What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?

EDWOSB firms meet all WOSB requirements and their women owners are also economically disadvantaged (personal net worth under $850,000, average AGI of $400,000 or less, and $6.5 million or less in assets). EDWOSBs can bid on both WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides.

Can I self-certify as a WOSB?

No. Since 2020, firms must be certified through SBA Certifications (or an SBA-approved third-party certifier, with documents uploaded to SBA) to compete for WOSB set-asides.

Is WOSB certification free?

Certifying through SBA is free. Third-party certifiers may charge fees.

WOSB vs EDWOSB: what's the difference?

Both are part of SBA's Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract program. EDWOSB is a narrower status with economic limits, and it qualifies you for an extra pool of set-asides.

WOSB eligibility

Small under SBA size standards
At least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens
Women manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions

EDWOSB eligibility

Everything above, plus the women owners must be economically disadvantaged. Each must have:

Personal net worth under $850,000 (official retirement accounts excluded)
Average adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less over the previous three years
$6.5 million or less in personal assets

Which contracts can each bid on?

WOSB set-asides apply only to NAICS codes where SBA has found women-owned businesses underrepresented. A certified EDWOSB can compete for both WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides, while a WOSB can't compete for EDWOSB-only ones. SBA keeps the list of eligible NAICS codes on its SBA WOSB Federal Contract program page.

How to get certified

Apply free through the SBA Certifications portal, or use one of SBA's four approved third-party certifiers and upload that certificate. SBA aims to decide within 90 days of a complete application, and firms have a program examination every three years.

See current WOSB set-aside opportunities.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between WOSB and EDWOSB?: EDWOSB firms meet all WOSB requirements and their women owners are also economically disadvantaged (personal net worth under $850,000, average AGI of $400,000 or less, and $6.5 million or less in assets). EDWOSBs can bid on both WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides.
Can I self-certify as a WOSB?: No. Since 2020, firms must be certified through SBA Certifications (or an SBA-approved third-party certifier, with documents uploaded to SBA) to compete for WOSB set-asides.
Is WOSB certification free?: Certifying through SBA is free. Third-party certifiers may charge fees.

SetAside Signal is an independent publication, not a government agency, and this isn't legal advice. Rules change, so confirm details at sba.gov, sam.gov and acquisition.gov. Reviewed Oct 15, 2026.