Washington OMWBE and Veteran-Owned Business Certification: Status and What to Do

What it is

The Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) certifies firms owned by minorities, women, LGBTQ+ people and other disadvantaged owners for state agencies, local governments, school districts and universities. The Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) separately certifies veteran-owned businesses. State law (RCW 49.60.400) bars preferential treatment based on race or sex in public contracting, so these certifications feed directories, voluntary goals and inclusion plans, not price preferences.

What changed

• January 6, 2025: new OMWBE rules raised the personal net worth cap from $1.32 million to $2,047,000, excluded retirement assets, aligned ownership and control rules with federal DBE rules, and added the Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) category.
• August 8, 2025: the Governor and OMWBE launched the LGBTQ Business Enterprise certification.
• The October 2025 federal DBE rule did not change state certification. OMWBE says there are "no new requirements for State Certification."

Who qualifies

OMWBE state certification:

• At least 51% owned by eligible owners who contributed capital and expertise and control daily and management decisions.
• Owners are women, minorities or LGBTQ+, or are found socially disadvantaged case by case (SEDBE). PWSBE is race- and gender-neutral and is for economically disadvantaged owners.
• Personal net worth generally under $2.047 million, not counting your home or the business.
• Average gross receipts of $32.82 million or less over 3 years, and small under the SBA standard for each NAICS code.
• For-profit and licensed to do business in Washington. OMWBE lists Washington Secretary of State registration for state certification. U.S. citizenship is not required.
• The official pages do not say whether an out-of-state firm must be certified in its home state first.

WDVA veteran-owned:

• At least 51% owned and controlled by a veteran eligible for federal VA benefits or a current service member.
• Must be a Washington domestic corporation or, if unincorporated, have its principal place of business in Washington.

What it means for your bids

• Buyers and primes search the OMWBE directory.
• A DES public works inclusion plan sets voluntary goals of 10% MBE, 6% WBE, 5% veteran-owned and 10% PWSBE. It says "No preference will be included in the evaluation."
• OMWBE's PWSBE flyer says agencies can negotiate small public works projects under $150,000 directly with certified small businesses and rotate among them.
• The Governor's Office asked agencies to direct 5% of purchasing to veteran-owned firms. Actual FY25 spend was 0.76% (WDVA).

How to get certified

1. OMWBE: apply in the portal at https://omwbe.diversitycompliance.com/. For both state and federal DBE, start a federal application and answer yes to state certification.
2. Cost: free. OMWBE has waived all certification fees indefinitely.
3. Timing: about 60 days for state certification, per OMWBE. The pages we reached do not say how long certification lasts.
4. Veteran-owned: register in WEBS (https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov), then send proof of discharge status, 51% ownership and Washington status to vob@dva.wa.gov. It is free. WDVA reported a 7-day average in FY25. Report ownership or control changes within 30 days.

Watch out for

• Checking a minority- or woman-owned box in a vendor system is self-identification, not certification.
• Federal DBE is a separate program.
• Free help: TechnicalAssistance@omwbe.wa.gov or 360-664-9750.

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Sources

• omwbe.wa.gov/certification
• omwbe.wa.gov/certification/state-certification
• omwbe.wa.gov/certification/fees
• omwbe.wa.gov/certification/frequently-asked-questions-faqs-and-fact-sheets/interim
• omwbe.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/documents/Certification-Fact-Sheet.pdf
• omwbe.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/PWSBE-Certification.pdf
• omwbe.wa.gov/small-business-assistance/certifications
• omwbe.wa.gov/about-omwbe/contact-us-directions
• lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/Law/WSR/2025/01/25-01-023.htm
• governor.wa.gov/node/86445
• app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=49.60.400
• des.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/JOC-diverse-business-inclusion-plan.pdf
• dva.wa.gov/veterans-service-members-and-their-families/veteran-owned-businesses
• lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2016/20/16-20-104.htm
• dva.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/2025_VOB-report_final.pdf

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.