There are numerous agencies to register with, including FMSDC, Orange County,
  Hillsborough County, the City of Jacksonville, the City of Tampa, the City of Orlando, 
  The State of Florida just to name a few. 

  For private sector corporations, only NMSDC certification is required. You
  should certify only with those certifying bodies that you want to do business with
  and that offer an economic benefit to being certified.

  Local and State Government
  Those government agencies with M/WBE programs usually have a certification program.
  In Florida, some agencies accept other government agency certifications and NMSDC
  certification. Most  accept only their own. For instance, the City of Orlando will accept
  no other certification.  You must call the government agency to find out those certifications
  they will accept.

  DOT
  The US Department of Transportation has their own certification process. It is necessary
  to include a financial statement as part of the certification process, as there is a net worth limitation.
  DOT certifies traditional minority owned businesses and other  businesses that can demonstrate that
  they have been  disadvantaged. 

  Federal Government and Government Prime Contractors 
  Federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense, Department of the Treasury, etc.
  and Federal Prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon only accept SDB
  (Small Disadvantaged Business) certification, issued by the Small Business Administration
  (SBA).  It is necessary to include a personal financial statement as part of the certification
  process,  as there is a net worth limitation. Also the business must be a small business,
  as defined by the SBA. SBA certifies traditional minority owned businesses and other
  businesses that can demonstrate that they have been disadvantaged. SDB certified firm owners
  must be United States citizens.

  8(a) Certification
 A special category of firms, eligible for federal set-asides. 8(a) firms can include traditional
 minority owned businesses and other businesses that can demonstrate that they have been
 disadvantaged.  8(a) certified firm owners must be United States citizens.

Hub Zone
 A special category of firms, eligible for federal set-asides. Hub Zone firms have to have their
 headquarters located in Census Tracts with residents earning below the national average.
 Hub Zone firms can include traditional minority owned businesses and other businesses that
 can demonstrate that they have been disadvantaged.