Confirm your business meets the criteria here.

To become a Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), your business must meet the following NATIONAL MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL requirements.

• Both current and historical facts are considered in determining ownership qualifications and participation in the management and operations of the company.
• Your business is a for-profit enterprise.
• Your business is physically located in the United States or its trust territories.
• Your business is at least 51% ethnic minority owned. Ethnic minority owned is defined as any business having owner(s) belonging to the following minority groups:
  • African-American having origins in any black racial groups of Africa (not of Hispanic origin)
  • Hispanic whose origin is from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America, or Hispanic cultures or descents
  • Asian and Pacific Islanders whose origin is from Japan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, Northern Marianas, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
  • Native American having origins in any of the American/Alaskan Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians. All American/Alaska Indians must be documented members of a federally recognized tribal entity.
• The minority/ethnic owner(s) of the business are U.S. citizens.
• The minority/ethnic owner(s) of the business must be active in management and daily business operations.
• The minority owner(s) shall possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the firm and shall possess the capability of making day-to-day as well as major decisions on matters of management, policy and operations of the firm. There shall be no restriction on the minority owner’s ability to control which would prevent the minority owner from making a business decision without the cooperation or vote of a non-minority person.  Such control shall be known or at least tacitly acknowledged in day-to-day operations by employees and business references of the business.  Where licenses are required to perform the functional mission of the company, such licenses shall be held in the name and/or independent control of minorities.
• The minority ownership and control shall be real and continuing and not created solely to take advantage of special programs aimed at minority business development.
• The minority owner(s) shall enjoy the customary incidents of ownership and shall share in the risks and profits and shall have contributed capital, equipment and/or expertise to the business commensurate with his/her percentage of ownership.
• The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council reserves the right to deny or revoke certification for cause at any time.

Gather necessary documentation outlined here:

(documents will vary by business types – below is a sample for corporations)

• The history of business
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Incorporation
• Stock Certificates and Stock Ledger
• Minutes to Board of Director’s meetings, as well as Shareholder’s meetings
• Bylaws (executed and attested) and Amendments (if applicable)
• All agreement(s) pertaining to ownership, operation and control of the business
• Business cards that list appropriate corporate titles, copies of resumes, copy of driver’s licenses and proof of US Citizenship (Birth certificates or U.S. Passports only) for all Principals
• Corporate Bank Resolution Agreement(s) to include Bank Signature Card(s)
• Business Lease Agreement(s) (and Security Deeds if home-based)
• Proof of general liability insurance and in some cases bonding
• Copies of the businesses’ cancelled checks
• Most recent years’ federal taxes with associated schedules

Complete and submit your application online, including payment.

Undergo a desk audit and site visit to verify business details.

• Conducting Site Visit — The Certification Committee or Council Staff will perform a site visit to review your business premises and conduct a personal interview of the owner(s).

Your application will be reviewed by the certification compliance committee.

• Committee Review — The Certification Committee meets on the second Thursday of each month to review applications for MBE Certification. Two members of the Certification Committee must review the application before a site visit can be recommended and the file is submitted to the Board for final approval.

The Board of Directors will make the final approval.

• Board Review — The Board will review the Certification Committee’s recommendation and make the final decision. If the Board rejects the application, you may submit a letter of appeal. If approved, you will be notified by e-mail to attend the New Members Orientation (Inter-Change).

Receive your certification status, valid for 1 year with annual renewal required.

• Attend New Members Orientation (Inter-Change) to receive your certificate and learn more about the Houston Minority Development Council and how it can help with your business.