Ohio MBE Program

The program summary on this page was last updated on 07/25/2018. If any of the information or links are out-of-date, please contact us.

Ohioan businesses that are owned by certain socially and economically disadvantaged persons are eligible to become certified as an Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Once a business is certified as a MBE, it is eligible to be counted towards meeting the 15% goal for procurement of goods and services for the state. Criteria for certification include but are not limited to having day-to-day control over the business, one year of prior operation, and Ohioan residency. The application must be completed online. There is an average 19-day processing time.

Does this local/state program offer reciprocal certifications with other local/state programs? The DAS specifies a number of certifications from other entities that makes a business eligible for cross certification procedures, enumerated at http://das.ohio.gov/Divisions/Equal-Opportunity/Business-Certification/Cross-Certification. 

Does this certification expire? The certification is valid for two years. After that an MBE must demonstrate (and such demonstration must be made before expiry) that they are still valid to pass certification criteria.

Is any loan or bonding assistance provided through this program? Yes, MBEs certified by DAS thereby become eligible for certain programs, such as (as listed by DAS) the Minority Business Bonding Program, the Capital Access Program, the Ohio Mini-Loan Guarantee Program, the Collateral Enhancement Program, and the Targeted Investment Program.

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