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Certified Veteran-Owned Business — a Logo and a Directory, and Nothing More

Wisconsin certifies a business at least 51% owned by veterans meeting the WDVA service criteria, giving a Certified Veteran-Owned Business LOGO and a listing in the searchable state directory. Be clear about the limit: NO GRANT OR FEE CONCESSION ATTACHES. It is marketing and visibility, not money or contracting preference. If you have a service-connected disability, the DISABLED veteran-owned certification is the one with the 5% purchasing target — a different programme entirely.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Wisconsin certifies a business at least 51% owned by veterans meeting the WDVA service criteria, giving a Certified Veteran-Owned Business LOGO and a listing in the searchable state directory. Be clear about the limit: NO GRANT OR FEE CONCESSION ATTACHES. It is marketing and visibility, not money or contracting preference. If you have a service-connected disability, the DISABLED veteran-owned certification is the one with the 5% purchasing target — a different programme entirely.

What it's worth: A certification logo and a state directory listing

  • AT LEAST 51% OWNED by one or more veterans meeting the WDVA service criteria.
  • Delivers a CERTIFIED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS LOGO and a listing in the SEARCHABLE STATE DIRECTORY.
  • NO GRANT OR FEE CONCESSION ATTACHES. It is marketing and visibility.
  • Service criteria: TWO OR MORE YEARS peacetime active duty; 90 OR MORE DAYS wartime; CRISIS-ZONE service; an EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL; or an honorable discharge route.
  • IF YOU HAVE A SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY, the DISABLED veteran-owned certification carries a 5% state purchasing target — a different programme.
  • A directory only works when someone searches it, so treat the listing as a starting point.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You own a business.
  • Wisconsin 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 to WDVA for the Certified Veteran-Owned Business certification.
  2. 2IF YOU HAVE ANY SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY, apply for the disabled veteran-owned certification through the DOA Supplier Diversity Program instead or as well — that one has a purchasing target.
  3. 3Check which service route you meet; the crisis-zone and expeditionary medal routes are easy to overlook.
  4. 4Once certified, use the logo actively. The certification does not generate work by itself.
  5. 5Do not budget on any fee concession; there is none.
Form
Certification application to WDVA
File with
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
CorrectionA veteran who certifies here expecting a contracting preference will be disappointed. The preference lives in the disabled veteran-owned certification, and the two are easy to confuse because the names are so close.

Sources

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