Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

A DBE is a for-profit small business concern:

1. That is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged;

AND 

2. Whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who must control the management and daily business operations of your small business.

"Socially and economically disadvantaged individual" means any individual who is a citizen (or lawfully admitted permanent resident) of the United States and who a certifier finds to be socially and economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis. A determination that an individual is socially and economically disadvantaged must not be based in whole or in part on race or sex. For that reason, all applicants shall qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged if they can meet the relevant criteria described in 49 CFR § 26.67. Being born in a particular country does not, standing alone, mean that a person is necessarily socially and economically disadvantaged.

Visit the California Unified Certification Program Certification (CUCP) Portal: https://californiaucp.dbesystem.com/. The CUCP is responsible for DBE certification in the state of California.