To be eligible for DBE certification, you must meet the social and economic disadvantaged criteria of Federal Regulations 49 Part 26. You are presumed to be disadvantaged if you are a woman, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American, or other minority found to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
In addition, you may be eligible for the program if:
Your firm is a for-profit business that performs, or seeks to perform, transportation related work (or concession activity) for USDOT funds.
Your personal net worth is under $1.32 million
The firm is at least 51% owned by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s) who also controls the firm.
All DBEs who wish to be certified in the state of North Carolina must be certified in their home state prior to applying.
The DBE certification process is used to become a certified MBE/WBE with NCDOT.