Minority Eligibility

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Minority Eligibility Requirements

There are numerous eligibility requirements that must be met in order to obtain minority certification in the State of Florida. Since the burden of proof is on the business owner, necessary documentation must be provided. If this documentation is not submitted accurately and in a timely manner, Certification is denied and the business owner becomes ineligible to re-apply for 6 months. Don't take the chance on this happening. API has extensive experience preparing and submitting all necessary paperwork required for certification.

Below are the starting requirements necessary for consideration:

  • Minority owner is a U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident Alien
  • Minority owner is a Resident of the State of Florida
  • Business is located in the State of Florida
  • The minority's business must be considered a small business (net worth of business does not exceed three (3) million dollars and an average net worth for the preceding two (2) years of not more than two (2) million dollars AND employs less than 100 or fewer full-time permanent employees.
  • A member of a minority or a Service-disabled Veteran group defined by the State of Florida as:
    • African American
    • Hispanic American (Origins from Spain, Portugal, Mexico, South America, Central America, or the Caribbean, regardless of race)
    • Asian American (Origins from Far East, Southeast, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands, including Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778)
    • Native American (Origins from any Indian Tribe in North America prior to 1835)
    • Caucasian American Woman
    • Service-disabled Veteran (service connected disability of 10 percent or greater as determined by the United Stated Department of Veterans Affairs or who has been terminated from military service by reason of disability by the United States Department of Defense)
  • The minority must be at least 51% owner of the business
  • Minority owner must operate, directly control, exercise sufficient management and technical responsibilities for the business on a day-to-day basis
  • If a professional license is required by the business industry, the minority owner MUST hold the license
  • Transfer of Ownership from a non-minority owner to a minority owner is forbidden within two (2) years of seeking certification unless the minority owner is the professional license qualifier for the company
  • The minority business must be currently performing or seeking to perform a useful business function.