Certification

Register your business as a  certified military spouse-owned enterprise through our secure portal.

Why Register?

The Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise Certification (MSEC) gives military spouse-owned businesses a seat at the table. We have worked very hard to build relationships with companies who want to hire, and support military spouse-owned business. An official certification allows corporations to track supplier diversity spend with military spouse-owned businesses.

The Benefits of your Certification

B2B Business Opportunities

Certified Military Spouse-Owned Enterprises will receive notifications of business opportunities with companies who are looking to hire military spouse-owned businesses for B2B services.

MSEC Badge

Receive a Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise Certification badge for use on your website and branding materials to market your business to prospective clients.

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Marketing Exposure

Each approved Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise will have the option to be featured on the Military Spouse Chamber’s blog and social media outlets. We want to create brand familiarity, and to recognize the hard work you’ve put into building your business.

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Credibility

Establish a positive reputation for your business. Being an offically registered entrprise will help you stand out among the competition, enhance credibility for your brand, and open windows of opportunity for you as an entrepreneur.

Military Spouses Eligible for Certification?

In the spirit of inclusivity, a military spouse is defined (outside the confines of federal entities) as a current partner of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces including Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves and Veteran service members, we include Spouse Caregivers, Dual Military Spouses, and Gold Star Spouses.

Eligibility

To become an official Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise (MSEC) we need to make sure you’re a legally registered business, and owned by a military spouse. We individually review each application to ensure you meet all requirements for your business before we grant approval.

To be eligible for the Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise Certification, a business must:

  • Must be a registered member of the U.S. Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce.
  • Be a legally registered business according to the local, state, federal, Host Nation (if OCONUS), and military installation where the business is located.
  • Be at least 51% owned and operated by a U.S. military spouse, or jointly owned by two or more military spouses.
  • If the business is owned by the military spouse and their veteran,  50/50% ownership is accepted, this includes current or former “dual military” couples.
  • The military spouse must manage daily operations and be a primary decision-maker for the organization.

The Process

Check out the image below for the 40,000 ft view of the process. From the day you submit your application to our team’s review takes approximately 30-45 days. After a successful review, you will then schedule a virtual site visit outlined below.

You will also want to view the detailed table including all the required documents for the application.

Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce MSEC Process

Certification Tiers

Nonprofit — Additional Documents

Nonprofit organizations are not “owned” by anyone, but we recognize that many military spouses have founded and lead nonprofit organizations, and are proud to be recognized as a Military Spouse Led Nonprofit. *Nonprofit organizations require additional documentation. Please click here to see the list of nonprofit documents.

APPLY - Through Our Secure Portal

Our top priority is your security. You can rest assured our application portal is safe and secure, using technology approved for use of sensitive document upload and storage in the banking and medical industries. Once we’ve reviewed and approved your certification, you can manage your documentation from your account. If you have questions, reach out.

*Review the chart and printable checklists below prior to uploading your documents.

Help Center

If you need help, you can visit our Help Center.

Frequently Asked Certification Questions

Is this certification free?
Yes, for now!

For the duration of 2021-2022, all certification fees are generously provided by our sponsors Johnson & Johnson, National University, and USAA Small Business Insurance.

We hope to continue receiving sponsorship well into the future, however, beginning in 2023, you may start seeing fees for this certification should we lose sponsorship… So… we recommend applying now!

What documents do I use to verify military affiliation?
We mimick the USAJOBS.gov process for your military affiliation documents.

We need a document such as a redacted set of orders, DD 214, or similar, PLUS a copy of your marriage certificate to verify that you are the spouse of a current or former service member.

What is the "MSCC Data Agreement + Statement of Fact" document?
We require that you agree to our data usage terms for the MSCC application portal.

Additional, we require a signed statement validating that all materials in your application are factual.

You can view and download the document here:MSCC Data Agreement + Statement of Fact

Do I need to a Notary to sign the Statement of Fact as a witness?
No. On the section of the Statement of Fact that asks for a witness, you need just that a witness — an adult. You do not need to utilize a Notary Public.
Is my information safe and kept private?
Yes. We utlize a SOC 2 secure document upload portal rated for use in the medical and financial industires.

During your application, you’ll be asked voluntary self ID questions surrounding your personal and business demographic information. Your (voluntary) answers are utilized for research. Your individual name or business name will never be used. We compile the data collected into reports stating (an example) “Over 90% of certified Military Spouse-Owned Enterprises are owned and operated by females.”

Do I have to be an LLC to apply?
No.

We do not care how your business entity is structured (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietor, etc.).

We validate that you are a legally registered business entity in the area where you live including: your State, military installation and/or Host Nation, if applicable.

May nonprofit organizations apply for this certification?
Yes. Since nonprofit organizations are not technically “owned” by anyone, your documentation should prove that the nonprofit was founded by, and is controlled by military spouse(s).

Nonprofits need to submit additional documentation found here: NONPROFIT CHECKLIST

How do I use this certification?
Here are some of the ways we’ve seen military spouses utilizing our badge:

  • Website footers and web pages
  • Email signatures
  • Capability statements
  • Social media campaigns
  • Social media and online profiles
  • Marketing and promotional materials
  • Power point slides
  • Resumes and cover letters
  • Applications for funding
  • Portfolios
  • Blog posts and press releases
  • Supplier portals and databases
  • Storefront windows
  • Auto decals
  • Product packaging

Upon being granted the certification, you may proudly display the MSEC badge where you choose as long as you represent the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce and our Military Spouse Owned Enterprise certification with the utmost level of integrity and professionalism.

Sneak Peek of the MSEC Badge

MSEC businesses recieve a color and greyscale badge designed for use online, and white version of the MSEC badge designed for storefront windows. Please do not utilize the proof images below. If you would like the MSEC badge, apply for the certification and you will receive the badge upon approval.