Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Certification: The Full Guide

The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program was established to increase contracting opportunities for women entrepreneurs in industries where they are underrepresented. Through WOSB set-asides, eligible firms compete exclusively against other certified WOSBs, dramatically reducing competition compared to full-and-open solicitations.

WOSB vs. EDWOSB

There are two tiers of certification. A WOSB (Woman-Owned Small Business) must be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens. An EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged WOSB) adds an economic disadvantage threshold — the women owners must have personal net worth below $850,000, adjusted gross income below $400,000 (three-year average), and personal assets below $6.5 million. EDWOSB set-asides are more exclusive and less competitive than WOSB set-asides.

Eligible NAICS Codes

WOSB set-asides apply only to specific NAICS codes where women are underrepresented in federal contracting. The SBA publishes and periodically updates this list. Browse our NAICS code pages to understand the landscape of eligible industries and which ones have the strongest set-aside activity.

The Application Process

Apply through certify.sba.gov. Required documentation includes articles of incorporation or organization, operating agreement, personal financial statements for all women owners, and three years of business tax returns. The SBA reviews control as well as ownership — women must demonstrably manage day-to-day operations.

Certification vs. Self-Certification

Prior to 2020, WOSB status could be self-certified in SAM.gov or certified by approved third parties. The SBA eliminated self-certification for WOSB program eligibility. SBA certification through certify.sba.gov is now required to compete in WOSB set-aside competitions. Your WOSB status is then reflected in your SAM.gov CAGE code record.

Practical Tips for WOSB Competitors

Research agency buying patterns in your primary NAICS codes on FedAtlas.com before investing heavily in WOSB pipeline development. Some agencies award heavily in WOSB set-asides; others rarely use them. Decode competitor CAGE codes on our CAGE Code Decoder to understand the certified WOSB landscape in your target agencies and geographies. WOSB certifications can also be combined with 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB certifications for maximum set-aside coverage.