SDVOSB and VOSB are the two federal certifications built around veteran ownership. Both require a business to be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by veterans. SDVOSB, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, adds one more requirement on top: at least one qualifying veteran owner needs a service-connected disability rating documented by the VA. VOSB has no disability requirement, and is otherwise built on the same ownership and control test.
The two side by side
| VOSB | SDVOSB | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | Veterans, 51 percent | Veterans, 51 percent |
| Disability rating required | No | Yes, service-connected, VA-documented |
| Set-aside pool | Smaller | Larger |
Certification runs through VetCert
Both certifications are handled by SBA's VetCert system. VetCert took over veteran certification from the VA itself in 2023, so if you come across older guidance describing a VA-run process, treat it as out of date and check SBA's veteran contracting assistance page directly.
Why this one is worth extra attention if the VA buys what you sell
Every agency has small business goals, but the VA runs its own additional layer on top: a preference for veteran-owned firms under what it calls Vets First, applied ahead of some other small business categories when the VA buys. That does not guarantee a VA contract goes to a veteran-owned firm, but it means SDVOSB and VOSB carry more practical weight at the VA than the same certifications tend to carry at other agencies. If your business already sells into the VA, or could, this certification is worth pursuing even before you weigh the government-wide set-aside numbers.
Documenting the disability rating
The line between VOSB and SDVOSB comes down to one document: a VA letter showing a service-connected disability rating for a qualifying owner. Under current rules there is no minimum rating percentage to qualify for SDVOSB, so even a low rating can count, though it is worth confirming that against VetCert's current guidance since veteran certification rules have shifted more than once in recent years. If you have that letter, SDVOSB is generally the stronger path to pursue, since it reaches a larger set-aside pool than VOSB. If you do not have a rated disability, VOSB is still open on the same ownership and control terms.
Who it fits
Both certifications fit veteran-owned businesses where the veteran owner is genuinely running the company, not just holding the ownership stake. See do you qualify for SDVOSB for the full rule set, including the control test that trips up more applications than the ownership percentage itself.