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Veteran-Owned Business Certification — a Listing, Not a Set-Aside

New Jersey certifies Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises: a business with its principal place of business in New Jersey, independently owned and operated, at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans. Be clear about what it buys. NO SET-ASIDE PERCENTAGE ATTACHES TO VOBE — the 3% state contracting set-aside is for DISABLED veteran-owned businesses (DVOBE) only. What VOBE gives you is certification and a place on the state registry, which agencies and prime contractors search. That is worth having; it is not the same thing as reserved work.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

New Jersey certifies Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises: a business with its principal place of business in New Jersey, independently owned and operated, at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans. Be clear about what it buys. NO SET-ASIDE PERCENTAGE ATTACHES TO VOBE — the 3% state contracting set-aside is for DISABLED veteran-owned businesses (DVOBE) only. What VOBE gives you is certification and a place on the state registry, which agencies and prime contractors search. That is worth having; it is not the same thing as reserved work.

What it's worth: State VOBE certification and a listing on the registry

  • Principal place of business in NEW JERSEY.
  • Independently owned and operated, AT LEAST 51% OWNED AND CONTROLLED by one or more veterans.
  • NO DISABILITY IS REQUIRED — this is distinct from DVOBE.
  • NO SET-ASIDE PERCENTAGE ATTACHES. The 3% set-aside is DVOBE-only.
  • What it delivers is certification and a registry listing that agencies and prime contractors search.
  • Administered by Treasury's Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You own a business.
  • New Jersey business certification.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Apply through Treasury's business certification programme.
  2. 2Be ready to show 51% ownership AND CONTROL, and that the principal place of business is in New Jersey.
  3. 3If you have a service-connected disability, apply for DVOBE instead or as well — that is the one with the 3% set-aside.
  4. 4Once certified, market the listing: it is a directory, and directories only work when someone is looking.
  5. 5Do not budget on the basis of reserved work. VOBE does not reserve any.
Form
Business certification application, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
File with
NJ Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingIf you have any service-connected disability rating, look at DVOBE first. The difference between the two certifications is the difference between a listing and a set-aside.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.