What You Should Know When Applying for 8(a) Business Development Program Certification

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides free one-on-one counseling – through our resource partners (Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) and Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)) that are located throughout the country – to assist you in preparing your application package for certification in the 8(a) Business Development Program.  The SBA has not contracted with or authorized any firm, to act as an intermediary, to provide small businesses with assistance in preparing an 8(a) application package. We realize that there are numerous independent firms that charge fees to assist small businesses in completing the 8(a) application and in gathering the necessary supporting documentation for 8(a) certification. However, none of these firms are working on behalf of the SBA. In addition, these firms cannot guarantee (despite their claims) that your 8(a) application package will be approved. If you have any questions, or require clarification regarding the 8(a) application process, please contact your local district office.

In addition to SBA’s free in-person business counseling assistance, workshops and seminars, each of SBA’s District Offices publishes and provides printed resource guides which are a valuable reference tool for small businesses. This resource guide is a roadmap to all of SBA’s valuable products and services and is free of charge.

The SBDCs, WBCs and SCORE all offer one-on-one counseling, workshops and other networking opportunities to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations. You can locate your nearest SBDC by visiting the SBDC Locator. For the location of the nearest WBC, see SBA’s list of WBCs. For the location of the nearest SCORE office, see the SCORE Website.