In today’s business environment, women business owners are looking to advance their business growth with the United States and internationally.  To assist women business owners seeking to leverage opportunities available to certified-women-owned firms to drive revenue growth, the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce™ has established two highly regarded certifications.*

• USWCC | National Women's Business Enterprise™ (NWBE)
• USWCC | International Women's Business Enterprise™ (IWBE)
  (intended for firms seeking global supply chain opportunities)

USWCC | National Women's Business Enterprise (NWBE)
The prestigious, trusted, high quality USWCC women-owned business certification.

USWCC | International Women’s Business Enterprises™ (IWBE)
Takes the USWCC certification to the next level -- Global.  The IWBE™ designation certifies that you are women-owned and shows your international preparedness status. Through the IWBE™ designation, you signify your desire and capabilities to work in global markets.

Quality - Highest Standards - Reciprocity

The USWCC | NWBE™ and USWCC | IWBE™ certifications are not tied to any large corporate committees or external influence.  Your confidential business information will remain confidential.  You can be assured that the awarding of the USWCC | NWBE™and USWCC| IWBE™ certifications will be determined by the highest of independent standards.
 
We Promote Reciprocity: We actively support reciprocity in certification. If you hold a legitimate women’s business certification from a recognized provider, you are eligible to receive a USWCC | NWBE™ or USWCC | IWBE™ with reduced paperwork and cost.
 
There is NEVER a Fee to a Corporation or Government buyer to view your certification: We make your certification widely available to all valid major corporate or government buyers at no cost to the corporation or government. Through the USWCC | International Women’s Business Enterprise™ and the USWCC | National Women’s Business Enterprise™ certification, all major buyers will have will have unobstructed access to your certification and your company.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I need a USWCC | International Women’s Business Enterprise™ (IWBE) Certification?
   
   The USWCC | International Women’s Business Enterprise™ Certification may assist your business if you are seeking to leverage opportunities through the assistance of supplier diversity organizations within corporations. The IWBE™ designation certifies that you are women-owned - and shows your international preparedness status. Through the USWCC | IWBE™ designation, you signify your desire and capabilities to work in global markets.
   
   If you are seeking U.S. federal contracting opportunities, you do not need a certification of your women-owned status at this time. You may effectively use your USWCC | IWBE™ certification to pursue subcontracting opportunities.
   
    
2. How do I obtain a USWCC | International Women’s Business Enterprise™ (IWBE)? 
   
   To get started, click on the "Get Started Now" tab and complete our certification interest form.
   
   If you are seeking your first certification, the paperwork and documentation required is extensive. If you have an existing, valid certification from a recognized certifier, you may be eligible for a “reciprocal certification.” If so, we require less paperwork. Our support team will advise you and help you all through the process.
   
   Once we have your complete application, your certification process should take no more than 45 days. The only exceptions to this time frame are for files where our review panel requests additional documentation (and we must wait for your response), or if you are not able to confirm a date for your site visit promptly. We also offer expedited certification for an additional fee. If you have a specific business reason that requires a quick turn around, we can work with you. It is our desire to help you maximize your opportunities. 
    
3. What if I want a national certification (NWBE™) instead of an international certification (IWBE™)?
   
   We understand that most businesses are providing goods and services within the U.S. only. If your firm is not active within the U.S. only, you should seek the USWCC | NWBE™ (National Women’s Business Enterprise Certification).
    
4. I already have a state, local or third-party women-owned certification - what are my options?
   
   - If you have an existing, valid certification from a recognized certifier, you may be eligible for a “reciprocal certification.” If so, we require less paperwork. Our support team will advise you and help you all through the process.
   
   If you hold an existing certification from an entity that did not require a site-visit. You may still seek a reciprocal certification as an USWCC | IWBE™.
    
5. What types of certification to you provide?
   
   - A First Certification: U.S. based firms seeking their first "Women-Owned Business Certification" for the pursuit of increased government and private sector opportunities in the U.S. and abroad.
   
   - A Reciprocal Certification: U.S. based firms with existing government or third-party ”Women-Owned” certifications seeking a reciprocal "International Women’s Business Enterprise" certification to obtain increased opportunities to leverage the supplier diversity goals of Fortune 500 firms in the U.S. and abroad.
   
   - A Non-US Women-Owned Business Certification: Non-U.S. based women-owned firms seeking their first "International Women’s Business Enterprise" certification to obtain increased private sector opportunities with U.S. women-owned firms, U.S. based Fortune 500 firms and other large international firms.
   
   - Special Joint Venture or Close Partnership Certification: In some instance two international businesses may work closely together to provide for larger corporate purchasing needs. In these instances, we are able to provide a deep partner relationship certification.
    
6. What are your standards for certification?
   
   Since the USWCC | IWBE certification includes internationally owned firms, we provide more than one type of certification and follow different guidelines for international firms:
   
   U.S. Firms:
   
   - At least fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women
   
   - Proof of effective management and control of the business
   
   - Documented evidence of contribution of capital and/or expertise
   
   - U.S. Citizenship or Legal Resident Alien status
   
   - And, if you meet the U.S. Small Business Administration guidelines to be designated as a “small business” - your certification will bear this indication.
   
   Non-U.S. Firms:
   
   - At least fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women
   
   - Proof of effective management and control of the business
   
   - Documented evidence of contribution of capital and/or expertise
   
   - Documentation of citizenship or legal resident status for the country in which your business is based. (Your certification will also provide this information.)
    
7. Do you require a site visit?
   
   - Yes. All firms awarded a USWCC | IWBE certification will have undergone a site visit directly by our organization - or, for a reciprocal certification - by the originating certifier.
    
8. How much does it cost to obtain a USWCC International Women’s Business Enterprise™ certification?
   
   - A First Certification: $300
   
   - A Reciprocal Certification with Site Visit: $200
   
   - A Reciprocal Certification without Site Visit: $100
    
9. My company is not based in the U.S. Can I obtain a USWCC International Women’s Business Enterprise™ certification?
   
   Yes, absolutely. Firms based outside of the U.S. are very important to this process. In addition to providing a USWCC | IWBE™ certification, we can help you find business partners in the U.S. to better position you for large corporate opportunities.
    
10. What happens if I am denied certification?
    
    If you are denied certification, you will be informed of the reason for denial and provided an opportunity to appeal. Should your appeal be denied, you may re-apply for certification in 90 days.
     
11. How will the USWCC | International Women’s Business Enterprise™ and/or USWCC | National Women's Business Enterprise™ certification assist my business?
    
    The primary purpose of any certification designating women-owned status is to leverage opportunities provided via supplier diversity programs. You may or may not find that certification assists your business. 
    
    It is very important that you understand that a certification is simply a tool. Certification exists because statistics show that women-owned businesses are underrepresented in government and corporate contracting markets. 
    
    The USWCC | NWBE™ and USWCC | IWBE™ certifications are provided to assist you to market your firm. You should never consider the USWCC | NWBE™ and USWCC | IWBE™ certifications as a guarantee to receive contracts. To be successful, you must be competitive, prepared, have adequate capacity and must actively and aggressively market your firm’s capabilities to buyers who have a need for your product or service.
    
    However, there are significant advantages to securing a USWCC | NWBE™ and/or SWCC | IWBE™ certification. These include:
    
    - Your certification will be actively promoted to corporate buyers.
    
    - All legitimate corporate and government buyers may view your certification at NO CHARGE. We will never ask a buyer for money before providing them with your certification.
    
    - You will receive an updated list of supplier diversity contacts within major corporations.
    
    - We strongly support reciprocity. If you hold an existing certification from a viable source, we will streamline the process for your IWBE™ certification.
    
    - Speed: Our certifications typically takes no longer than 45 days. If you have a strong business need for an expedited certification, you may request an expedited process. We charge an additional $100 for this process.
    
    - The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce name is highly regarded in corporate and government circles. We expressly intend to extend this recognition to women business owners through the USWCC Global Markets: Women’s Business Development Center.
     
12. I have additional questions. How do I contact you?
    
    Please go here.