Is your firm at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a minorities or women? Yes ☐ No ☐	If No, STOP! All firms seeking MWBE certification must be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by minorities or women.
Does the minority or woman owner exercise the authority to independently control the day to day operations of the business? Yes ☐ No ☐	If No, STOP! All firms seeking certification must be able to demonstrate the minority or woman owners exercise the authority to independently control the day to day operations of the business.
Is this firm “publicly owned”? Yes ☐ No ☐	If Yes, STOP! If this firm is publicly‐traded, then you do NOT qualify for this program and should not fill out this application.
Is this firm “owned wholly or in part by another company”? Yes ☐ No ☐	If Yes, STOP! The other company may need to be certified first before this firm can complete this application. (Contact us for further information)
Does this firm employ more than 300 full time equivalent employees? Yes ☐ No ☐	If yes, STOP! You do not qualify for our program.
Does each minority or woman owner, upon which certification is based for this firm have a personal net worth which does not exceed 3.5 million dollars, minus allowable deductions? Yes ☐ No ☐	If no, STOP! Generally, a firm which has an owner which has a net worth over $3.5 million does not qualify; please refer to the website (www.esd.ny.gov/mwbe.html) for the complete list of allowable deductions. Please note: This firm may not qualify for our program.
Has this firm been operational and active for at least one year? Yes ☐ No ☐	If no, STOP! Generally, a business has to be established and active for at least one year.
Is this firm “not for profit”? Yes ☐ No ☐	If Yes, STOP! If this firm is not‐for‐profit, then you do NOT qualify for this program and should NOT fill out this application.
Is this firm incorporated in New York State or does this firm have the Authority to do Business in New York State? Yes ☐ No ☐	If no to both, STOP! This firm will need to get the Authority to do Business from the New York State Department of State before applying to this program.

Empire State Development, the certifying agency for MWBEs, will use these guidelines and metrics to qualify a firm for certification. Before applying for the NYS Minority or Women – Owned Business Enterprise Certification please take this brief eligibility test to see if your business firm qualifies. If you qualify please contact your local Small Business Development Center in taking the next steps to certify your business firm.