Certification FAQs

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions The following is a list of frequently asked questions and suggested guidelines regarding SCMBDC's MBE certification application. 1. What is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)? 2. What groups are not considered ethnic minorities? 3. What is an ethnic minority? 4. What qualifies me to become MBE-certified by SCMBDC? 5. What is MBE Certification? 6. How long will it take to become certified? 7. What is the process for Certificatioin? 8. What documents are required to determine my eligibility of MBE status? 9. How long is Certification valid? 10. Will I need to supply all documents with my application? 11. I work out of my home. Does my company still qualify for certification? 12. Can a start-up business become certified by SCMBDC? 13. What is a Site Visit? 14. Who/what is National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC)? 15. Why is it important that suppliers be certified? Why do majority corporations often require NMSDC/SCMBDC certification before doing business with them? 16. I am a new start-up business and my company has no financial or income statements at this time. What should I do? Can I still be certified? 17. What is an 8(a) certification number? 18. What is the cost of MBE Certification? 19. What is Recertification? 20. What benefits do MBEs receive from SCMBDC certification? 21. Am I required to complete every item in the application? 22. What is a “Member”? 23. Why do you ask for my financial information and what financial information will I need to provide? 24. Will my company need a business license? 25. What is and where can I find a D&B D-U-N-S Number? 26. What is MBISYS? 27. What is Reciprocal Certification? 28. What other documents may be used to prove my ethnicity? 29. What kind of "History" is required about my company? 30. What are NAICS codes? 31. If the bank will not give me a “Bank Signature Card”, what should I do? 32. I am the ethnic minority business owner; however, I do not sign checks and am not on the checking account for my company. Do I still qualify for certification? 33. What is a "DBA" and/or "FBN"? 34. I am a Native American, how do I prove my ethnicity? 35. I have yet to file my income taxes this year. What should I do? 36. What is a company’s Certified Articles of Incorporation? 37. What should I put under "Equipment Information"? 38. What should I put under "Construction Information"? 39. What is the Confidential Disclosure Agreement? 40. What is the definition of ownership as being the 51% owner? 41. If I am not a United States Citizen but I am a Resident Alien with a Green Card, is my business still eligible for certification? 42. What are“Minority Group Members”? 43. Which “Minutes” should my company provide? 44. What are Customer Business References? 45. What is a Balance Sheet? 46. What is an Income Statement? 47. What are you referring to when you say "Plant"? 48. What is an "Affidavit of Applicant"?

Frequently Asked Questions