What Qualifies as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) defines a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) as a for-profit business that is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by one or more individuals who are members of a recognized minority group and U.S. citizens.
For purposes of MBE certification, a recognized minority group member is an individual who is a United States citizen and who identifies as Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, or Native American, as defined by NMSDC certification standards.
Ownership by minority individuals must be real, substantial, and continuing, and must reflect actual authority over the business’s strategic direction, day-to-day operations, and decision-making.
In the case of a publicly owned company, minority ownership must represent at least 51% of the outstanding equity and confer corresponding control, consistent with NMSDC certification requirements.
MBE certification is an ownership-based eligibility designation and does not guarantee contracts, confer procurement preferences, or restrict participation in the marketplace.
常见问题
NMSDC 的认证标准基于申请者是否有能力提供以下要求。 所有申请者都必须提交申请、文件和实地考察，以确保符合要求：
- 少数族裔必须拥有和控制至少 51% 的业务
- 少数股权所有者必须担任总裁或首席执行官（如果这两个职位都存在）。
- 少数股权所有人必须积极参与日常管理
- 少数股东必须是美国公民
所有权通过申请时上传的文件确定。下面根据申请企业的法定组织机构列出了所需文件的示例：
- 独资企业资产的 100%
- 合伙企业中至少 51% 的股权
- 至少 51% 的每一类有投票权的股票，以及 51.0% 的所有已发行股票的总和，以公司清算时分配给少数股东的百分比为准
- 有限责任公司至少 51% 的成员权益
如果她/他是企业所有方面（财务、生产、合同等）的最终决策者，或者她/他可能已将此权力下放给员工经理或其他部分所有人，则少数股东拥有企业控制权。少数股东积极参与管理并拥有企业控制权的主要标志是她/他符合以下标准之一：
- 100% 独资企业的控制权
- 至少 51% 普通合伙企业的控制权
- 少数股权所有者是有限合伙企业或有限责任合伙企业的普通合伙人（或管理普通合伙人，如果有不止一个普通合伙人）。
- 少数股东是唯一的管理者，能够无条件任命管理者管理的有限责任公司的大多数管理者，或对成员管理的有限责任公司拥有 51% 控制权。
不，这要容易得多。除非您企业的所有权、管理权和控制权发生变化，否则只需很少的文书工作。在重新认证时，MBE 需要提供财务文件、当前税表和认证申请的任何更新。
准备好获得认证了吗？
If the above applies to you and your business, you can learn more about the certification process, explore the types of certifications available, and review the required documentation.
Certification fees are based on business size and will be shared during the process. Documentation to verify minority status will be required.
Our national certification team is here to guide you every step of the way.