To become certified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), it is crucial to fulfill the necessary requirements outlined below:
- Military Service: You must have served on active duty with the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard.
- Honorable Discharge: You must have received an honorable discharge or release from your military service.
- Veteran Ownership: A minimum of 51% of your business must be owned by veterans. This demonstrates the significant involvement of veterans in the company.
- Active Management: You should actively participate in managing the company’s operations on a daily basis, showcasing your direct involvement in its affairs.
For Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), the following criteria are applicable in addition to the above:
- Disability Rating: You need to provide either a disability rating letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or a disability determination from the Department of Defense. This certification validates your status as a service-disabled veteran.
By meeting these requirements, you can pursue VOSB certification. SDVOSBs must ensure they have the necessary documentation to prove their disability status.
