National Certification as a Women's Business Enterprise
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) provides the most widely recognized and respected certification in the United States for women's business enterprises (WBE). Through Women Presidents' Educational Organization (WPEO), a partner organization of WBENC, your business can apply for a certification that is accepted by over 700 major corporations, non-profit organizations, as well as many local, state, and Federal government agencies. WBENC certification is an important marketing tool for expanding your company's visibility among and access to decision makers in supplier diversity and procurement offices. Many corporations require that you be WBENC-certified before providing access to their supplier diversity programs.

Benefits of Certification
As a certified WBE, you will be entitled to:

• List your business profile in WBENCLink, an internet database that is accessed by hundreds of corporations throughout the United States
• Have access to a directory of corporations accepting WBENC certification
• Use a special WBENC seal on your letterhead, business cards, and other marketing materials
• Participate in networking events, matchmaker meetings and trade shows with other WBEs, corporate and government buyers
• Become a member of the local Forum, which advocates on behalf of WBEs and facilitates corporate business opportunities
  

Additionally, WBENC has several exclusive initiatives for WBEs including WEBuy@wbenc.org, an electronic marketplace utilized by corporate members, government agencies and other WBEs to post RFPs and RFIs, scholarships for executive management programs including the Tuck/WBENC Executive Management Program,and the nation's largest conference and business fair for WBE's.

Certification Criteria
1. At least fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women
2. Proof of effective management and control of the business
3. Documented evidence of contribution of capital and/or expertise
4. U.S. Citizenship or Legal Resident Alien status

WPEO maintains a stringent screening process under the guidelines of WBENC's Standards & Procedures, which ensures that all firms are legitimately owned, managed, and controlled by women. All applicants are encouraged to read WBENC's Standards & Procedures www.wbenc.org.

The Application Process
You may review WBENC's certification criteria, application instructions and apply online by visiting http://www.wbenc.org/GetCertified/CertificationProcess.aspx. Once your completed application has been submitted online, you will receive electronic notification from the website and from WPEO instructing you where to mail your supporting documentation and non-refundable processing fee. The process takes approximately 90 days once the application and all documentation have been received. The certification is valid for a period of one year, at which time you must submit a recertification application and affidavit to ensure the continuity of your certified status. An on-site visit is conducted initially and every third year, at a minimum. The processing fee for certification is $350.