1. 
What is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)?
What is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)?An MBE is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the U. S. or its trust territories, which is 51 percent owned, managed, operated and controlled by an ethnic minority or a group of ethnic minorities on a day-to-day basis.
2. What is an ethnic minority?
What is an ethnic minority?For purposes of NMSDC's program, an ethnic minority group member is an individual who is a U.S. Citizen with at least 1/4 or 25% minimum (documentation to support claim of 25% required from applicant) and is a person whose bloodline reflects an indigenous heritage or whose origin is of or from:
•any of the Black racial groups of Sub-Saharan Africa (African-Americans)
any of the Black racial groups of Sub-Saharan Africa (African-Americans) ••any of the Spanish speaking countries of Latin America, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Brazil (Afro-Brazilian and Brazilian Indians only) (Hispanic-Americans) NB: Afro – Caribbean descendents are also eligible.
•any of the Spanish speaking countries of Latin America, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Brazil (Afro-Brazilian and Brazilian Indians only) (Hispanic-Americans) NB: Afro – Caribbean descendents are also eligible.••American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian (Native Americans). NB: Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or organized group of native people indigenous to the continental U.S.
•American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian (Native Americans). NB: Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or organized group of native people indigenous to the continental U.S.••Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Samoa, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas and Vietnam. (Asian Americans (incl. Pacific Islanders, Asian Indian Americans))
•Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Samoa, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas and Vietnam. (Asian Americans (incl. Pacific Islanders, Asian Indian Americans))3.What groups are not considered ethnic minorities?
What groups are not considered ethnic minorities? Individuals whose origins or heritage are of or from:
••Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal)
•Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal)••Asia Minor Region (Peninsula between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean)
•Asia Minor Region (Peninsula between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean)••Persian Gulf (Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia)
•Persian Gulf (Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia)••Europe
•Europe••Northern Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia)
•Northern Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia) are not eligible.
•Women whose origin or heritage is not from an ethnic minority group.
Women whose origin or heritage is not from an ethnic minority group. 4. What is MBE Certification?
What is MBE Certification?MBE Certification is the process by which an applicant’s business status is validated by a certifying agency as being at least 51 percent owned, managed, operated and controlled by an ethnic minority or a group of minorities. The Council certification is in accordance with NMSDC guidelines.
5. What is NMSDC?
What is NMSDC?Chartered in 1972, NMSDC (National Minority Business Supplier Development Council) is the premier minority business advocacy organization in the U.S. The Council operates and adheres to standards under an affiliation agreement with NMSDC, and By-laws and policies adopted by The Council’s Board of Directors. NMSDC’s vast network includes 39 regional Councils nationwide, more than 3,500 of the world’s largest publicly, privately, and foreign-owned corporations, and more than 15,000 MBEs. NMSDC’s objective has been the parity for minority-owned business firms within the free enterprise system. You can visit them on the web at www.nmsdcus.org.
6. What is the cost of MBE Certification?
What is the cost of MBE Certification?The cost of certification is a non-refundable fee of $250.00
7. How long is Certification valid?
How long is Certification valid?MBE certification is valid for one year.
8. What is Re-certification?
What is Re-certification?Re-certification is the renewal of your MBE certification status, upon expiration of your annual certification. The process requires you to update your company and contact information (e.g., gross annual sales and financial information), and is not as extensive as the original certification process, except in cases of company name and ownership changes. The annual re-certification fee is $150.00.
9. What is Reciprocal Certification?
What is Reciprocal Certification?Reciprocal Certification is the certification by an NMSDC affiliate council of an MBE already certified by the MBE’s home council, and whose certification is in good standing. The council from which you request reciprocal certification obtains a copy of your certificate from your home council to verify your standing, and upon receipt of your completed notarized reciprocal application, initiates the reciprocal certification process.
10. What qualifies me to become MBE-certified by RMMSDC?
What qualifies me to become MBE-certified by RMMSDC?•Your company must be at least 51% owned, by an ethnic minority or a group of ethnic minorities on a day-to-day basis.
•Owner(s) must be U.S. citizens. Green Card holders/resident aliens are not eligible for certification.
•Your company must be headquartered in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, or New Mexico
1445 MARKET, SUITE 310 :: DENVER, CO 80202 :: Phone 303.623.3037 :: Fax (303) 595-0027
