How to Get SDVOSB Certification

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business certification opens the door to federal contracts reserved specifically for veterans who served.

What SDVOSB is

The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program reserves about 5% of all federal contracting dollars for businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. That's billions of dollars in set-aside opportunities each year.

Since January 1, 2023 there is just one certification, run by the SBA. It's called VetCert, and it covers SDVOSB set-asides at every federal agency, including the Department of Veterans Affairs' “Vets First” contracts.

Before 2023, the VA ran its own separate verification program. That program has ended. The VA now relies on the SBA's certification, so you no longer need a second credential for VA work. There is also no self-certification for SDVOSB set-asides: you must hold the SBA certification before you can compete for one.

Who qualifies

1. 1

   51%+ owned by service-disabled veterans

   At least 51% of the business must be owned by one or more veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA. Any rating qualifies. Even a 0% rating counts, as long as it's a recognized service-connected disability.

2. 2

   The veteran controls the business

   The service-disabled veteran must hold the highest officer position, make the day-to-day decisions, and hold the majority of the voting stock. Ownership alone isn't enough. They have to actually run the company.

3. 3

   Small business under SBA size standards

   Your business must be small under the SBA's size standard for your NAICS code (a revenue or employee cap that varies by industry).

One certification, every agency

You may have read about a separate “VA verification” step on an older VA portal. That was the pre-2023 system. Today the SBA's VetCert certification is the only one you need. It unlocks SDVOSB set-asides governmentwide, the VA included.

• One application, every agency. The SBA certification works for SDVOSB set-asides at the VA and at every other federal agency. You don't apply twice.
• No self-certification. You can't simply declare your business an SDVOSB to win a set-aside. The SBA has to certify you first.
• The VA's old VetBiz portal is now just an information site. The VA's Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization still runs it for outreach and market research, but you can't get certified there anymore.

SBA SDVOSB certification, step by step

SDVOSB certification goes through the SBA's official portal, MySBA Certifications at certifications.sba.gov. Here's the process:

1. 1

   Gather your documents before you start

   Having everything ready up front makes the application far smoother. SDVOSB certification is mostly about your business paperwork: the SBA confirms your veteran and service-disabled status electronically with the VA, so you don't upload proof of that. You'll want:

   • Your articles of incorporation or organization (whatever legally formed your company)
   • Your operating agreement or bylaws, plus any shareholder or voting agreements
   • Governance records showing the veteran owns and controls the business (ownership ledger, meeting minutes, officer appointments)
   • Any situational items the application asks for based on your answers, and it tells you which as you go
2. 2

   Create an account or log in at MySBA Certifications

   Go to certifications.sba.gov, set up (or sign into) your MySBA account, then start a new SDVOSB (VetCert) application.

3. 3

   Complete the application

   Fill in your business profile, ownership structure, and veteran information.

4. 4

   Upload your documents

   Upload the business and governance documents you gathered in step 1. Your veteran and service-disabled status don't need a document upload: the SBA verifies them electronically with the VA.

5. 5

   The SBA reviews your application

   In late 2025 the SBA reported reviews averaging about 12 days, though that number has swung a lot (around 30 days when the program began, peaking near 81 days at the end of 2024) and there's no guaranteed timeline. Respond quickly if the SBA asks for anything, since the clock really starts from a complete application.

6. 6

   Check your SAM.gov profile

   Once you're certified, sign in to SAM.gov and check that your profile reflects your SDVOSB certification in its Representations & Certifications, so it shows up to contracting officers. Update anything that's out of date.

After you're certified

• Recertify every 3 years. SDVOSB certification lasts 3 years, and you confirm your business still qualifies in order to renew it.
• Report any material change (such as a change in ownership or control) to the SBA within 30 days.
• Keep your SAM.gov profile current too, and check that it still reflects your certification so contracting officers can see it.
• SDVOSB status and the SBA's 8(a) program can co-exist: if you also qualify for 8(a), you can hold both certifications at once.