DBE Certification Blog
News, regulatory updates, and practical tips for California businesses navigating DBE, ACDBE, and SBE certification.
What is live right now: Caltrans proposes cutting the FHWA goal from 21.35% to 11.80%, and public comment closes August 31, 2026 — that is the only item here with a deadline attached. Behind it, the programme is running again after the injunction was dissolved, and the April reevaluation deadline has passed without decertifying anyone who missed it. If you are just working out which certification you need, start with the phrase that appears on state solicitations or the table of every size limit; the $2,047,000 personal net worth cap and the five changes the October 2025 rule made are the two that catch most applicants out. Two more sit slightly off that path: what actually separates a state DVBE from a federal SDVOSB, and the documents applicants leave out often enough to stall a file before the 90-day clock even starts.
August 16, 2026
Caltrans Proposes Halving the DBE Goal for 2027–28 — Comment Closes August 31
Caltrans says the DBE program is restarting and proposes cutting the FHWA goal from 21.35% to 11.80%, citing a significantly smaller pool of re-certified firms. Public comment runs August 17–31, 2026.
June 15, 2026
Is the California DBE Program Still Active in 2026?
The Mid-America Milling injunction was dissolved as moot in March 2026 after the October 2025 rule ended group presumptions. The program continues — certification is now individualized via Personal Narrative.
April 13, 2026
California Small Business Certification Size Limits 2026: Complete Table
All California certification size limits in one table — SB, MB, DVBE, DBE, ACDBE gross receipts caps, employee limits, and PNW thresholds.
April 13, 2026
What Does 'Certified SB Including MB, SB-PW, or DVBE Only' Mean?
This phrase appears on thousands of California state contracts. Here's what each abbreviation means and which certification you need to bid.
April 13, 2026
5 Major Changes to the DBE Program After the October 2025 Rule
New PNW limit ($2.04M), Personal Narrative requirement, no group presumptions, and more. What the October 2025 IFR changed.
April 8, 2026
DVBE vs SDVOSB: Which Veteran Business Certification Do You Need?
California DVBE vs federal SDVOSB — different programs, different contracts. When to get one, the other, or both.
April 7, 2026
DBE Reevaluation Deadline: What Happens After April 16, 2026?
The April 16 reevaluation deadline has passed. If you haven't submitted your Personal Narrative and PNW Statement, here's what happens now and how to file late.
April 3, 2026
New DBE Personal Net Worth Limit: $2,047,000 Explained
The October 2025 IFR raised the PNW limit by $727,000 and excluded retirement assets. Here's what changed and who now qualifies.
March 31, 2026
5 Documents DBE Applicants Forget (and How It Delays Certification)
Missing documents are the #1 cause of DBE application delays. These five are the ones applicants most often overlook.