To become certified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), it is crucial to fulfill the necessary requirements outlined below:

  1. Military Service: You must have served on active duty with the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard.
  2. Honorable Discharge: You must have received an honorable discharge or release from your military service.
  3. Veteran Ownership: A minimum of 51% of your business must be owned by veterans. This demonstrates the significant involvement of veterans in the company.
  4. 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:

  1. 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.