reviewed by a
Secondary Examiner.
Possible Actions:
- Additional Information Request:
During the exam period, our Application Examiners may issue a
request for additional information. This request may include additional
documents or answers to specific questions about your firm,
management, financial and/or legal status. If you receive an
Application Information Request, please answer this request promptly
(see "Timeliness" in the TIPS below) and notify our Certification Team when you are done.
- Completion of Examination by both Primary and
Secondary Examiners. When both examiners
complete the examinations of your application, a determination is
made regarding the approval or denial of certification. Occasionally, during this phase of the process, either examiner may
request additional information from the Applicant.
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STEP EIGHT: Findings
Announced After the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce
Certification Team makes a final determination regarding your
certification application, findings are issued. You will receive a
notification of the outcome and this information will also be posted for
you at https://www.uswcc.org/mycertification.
Possible Actions:
- Award: If your firm is awarded a
certification, you will receive a notification letter and a formal
certification document to be used as evidence of your certification. If you have received either the Federal EDWOSB or the WOSB
certifications and would also like to secure the U.S. Women's
Chamber of Commerce NWBE and/or IWBE, our certification team will
help you complete the additional required application information.
- Denial: If your firm is denied
certification, you will receive a notification letter including
details of the reason(s) for your denial and information related to
your option to appeal the ruling within thirty days.
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ANNUAL RENEWAL
After you secure your certification,
please follow these procedures to
renew annually.
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