DBE Certification and Re-evaluation in Florida

Where: No online system found; FDOT accepts forms by email or mail
Cost: Not published on the FDOT pages reviewed
Re-evaluation: In progress (DOT UCP status page, last updated Oct 2, 2026; DOT lists no UCP website for Florida). FDOT began accepting re-evaluation applications Oct 1, 2026. Firms that intend to submit a narrative must notify FDOT before Dec 11, 2026.
How long: UCP must decide within 90 days of receiving all required information; it may extend once by up to 30 days (49 CFR 26.83(l)). No Florida-specific timeline published.
Contact: FDOT Business Growth and Engagement Office, Certification Programs: (850) 414-4747. Mail: 605 Suwannee St. MS 65, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Email is shown on FDOT's site but could not be read.
Last checked: 2026-10-03

What it's for

The Florida Unified Certification Program (Florida UCP) certifies DBEs in Florida. FDOT's Business Growth and Engagement Office certifies firms. FDOT says its federal DBE certification "is for firms providing road and bridge construction." Firms certified by another Florida UCP member don't need to reapply, since "the certification is recognized statewide." DBE certification lets a firm count toward DBE goals on USDOT-funded contracts. A list of other members and ACDBE (airport concession) details were not found on the FDOT pages reviewed.

Where this state stands

DOT's UCP status page lists Florida's re-evaluation as not complete and lists no UCP website for Florida (page last updated Oct 2, 2026).
FDOT: "All firms certified prior to October 3, 2025 who wish to remain certified must submit a Personal Net Worth (PNW) statement and a Personal Narrative (PN)."
FDOT: "FDOT will begin accepting reevaluation applications on October 1, 2026 for firms domiciled in Florida."
FDOT: "Firms that intend to submit their personal narrative must notify FDOT prior to December 11, 2026."
Federal deadline: UCPs must finish by Dec 24, 2026, with one possible 90-day DOT extension.
Submit by email or mail to FDOT Certification Programs.
Narrative format: FDOT offers a Personal Narrative (PN) Form (a Word file whose file name includes "draft"). No page limit is stated. DOT's FAQ says certifiers "must not enforce page limits, mandate topics, or impose any other limitations" on a narrative.
DOT says the narrative is "a statement of the owner's own experiences," not a document "to be written by consultants."

Have this ready

As listed by FDOT:

Re-evaluation (firms certified before Oct 3, 2025):

Personal Narrative (PN) Form.
Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement on the USDOT form.

New applicants:

PN Form, PNW Statement and the USDOT Uniform Certification Application (UCA).

Interstate applicants:

The decision letter from your home-state UCP.
An image of your firm's listing in your home-state UCP directory.

Steps

Already certified (re-evaluation):

Notify FDOT before Dec 11, 2026 that you intend to submit your narrative. Call (850) 414-4747 to confirm how to notify.
Download the PN Form and USDOT PNW Statement from https://www.fdot.gov/BusinessGrowth/dbecertification.shtm.
Each disadvantaged owner completes their own PN and PNW.
Email the package to FDOT Certification Programs, or mail it to 605 Suwannee St. MS 65, Tallahassee, FL 32399.
The UCP decides. FDOT says denied firms can appeal to USDOT or request a hearing under Florida law.

New applicants:

Download the UCA, PN Form and PNW Statement from the FDOT page.
Complete and send them by email or mail.
If approved, FDOT places your firm in its online DBE Directory.

After you're certified

FDOT: "Once certified you must submit a DOE annually along with current business taxes (including affiliates)."
Report any material change within 30 days, with a signed DOE (49 CFR 26.83).
Interstate: send your home-state decision letter and directory listing image.

Watch out for

Dec 11, 2026 is the Florida notice date. It comes before the Dec 24 federal UCP deadline.
Federal deadline: a firm that still hasn't sent its narrative and net worth statement by Mar 24, 2027 gets a Notice of Decision disqualifying it (DOT final-rule FAQ, Q17 and Q22). Don't wait for that date.
The FDOT PN Form file name includes "draft." Check the page for updates before you submit.
Help from the UCP is free.

What changed nationally, plus DOT's narrative and net worth checklists →

Common questions

Where do I apply for DBE certification in Florida?

Florida Unified Certification Program (Florida UCP): https://www.fdot.gov/BusinessGrowth/dbecertification.shtm

Has Florida finished DBE re-evaluations?

In progress (DOT UCP status page, last updated Oct 2, 2026; DOT lists no UCP website for Florida). FDOT began accepting re-evaluation applications Oct 1, 2026. Firms that intend to submit a narrative must notify FDOT before Dec 11, 2026.

How long does DBE certification take in Florida?

UCP must decide within 90 days of receiving all required information; it may extend once by up to 30 days (49 CFR 26.83(l)). No Florida-specific timeline published.

Sources

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with USDOT or any certifying agency, and this isn't legal advice. Your state's UCP decides who qualifies. FindMyBids never writes personal narratives and never asks for your net worth figures.

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