How to Get SDVOSB Certified Through SBA VetCert

Since January 1, 2023, the U.S. Small Business Administration is the single governmentwide certifier of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. You apply once through the VetCert portal; an approved certification is valid for three years and is honored by every federal agency. This guide walks through the application end to end so you can submit a clean package the first time.

Before You Start

What you'll need

• Service-connected disability rating letter from the VA (any percentage, including 0%)
• DD-214 or other proof of veteran status
• Corporate formation documents (articles, operating agreement, bylaws)
• Ownership and stock/membership records showing 51%+ veteran ownership
• Active SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity ID

Systems used: SBA VetCert portal (veterans.certify.sba.gov) · Login.gov account · SAM.gov

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the SDVOSB eligibility rules

   Before applying, verify the business is a small business under its primary NAICS size standard and is at least 51% unconditionally and directly owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, with the day-to-day management and long-term decision-making controlled by a service-disabled veteran. The controlling veteran generally must work full-time and hold the highest officer position.

   Tip: Use the Set-Aside Eligibility Checker first — it walks the ownership, control, and disability-rating tests before you commit to a filing.

2. 2

   Register your entity in SAM.gov

   Create or confirm an active SAM.gov registration and obtain your 12-character Unique Entity ID (UEI). VetCert pulls entity information from SAM.gov, so your legal business name, address, and NAICS codes must match before you apply. SAM.gov registration is free.

3. 3

   Gather your eligibility documents

   Assemble proof of the veteran's service-connected disability (VA rating decision letter), proof of veteran status (DD-214), and the governing documents that establish ownership and control — articles of incorporation or organization, operating agreement or bylaws, stock ledger or membership interest records, and any shareholder/operating agreements. SBA reviews these to confirm the 51% ownership and control requirements.

   Tip: Watch for control 'red flags': unanimous-consent provisions, supermajority voting, or transfer restrictions that let a non-veteran block the veteran owner's decisions can sink an application.

4. 4

   Create a Login.gov account and start the application

   Access the VetCert portal at veterans.certify.sba.gov using Login.gov for authentication. Begin a new application and link it to your SAM.gov-registered entity.

5. 5

   Complete the application and upload documents

   Answer the eligibility questionnaire, identify the qualifying veteran owner(s), and upload the supporting documents. Be consistent — the names and percentages in your uploaded documents must match what you enter in the form and what appears in SAM.gov.

6. 6

   Submit and respond to SBA's review

   Submit the application and monitor the portal. SBA may issue a request for additional information; respond promptly, because the clock effectively pauses while SBA waits on you. If SBA approves, your firm is listed as a certified SDVOSB and can immediately compete for set-aside and sole-source awards governmentwide.

   Tip: If SBA denies, you generally may not reapply for 90 days. A denial can also be appealed to the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA).

Primary Sources

• 13 CFR Part 128
• 13 CFR 128.300
• SBA VetCert

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Verify current requirements against the cited regulations and your contracting officer before acting.

Related Guides

Terms Used in This Guide

In the FAQ Knowledge Base

More in Getting Certified