How to get SDVOSB certification
Updated November 10, 2026. Facts from official pages read on that date (listed under Sources). EasBid is an independent bid search service and is not affiliated with any government agency. Certification is free to apply for on the official sites.
SDVOSB certification is the U.S. Small Business Administration's confirmation, through its Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program, that a small business is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans with a service-connected disability, which makes it eligible for service-disabled veteran-owned set-aside and sole-source contracts across the federal government. The same program also certifies veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs). Certification moved from the Department of Veterans Affairs to SBA on January 1, 2023, under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, and the final rule was published in the Federal Register on November 29, 2022. This guide covers who qualifies, how control is judged, how to apply, what you get on bids, and how to keep the status. Facts come from SBA's veterans page and 13 CFR Part 128, read November 10, 2026.
SDVOSB vs. VOSB: what is the difference?
VetCert issues two statuses. A VOSB is owned and controlled by one or more veterans. An SDVOSB is owned and controlled by one or more veterans whom the VA rates as service-disabled. SBA explains the practical difference this way: certified SDVOSBs can compete for set-aside and sole-source contracts across the whole federal government, while certified VOSBs get extra set-aside and sole-source chances at the VA under its Vets First program. A firm that qualifies as an SDVOSB generally also meets the VOSB test.
Who qualifies: the eligibility tests
SBA lists these requirements for a VOSB or SDVOSB application:
- Veteran status from the VA. The owner must be identified by the VA as a veteran or a service-disabled veteran.
- Small business size. The firm must be small under the size standard for any NAICS code listed in its SAM.gov profile.
- 51% veteran ownership and control for a VOSB, by one or more veterans.
- 51% service-disabled veteran ownership and control for an SDVOSB, by one or more veterans the VA rates as service-disabled.
There is a special rule for veterans with a permanent and total disability who cannot manage daily operations: the business can still qualify if their spouse or appointed permanent caregiver helps manage it. The full criteria are in 13 CFR Part 128, Subpart B. The regulation also covers surviving spouses of service-disabled veterans in certain cases.
How control is judged
Ownership on paper is not enough. Under section 128.203, one or more qualifying veterans must control both the long-term decisions and the day-to-day operations of the firm. A qualifying veteran must hold the highest officer position, usually president or chief executive officer, and must have management experience of the extent and complexity needed to run the company. The veteran does not need to hold the trade license personally, as long as the veteran has ultimate managerial and supervisory control over the people who do. In a partnership, qualifying veterans must be general partners with control over all partnership decisions, and similar rules apply to LLCs.
Why certification now matters for bidding
Self-certification has largely ended. Under 13 CFR Part 128, a firm must be certified by SBA to win an SDVOSB set-aside or sole-source contract. Firms that sent a complete application by December 31, 2023 could keep self-certifying for non-VA SDVOSB awards until SBA decided; firms that did not lost that option on January 1, 2024. For VA set-aside and sole-source work, SBA states there is no self-certification at all.
Certification also affects goaling and subcontracting. SBA notes that the 2024 defense authorization law requires veteran firms to be SBA-certified for subcontracting and goaling purposes, with a self-certification grace period that ran until December 22, 2024. Prime contractors looking for veteran subcontractors increasingly check for VetCert status for this reason.
How to apply for SDVOSB certification, step by step
- Confirm your VA status. Have your VA documentation showing veteran status and, for SDVOSB, a service-connected disability rating.
- Register in SAM.gov and list the NAICS codes you work in, since size is checked against them. Our SAM.gov guide walks through it.
- Line up ownership and control documents: operating agreement or bylaws, stock or membership records, and anything showing who makes decisions and holds the top officer role.
- Apply on SBA Certifications (certifications.sba.gov). The portal has checklists, pre-application guides and an eligibility check. Under section 128.301 the application is filed electronically, and the qualifying veteran is responsible for the accuracy of everything submitted.
- Answer SBA's follow-up questions quickly. SBA may ask for clarification or more documents at any point.
For questions, SBA lists certifications@sba.gov and its toll-free line, 866-SBA-HELP (866-722-4357), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern, excluding federal holidays.
What SDVOSB certification gets you on bids
- Set-asides and sole-source awards reserved for SDVOSBs across federal agencies.
- A government-wide goal. SBA says the federal government aims to award at least 5% of federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs each year.
- Sole-source caps in the regulation. Section 128.405, as published on the read date, allows an SDVOSB sole-source award when the expected price including options does not exceed $7 million for a manufacturing NAICS code or $4 million for other contracts, among other conditions. Check the solicitation, since amounts can be adjusted.
- VA opportunities under Vets First for certified VOSBs and SDVOSBs.
- Federal surplus property through state agencies for surplus property, which SBA lists for veteran-owned firms.
Browse live SDVOSB set-aside bids and veteran-owned set-aside bids on EasBid.
How to keep SDVOSB certification
Section 128.306 requires certified firms to recertify every three years, with no limit on how many times. You may recertify within the 90 calendar days before your eligibility period ends. You must also tell SBA about changes that could affect eligibility while an application is under review, such as a change in size, ownership or control. Keep your SAM.gov profile current, because it is where your size is measured.
Common reasons applications are declined
- Inconsistent information. Under section 128.302, if documents contradict each other so SBA cannot decide, it will decline.
- Unanswered document requests. SBA may assume missing information would show ineligibility.
- False statements, which lead to denial regardless of anything else.
- Control gaps, such as a veteran who owns 51% but does not hold the top officer position.
- Size over the standard for a NAICS code in the SAM profile.
A declined firm may apply again 90 calendar days after the decline date if it believes it has fixed every reason for the decline, under section 128.305.
Frequently asked questions
What is SDVOSB certification?
It is SBA's VetCert confirmation that a small business is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans, which makes it eligible for SDVOSB set-aside and sole-source federal contracts.
Who certifies SDVOSBs now, SBA or the VA?
SBA. Certification moved from the VA to SBA on January 1, 2023. Applications go through SBA Certifications.
Can I still self-certify as an SDVOSB?
Not for SDVOSB set-aside or sole-source awards. Firms that had not applied by December 31, 2023 lost self-certification on January 1, 2024, and VA set-asides require certification with no self-certification option.
How long does SDVOSB certification last?
Certified firms recertify every three years, and may do so in the 90 calendar days before eligibility ends. There is no limit on how many times a firm recertifies.
What is the SDVOSB sole-source limit?
Section 128.405 as published on the read date lists $7 million for contracts with a manufacturing NAICS code and $4 million for other contracts, including options.
What if my SDVOSB application is declined?
A declined firm may reapply 90 calendar days after the decline date if it believes it has fixed every reason for the decline.
Does the veteran need to run the business day to day?
Yes. One or more qualifying veterans must control both long-term decisions and daily operations and hold the highest officer position, with an exception for permanently and totally disabled veterans whose spouse or caregiver helps manage.
Sources
- Veteran small business resources and certifications (sba.gov, read November 10, 2026)
- 13 CFR Part 128: Veteran Small Business Certification (ecfr.gov, read November 10, 2026)
- SBA business certifications: 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB (sba.gov, read November 10, 2026)