/ Certifications

Being certified in your trade can give you an unparalleled advantage when being considered for contracting opportunities. Don’t let your lack of certifications hinder your business growth.If you’re looking for increased opportunities to do business with local, state and federal government; as well as, with major corporations, you should explore becoming certified by each applicable agency.

Select from the topics below to find the most valuable certifications for your business.

Counseling and Training

Charlotte Mecklenburg BLACK CHAMBER of Commerce helps its member companies prepare for the certification process, access opportunities to network with prime contractors and be informed when government and private-sector RFPs are made available. Visit them onlineto learn more or join today.

Central Piedmont Small Business Center helps to start Your Nonprofit Business in Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont’s Small Business Center offers a free seminar that will give you an insider’s look into what it takes to win a contract, starting with responding to the Request for Proposal (RFP). In this course, you’ll see samples of successful submissions and learn how to better write and submit a proposal. Register now for “Responding to RFPs, RFQs, and ITBs”!

The Central Piedmont Small Business Center offers a free seminar and webinar in partnership with the Women’s Business Center of North Carolina to provide an overview of Certifications available for local business. Browse their current course schedule here.

Other courses offered by CPCC’s Small Business Center include Government Contracting 101, Developing a Capability Statement and Doing Business with Mecklenburg County. Visit them online to register!

Government

The SBA helps small businesses find contracting opportunities, register their businesses, apply forHUBZone status and much more. Get the contracting resources you need through the SBA.

8(a) Business Development Program: The SBA offers the 8(a) Certification, a program designed to help socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses effectively compete in the marketplace and gain access to federal and private procurement markets. Under this program, entrepreneurs receive business development support, such as one-on-one advice and coaching services. Find out if the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program is right for you!
Women-Owned Small Business Certification: The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) federal contract program strives to provide equal access to federal contracting opportunities for women business owners. WOSBs can choose to self-certify their business or be certified by an SBA-approved third-party certifier. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a woman-owned business seeking contracting!
Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Certification: The Vets First Verification Program ensures that set-aside funds are awarded to legitimate firms owned and controlled by Veterans and Service-Disabled Veterans. Learn more and start verification here!
HUBZone Program: The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. Visit SBA online to find out if you’re eligible for the HUBZone program!

Private Sector

CVMSDC offers certification services to help Charlotte’s Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) grow and succeed. To become a Certified MBE, or to see if you qualify, visit http://cvmsdc.org/.