DBE Certification & Reevaluation

The October 3, 2025 Interim Final Rule requires all DBE firms to submit a Personal Narrative and a Personal Net Worth Statement. These documents allow Caltrans to determine whether your firm meets the updated eligibility requirements for DBE certification. All DBE participants must document their social and economic disadvantage; the program no longer presumes disadvantage based on race, ethnicity, or gender.

If you were previously certified and have not submitted your application, please upload your Personal Narrative, Personal Net Worth Statement, and supporting documents to the Caltrans Certification System.

If you are a new DBE applicant, please fill out a new application, Personal Net Worth Statement, and Personal Narrative.

If you want to see if you are already certified, check the DBE Directory.

Firms that are not certified are not eligible to participate in the DBE program until Caltrans receives and approves their reevaluation materials under the new standards.

The Personal Narrative (PN) must cover the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate that the owner is socially and economically disadvantaged based on his or her own experiences and circumstances that occurred within American society, and without regard to race or sex;
2. Submit to the certifier a personal narrative establishing the existence of disadvantage by a preponderance of the evidence based on individualized proof regarding specific instances of economic hardship, systemic barriers, and denied opportunities that impeded the owner’s progress or success in education, employment, or business, including obtaining financing on terms available to similarly situated, non-disadvantaged persons;
3. State how and to what extent the impediments caused the owner economic harm, including a full description of type and magnitude, and establish the owner is economically disadvantaged in fact relative to similarly situated non-disadvantaged individuals; and
4. State how and to what extent the impediments caused the owner economic harm, including a full description of type and magnitude; and
5. Attach to the Personal Narrative a current Personal Net Worth Statement and any other financial information the owner considers relevant.

The social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond the individual's control.

1. Log into the Caltrans DBE System
2. Click the Apply for / Renew Certification button.
3. Click the Login link under Renew Your Certification.
4. In the decision tree, select You are an existing DBE and would like to submit for re-evaluation.
5. Click Submit a 2025 Re-evaluation Application.
6. Select the radio button to confirm the firm's name that is applying and then click Continue.
7. Check the box after reading the message and review the Document List.
8. Click Continue.
9. The application will open and you can complete questions in General Information.
10. Attach the documents in the Document List.
11. Sign and Submit.

Download Instructions

• Use the PNW Form in B2G System only.
• The PNW statement must be current.
• Read the instructions to make sure it is completed in its entirety.
• The supporting documentation is required for each entry.
• Complete statements are required i.e., complete checking and savings account statement to support the checking and savings account balance, and for all other entries.
• All pages of each document provided are required.
• Screenshots will not be accepted.
• Include all relevant accounts and statements.
• Make sure the date of the statements corresponds with the “as of date” on the PNW form and all balances match.
• The household property is the property in your home, not your home’s value. Please include the valuation method used. Triple-check to make sure your math is correct.
• Be sure to sign and date the form.
• Please follow the instructions provided. Failure to submit the information as required in its entirety may result in your firm not being eligible for the DBE Program.

View the Personal Net Worth Statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation website.

Should you have any questions regarding your Reevaluation Status, please email us at DBE.Reevaluation@dot.ca.gov.

These guidance documents are not intended to replace sound professional judgement. It is not legal advice. These documents provide general information as part of the DBE reevaluation process.

Resources Provided by Caltrans

• Reevaluation Letter Guide (initial requirement letter sent out to all DBEs) 
• Recertification Checklist (describes USDOT requirements)
  
• DBE Reevaluation Planning Tool (designed to help you structure your Personal Narrative)
• Individual Disadvantage Documentation Worksheet (designed to help you structure your Personal Narrative)
• DBE Reevaluation Q&A
• DBE Personal Narrative Q&A
• Personal Narrative Questions to Ask
• Steps for Submitting a Reevaluation Application (guides you through the B2Gnow Portal)

Resources Provided by USDOT

• Personal Net Worth (PNW) Statement
• IFR FAQs

Join our upcoming webinars to learn about recent 49 CFR Part 26 updates, including individualized determinations, the CUCP reevaluation process, required documentation, and important next steps for DBE and ACDBE firms.

Webex Public Participation Meetings

• Understanding New DBE Requirements Webinar
• Personal Narrative Guidance Webinar