Certification

  • Who Is Eligible?

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) does not certify Minority, Women or Small Business Enterprises. However, CMS shall accept certification from any bona fide certifying entity, by way of example and not limitation, certification from such entities as the City of Charlotte/Charlotte Business Inclusion, State of North Carolina Historically Underutilized Business Office, Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council and the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

    Persons seeking certification must meet certain criteria:

    MWSBE certification applies to a minority-owned business that is owned, operated, and controlled by one or more minority group members who have at least 51 percent ownership, operational and managerial control, interest in capital, earnings commensurate with their percentage of ownership and continuing not created solely to meet the MWSBE requirements. In addition, see the following general requirements:

    • Minority owned business - A business owned, operated and controlled by a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States who is:
    • African American
    • Hispanic / Latino American
    • Asian American
    • Native American
    • Woman-owned business - A business owned, operated and controlled by one (1) or more non-minority women that do not have origins in any of the groups listed under minority who have 51 percent ownership, interest in capital, earnings commensurate with their percentage of ownership and continuing not created solely to meet the MWSBE requirements.
    • Small Business - A business enterprise owned, operated and controlled by one (1) or more eligible owners who have 51 percent ownership and interest, holds the professional or contractor license necessary for the operation and is 25 percent or less of the applicable size standards established by the Small Business Administration. SBE certification also includes a personal net worth limitation, a minimum of three months in business, and a location within the Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area.

    Businesses interested in becoming certified can contact the following agencies: