# How do I verify a company's 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB or SDVOSB status with an API? The authoritative source is SBA: the Small Business Search (SBS) and MySBA Certifications list certified 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, EDWOSB and VetCert firms. SAM.gov registrations also carry SBA certification codes, so an entity API can show and filter them: the 1 Nov 2026 extract lists 3,917 8(a) participants, 678 8(a) joint ventures and 3,995 HUBZone firms. That is the teaming-partners endpoint (Pro) or an entity search with set_aside.Checked on 2026-11-15.Official source: [SBA Small Business Search](https://search.certifications.sba.gov/) | 8(a) participants (A6) | 3,917 | | --- | --- | | 8(a) joint ventures (JT) | 678 | | HUBZone firms (XX) | 3,995 | | Authority | SBA (SBS, MySBA Certifications) | ## The answer in detail Self-certifications (small business, woman-owned) are representations the firm makes in SAM.gov; SBA certifications are approvals SBA grants. Contracting officers verify SBA certifications in SBA's systems, so treat SAM.gov codes as a strong pointer, not the final word.Since 2023, veteran certifications (VOSB and SDVOSB) are issued by SBA's VetCert program rather than the VA, and SAM.gov reflects them as SBA certifications too.For teaming searches the filter is what matters: every certified firm in a NAICS code and state, active, not excluded. That is the teaming-partners endpoint (Pro) or an entity search with set_aside. ## How the options compare | Option | Price | Access and limits | Coverage and history | Best for | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [SAM.gov APIs (official)](https://open.gsa.gov/api/entity-api/) | Free | 10 requests a day with no SAM.gov role, 1,000 with a role or a non-federal system account; keys expire every 90 days | The live, authoritative record: entities, opportunities, exclusions, contract awards, hierarchy, subawards | Anyone who needs the official record itself, at low volume | 2026-11-12 | | [GovCon API (govconapi.com)](https://govconapi.com/pricing) | Developer $19/mo, Pro $39/mo; 14-day trial | 1,000 requests an hour (50 a minute burst); trial 50 a day | 12,265,150 contracts and 758,552 opportunities from FY2025; 904,090 entities, monthly | Developers who want the lowest entry price and FY2025+ history | 2026-11-15 | | [samgovapi.io](https://samgovapi.io/pricing) | Free (100 credits a month, no card); Developer $49/mo, Pro $149/mo, Scale $499/mo | 20 to 180 requests a minute by plan, no daily cap; REST, MCP and keyless MCP search | 881,370 entities (1 Nov 2026 extract), 74,420 notices, 169,191 exclusions, 114,954 awards since 1 Oct 2026 | Developers and AI agents who want entities, bids and exclusions joined in one API | 2026-11-15 | ## Where samgovapi.io is the weaker choice - SBA's own systems are the authority; certifications granted after 1 Nov 2026 are not in this load. - GovCon API's Pro plan adds SBA small business profiles (637,321 records) that are not here. ## Try it Active 8(a) firms in one NAICS code and state. ``` curl "https://samgovapi.io/api/v1/entities?naics=541512&state=VA&set_aside=A6&status=active" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $SAMGOVAPI_API_KEY" ``` ## Questions Where do contracting officers check HUBZone status?In SBA's systems: the HUBZone map for locations and MySBA Certifications or SBS for the firm.Does SAM.gov show WOSB certification?SAM.gov shows both the firm's WOSB representation and SBA's certification where granted. ## Related - [Small business search](https://samgovapi.io/small-business-search) - [8(a) program](https://samgovapi.io/glossary/8a-program) - [HUBZone](https://samgovapi.io/glossary/hubzone) - [API docs](https://samgovapi.io/docs) - [Pricing](https://samgovapi.io/pricing) - [Answers](https://samgovapi.io/answers)Updated 2026-11-15. Sources checked 2026-11-15.Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

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