The Carolinas MSDC conducts an extensive business review of new and existing MBEs. This review, the Certification Process, is designed to ensure compliance with the NMSDC member standards for certified minority business status. Certification by the Carolinas MSDC is a nationally recognized NMSDC Certification and has the capability of nationwide expansion through Reciprocal Service Status.
To become a Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), your business must meet the following requirements. Both current and historical facts are considered in determining ownership qualifications and participation in the management and operations of the company.
- Your business is a for-profit enterprise.
- Your business is physically located in the United States or its trust territories.
- Your business is at least 51% ethnic minority-owned. “Ethnic minority-owned” is defined as any business having owner(s) belonging to the following minority groups: Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American. See definition below.
- The minority/ethnic owner(s) of the business are U.S. citizens.
- The minority/ethnic owner(s) of the business must be active in management and daily business operations.
- A non-refundable certification processing fee of $295
Minority Definitions
| Black | A U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. |
| Asian-Indian | A U.S. citizen whose origins are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. |
| Asian-Pacific | A U.S. citizen whose origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas. |
| Hispanic | A U.S. citizen of true-born Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin only. Brazilians (Afro-Brazilian,indigenous/Indian only) shall be listed under Hispanic designation for review and certification purposes. |
| Native- American | A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native-Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e., tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number). |
