New Jersey SBE, MWBE and Veteran Certification: Status and What to Do

What it is

The Treasury's Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) runs one online application for several certifications: Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MBE, WBE, MWBE), Veteran-Owned (VOB), Disabled Veteran-Owned (DVOB), LGBTQ+ and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business (SEDB). DORES says the state "currently has two contract set aside programs": 25% for certified SBEs and 3% for DVOBs. Certified firms are listed in the NJ SAVI public database.

What changed

• January 12, 2026: Governor approved P.L. 2025, c. 254, effective at once. For SBE status, gross revenue is now averaged over the last five completed tax years (annualized for newer firms). The employee cap now applies only to businesses with no federal revenue standard under 13 CFR 121.201.
• SEDB is new. Treasury proposed its rules on December 16, 2024, and DORES extended comments to April 25, 2025. SEDB now appears in the application portal.

Who qualifies

• SBE: the state rule defines a small business as one with its "principal place of business in the State," independently owned, with 100 or fewer full-time employees (now only where no federal revenue standard applies). Revenue limits: $12 million for goods and services and $3 million for design and construction, or the alternative federal standards the rule names (per N.J.A.C. 17:13-1.2, Cornell LII copy).
• MBE/WBE: at least 51% owned by minorities or women, who control management and daily operations. The DORES page does not list an in-state requirement for MBE/WBE.
• VOB and DVOB: principal place of business in New Jersey and at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans or disabled veterans. A firm verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as service-disabled veteran-owned can also qualify for DVOB.
• SEDB: at least 51% owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people, each with personal net worth of $1,320,000 or less. The proposed rules also require a New Jersey principal place of business.
• Out-of-state firms: the SBE, VOB, DVOB and SEDB rules require a New Jersey principal place of business.
• Reciprocity: firms already certified as MWBE by the Port Authority of NY/NJ, WBENC, an MSDC, New York, Maryland, Texas or Massachusetts can use a fast-track application.

What it means for your bids

• DORES lists a 25% set-aside for certified SBEs and a 3% set-aside for certified DVOBs.
• Certified firms appear in NJ SAVI, the state's public search of certified businesses.
• DORES does not describe a state MBE/WBE set-aside or price preference on its certification page.

How to get certified

1. Register your business for New Jersey tax purposes first. The portal will not take an application without it.
2. Apply at the Uniform Certification Service: https://www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry. One application can cover several certifications.
3. Gather documents: none for SBE; ownership papers, ID and an affidavit for MBE/WBE; a DD-214 or VA disability letter and New Jersey residency proof for VOB or DVOB.
4. Cost: DORES says the usual $100 application fee is waived indefinitely.
5. MBE, WBE and LGBTQ+ start with a provisional certificate and recertify every five years. DORES does not state processing times.

Watch out for

• SBE size math changed in January 2026. If you were near a limit, recheck your status.
• DORES pages do not say whether an out-of-state firm can hold MBE/WBE status without a New Jersey office. Ask before you rely on it.
• The Port Authority of NY/NJ certifies separately. Check each solicitation for the certification it accepts.
• Federal DBE is a separate program.
• Free help: DORES Uniform Certification Services, 609-292-2146, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Sources

• www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/business-cert-program.shtml
• www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/ucs.shtml
• www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/
• www.njportal.com/DOR/SBERegistry
• pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/PL25/254_.HTM
• www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/pdf/PRN%202024-145%20(56%20N.J.R.%202329(a)).pdf
• www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-17-13-1-2

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any certifying agency, and this isn't legal advice. Status can change quickly with court orders and new laws, so confirm with the program office before you rely on it.