Certification Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Woman-Owned Business Certification (WOBC)?

The WOBC is a credential provided by a third-party organization that verifies your business as majority woman-owned, controlled, and managed. The certification is granted after going through a due diligence process. Once issued, it can provide enhanced credibility, access to premium benefits, and opportunities to grow your business.

Is your certification affiliated with or accepted by the SBA or any other certification program?

HerHeadquarters Woman-Owned Business Certification is an independent certification, not affiliated with any other certification program, and is not currently recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or the federal government. HerHeadquarters is actively work towards becoming an SBA approved, third-party certifier, which will make recipients of our certification eligible for government contracts. While we’re already over halfway through their preliminary requirements, we’re unable to give an exact timeframe of when we’ll be a third-party certifier.

Can non-U.S. businesses apply?

Currently, HerHeadquarters WOBC is only open to businesses based in the United States.

Are the benefits of HerHeadquarters certification available if I get certified with another program? 

No, the benefits of HerHeadquarters' Woman-Owned Business Certification are exclusive to businesses certified through our program. To access our unique benefits package, including legal services, business classes, mentorship, discounts on essentials services and tools, and more, you must complete our certification process.

How much does certification cost?

The current application fee is $325. 

How long does it last? 

Our certification is valid for two years and requires a renewal application in order for it to 

be re-issued. Prior to your certification expiring, you’ll be invited to reapply if you desire. The renewal application fee is $150. 

Can I register multiple businesses/DBAs under one certification?

No, the certification is specific to a single business entity. If you own multiple businesses or DBAs, each must be certified individually, as the process verifies ownership and management for each specific business.

I have a business partner(s), can we still apply?

As long as the business is at least 51% woman-owned you’re able to apply, even if that 51% is shared among more than one woman. Even if you have male business partners, if the business meets the requirement of being majority woman-owned, you’re welcome to apply.

What documents are required for certification?

The core documents we request include proof of ownership, evidence of business registration, evidence of current operations, identification documents, and more. The specific documents required vary depending on your business entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.). This is not a complete list—please review our detailed document checklist by entity to ensure you provide all necessary materials.

How long does the certification process take?

The certification process typically takes 4-6 weeks. However, the timeline can vary depending on how quickly applicants upload the required documents, how promptly references respond during the verification process, and the time it takes to complete the certification interview. Our due diligence process doesn’t begin until all required documents have been uploaded into the portal and approved. 

Are there any restrictions on the size or revenue of businesses that can apply for certification?

No, there are no restrictions on the size or revenue of businesses applying for certification. Our program is designed to support women-owned businesses at all stages, from startups to established enterprises, regardless of their revenue or number of employees.

How do you keep my documents safe?

We do not ask for or accept documents via email. For the safety of your sensitive information, all documents will be uploaded within our secure portal where all data in transit is encrypted between source and destination using SSL/TLS with RSA 2048 key encryption. You can manage all communications around any document you upload from within the portal.

What resources are available to help women-owned businesses succeed after certification?

HerHeadquarters has partnered with various organizations to create a benefits package designed to give your business access to opportunities and resources that will position it for growth. These benefits include access to free legal services for eligible applicants, access to business classes and mentorship, savings on business insurance, cashback on woman-owned business hires, and more. Our benefits package is continually being upgraded with new perks, so please see the ‘Benefits’ section of our website for the latest offerings.