New Certification

Criteria for Certification:

• United States citizen.
• Minority businesses must be at least 51% minority-owned, actively operated, and controlled. For the purposes of the National Minority Supplier Development’s (NMSDC) program, a minority group member is an individual who is at least 25% Asian Indian, Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic, or Native American. Minority eligibility is established via a combination of screenings, interviews, and site visits. Ownership, in the case of a publicly owned business, means that at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more minority group members.
• Must be a for-profit enterprise physically located in the U. S. or its territories.
• Management and daily operations must be exercised by minorities.

Required documentation: (documents will vary by business types – below is a sample for corporations)

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Incorporation
• Stock Certificates and Stock Ledger
• Minutes to Board of Director’s meetings as well as Shareholder’s meetings
• Bylaws (executed and attested) and Amendments (if applicable)
• All agreement(s) pertaining to ownership, operation, and control of the business
• Business cards that list appropriate corporate titles, copies of resumes, copy of driver’s licenses and proof of US Citizenship (Birth certificates or U.S. Passports only) for all Principals
• Corporate Bank Resolution Agreement(s) to include Bank Signature Card(s)
• Business Lease Agreement(s) (and Security Deeds if home-based)
• Proof of general liability insurance and in some cases bonding

• Copies of the businesses’ canceled checksBottom of Form

What you should know about the application process:

• The Certification process can take up to 90 days.
• Before you begin the online application, you will need to attend a Pre-Certification Briefing where you will be provided access to the online application.
• Upon saving your information, you will be able to access your application at our next session.
• The processing of your application will begin when payment is received.
• Application and documents are reviewed for completeness and accuracy.
• Once all documents are reviewed and the application is complete and accurate, a site visit will be scheduled by a Certification staffer.
• The Certification Committee meets regularly to review applications for MBE Certification.
• The Certification Committee makes its recommendation to the Mid-States MSDC Board of Directors.
• The Board of Directors will review the Certification Committee’s recommendation and make the final decision.
• If your application is approved, you will be notified via e-mail.

If the Board rejects your application, you may submit a letter of appeal within 30 days.

Our standardization process: 

Our standardization process: Certification Policy and Procedures Manual is firmly adhered to by its 23 Regional Affiliates for the certification of minority-owned businesses. Certified MBEs will be recognized by all national corporate members of the NMSDC Network as nationally certified. This means that MBEs will be able to subscribe to a Regional Affiliate and enjoy fee-based, value-added services and support that are unique to their specific market. NMSDC’s rigorous certification process requires that minority businesses are at least 51% minority-owned, actively operated, and controlled. Eligibility is established by conducting a series of screenings, interviews, and site visit. This distinguishes NMSDC from other organizations or entities who publish directories allowing for “self-certification” as their standard. Stringent standardization also identifies bona fide minority businesses, helping purchasing agents report expenditures as well as vendor utilization rates. These procedures help measure overall performance and progress.