Do I need a VA disability rating?
Yes, a service-connected disability rating from the VA is required for SDVOSB. VOSB does not require it.
SBA — VetCert · Service-disabled veterans
SDVOSB — Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Federal certification for service-disabled veterans who own and control their business — unlocks SDVOSB set-asides at every agency.
Who qualifies
- Veteran with a service-connected disability rating from the VA
- Owns at least 51% of the business unconditionally and directly
- Holds the highest officer position and controls long-term decisions
- Manages day-to-day operations
Why this certification matters
The federal government has a 3% government-wide SDVOSB contracting goal. SDVOSB is the strongest certification for veteran-owned businesses pursuing federal work — many agencies prefer or require it for veteran set-asides.
Documents you’ll need
- DD-214 (Member 4 copy preferred)
- VA disability rating letter
- Business formation documents (articles, operating agreement)
- Tax returns (business and personal, last 3 years)
- Ownership/control evidence (cap table, board resolutions)
- Bank statements demonstrating active operations
Process
Document prep
We pull every required artifact into your VetBiz workspace and run a pre-flight check against SBA requirements.
Application
You submit through the SBA VetCert portal. We provide field-by-field guidance and review your inputs.
SBA review
SBA evaluates eligibility, ownership, and control. We track status and respond to follow-up requests.
Certification
On approval, you receive your SDVOSB designation. We update your VetBiz profile and SAM.gov entity.
How VetBiz helps
- Document checklist and one-click upload to workspace
- AI-assisted ownership/control narrative draft
- Pre-flight review against current SBA requirements
- SAM.gov entity sync after approval
- Annual recertification reminders
FAQ
Can my spouse own the business?
The qualifying veteran must own at least 51% directly and unconditionally. Spousal ownership is fine for the remaining share.
Ready when you are
Pursue your SDVOSB certification.
Run the eligibility screen, gather documents, and submit — with VetBiz alongside you the whole way.