Minority/Woman/Disabled Business Enterprise Certification
Effective July 1, 2025, The Enterprise Center will no longer process new certifications or renewals on behalf of the City of Philadelphia. This change means that all applications for Minority/Women/Disabled-Owned Business Enterprise (M/W/DSBE) certifications and renewals must now be submitted directly to other organizations.
The following agencies are available to assist you.
DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification is affected by changes in ownership. A certified DBE must notify the certifying agency within 30 days of any material change, including a transfer of ownership. The new owner(s) must demonstrate that they are disadvantaged and control the firm. If a DBE is acquired by a non-DBE firm or new owners who don't qualify, it can lead to decertification.
- Notification Requirement:
Certified DBEs must notify their certifying agency (recipient or UCP) in writing within 30 days of any material changes, including a transfer of ownership.
- New Owner Requirements:
- The new owner(s) must demonstrate that they are socially and economically disadvantaged.
- They must also demonstrate that they control the firm.
- This includes demonstrating the ability to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the firm, including making day-to-day and long-term decisions.
SEPTA – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program - https://wwww.septa.org/dbe/
Airport Concessions Disadvantage Business Enterprise – (ACDBE) - https://www.phl.org/drupalbin/media/dbe-acdbe-presentation.pdf ; https://www.phl.org/business/OBD
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Certification - https://panynj.gov/port-authority/en/business-opportunities/supplier-diversity.html#applyCert
WBE – Women Business Enterprise
WBEC EAST - https://wbeceast.com/ (Pennsylvania)
Minority Business Enterprise
EMSDC - https://emsdc.org/ (Pennsylvania)
NYNJ MSDC - https://nynjmsdc.org/ (New York & New Jersey)
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) → certifies MBEs nationally. https://nmsdc.org/
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) → certifies WBEs nationally. https://www.wbenc.org/
Many corporations accept these certifications for supplier diversity programs.
MBE Certification in New Jersey
Becoming a certified MBE can open the door to valuable opportunities, including state contracting, supplier diversity programs, and set-aside procurement. The State of New Jersey offers MBE certification through the Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services (DORES). Certification is free and can be completed online. To apply, you must submit documentation proving that the business is at least 51% minority-owned, operated, and controlled.
You can learn more and apply here: https://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/certification/
Disability Business Enterprise
