Welcome to the NYS MWBE Application Guide
Navigating the New York State Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification process can be overwhelming — but you’re not alone. This course is designed to walk you step-by-step through every requirement of the application, helping you prepare a strong, complete, and well-organized submission.
What to Expect
The NYS MWBE application includes approximately 30 required items*, each of which plays a crucial role in proving your business’s eligibility. In this course, each lesson is dedicated to one of these requirements. You’ll receive:
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Clear explanations of what each document or item is and why it matters
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Sample content and templates to guide you in preparing your materials
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Upload prompts to store each completed document in your secure online portfolio
By the time you finish the course, you will have gathered and organized every document needed to apply — no missing pieces, no last-minute scrambling.
*Applicants must submit documents for ALL required items. If a particular item does not apply to the business, the applicant must still submit a document stating that the particular application item does not apply. For example, for the item requesting additional documents, the company can state: “The owners of New Company LLC do not wish to add additional documents.”
How to Use This Guide
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Move lesson-by-lesson: Focus on one requirement at a time for steady progress.
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Upload as you go: Your portfolio will grow with each step, creating a complete application package.
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Refer back anytime: You can revisit any lesson if you need to revise or update a document.
Let’s get started — your NYS MWBE certification is within reach. This guide will help you get there, one step at a time.
Curriculum
- 31 Sections
- 31 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Introduction to the NYS MBWEWelcome to the first section of the NYS MWBE Application Guide. Before diving into the required documents, it’s important to understand what the MWBE certification is, why it matters, and how this course will support you along the way. This section lays the foundation for your application journey. You’ll get a clear overview of the certification program, access essential resources, and learn how to use your portfolio to track progress and stay organized.2
- Certification Affidavit (Part of application; Signed and Notarized)Instructions for completing the Certification Affidavit included as part of the MWBE application downloaded from your NY Contracts account.2
- Personal Net Worth Affidavit, Attachment A (Part of application; Signed and Notarized)Instructions for completing the Personal Net Worth Affidavit A included as part of the MWBE application downloaded from your NY Contracts account.2
- Personal Net Worth Worksheet, Attachment B, if applicableInstructions for completing the Personal Net Worth Affidavit B included as part of the MWBE application downloaded from your NY Contracts account.2
- Proof of US citizenship or permanent resident alien statusInstructions for gathering proof of US citizenship or permanent resident alien status.2
- Proof of minority group member status, if applicableInstructions for gathering proof of minority group member status.2
- Proof of gender, if applicableInstructions for gathering proof of gender.1
- Capitalization Proof of Business Capitalization (in the form of money, property, equipment, or expertise) if applicableInstructions for gathering proof of capitalization.2
- Federal and State Individual Income Tax ReturnInstructions for gathering Federal and State Individual Income Tax Returns.2
- Business Tax Returns Federal and State Income Tax Return for the applicant businessInstructions for gathering Federal and State Income Tax Returns for the applicant business.2
- Form W-2s (including Form W-3) issued by the applicant businessInstructions for gathering Form W-2s (including Form W-3) issued by the applicant business.2
- Bank signature cards or a letter from the bankInstructions for gathering bank signature cards or a letter from the bank.2
- Resumes of all owners, directors, officers, and other key employees of the applicant businessInstructions for gathering resumes of all owners, directors, officers, and other key employees of the applicant business.2
- All licenses, permits, certifications, and/or accreditationsInstructions for gathering copies of all licenses, permits, certifications, and/or accreditations.2
- Application for Authority and filing receipt, foreign entity onlyInstructions for responding to this item.2
- Certificate of Assumed Name and filing receipt, if applicableInstructions for gathering Certificate of Assumed Name and filing receipt.2
- Proof of significant business presence in New York StateInstructions for gathering proof of significant business presence in New York State.2
- Proof the applicant business is actively conducting business in New York StateInstructions for gathering proof the applicant business is actively conducting business in New York State.2
- Current leases and/or deedsInstructions for gathering current leases and/or deeds.2
- Third-party agreementsInstructions for gathering third-party agreements.2
- Other AgreementsInstructions for gathering documents confirming other agreements your business might have.2
- Contracts and Proof of PaymentInstructions for gathering contracts and proof of payment.2
- Subcontracts and Proof of Payment to SubcontractorsInstructions for gathering subcontracts and proof of payment to subcontractors.2
- Articles of Organization and Filing ReceiptInstructions for gathering Articles of Organization and Filing Receipt.2
- Membership LedgerInstructions for gathering Membership Ledger.2
- Operating AgreementInstructions for gathering Operating Agreement.2
- Optional: Written request for exemption from disclosure regarding trade secretsInstructions for the optional written request for exemption from disclosure regarding trade secrets.2
- Optional: Addendum for MWBE Certification with County of Erie and City of Buffalo; Joint Certification CommitteeInstructions for the optional addendum for MWBE Certification with County of Erie and City of Buffalo; Joint Certification Committee.2
- Optional: Addendum for MWBE Certification with New York City Department of Small Business ServicesInstructions for the optional addendum for MWBE Certification with New York City Department of Small Business Services.2
- Optional: Addendum for MWBE Certification with Port Authority of New York and New JerseyInstructions for the optional addendum for MWBE Certification with Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.2
- Congratulations! – Submit ApplicationComplete the final ‘quiz’ to mark that you have submitted your online NYS MWBE application from your NY Contracts account. Pay close attention to your email to respond promptly to requests from NYS for more information.1
Instructor
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