There are various certifications for women/woman owned businesses. The specific acronym of your certification, whether it is self-certification or a 3rd Party Certification, distinguishes which government or private organization will acknowledge and accept the certification. It also distinguishes who/which regulations oversee the claim to certification.

• Women Owned Small Business (WOSB)
• Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
• Women Owned Business (WOB-Self-Certification*)
• Women Business Enterprise (WBE, WOB)

* Please note: You can self-certify that your company is WOB if you are indeed eligible (51% or more owned and controlled by woman/women). However, WOB is not the same as the WOSB/EDWOSB program. WOSB/EDWOSB has specific requirements before one can claim such status. However, there are actual third-party certifying organizations who can formally certify you as WOB, WBE if you qualify.