Get Certified Now!

We suggest you scroll briefly through the application to get a feel for the level of effort required to become a certified Green Business.  The application is designed to provide each business with the flexibility to pursue a wide variety of measures.

In each section, there are required actions as well as a specified number of additional actions that must be completed in order to receive certification as a Green Business.  Identify those actions that you currently practice, complete additional actions necessary for becoming certified, and submit your application.

Once your application has been submitted, the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program staff will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time for an on-site verification visit.  The onsite visit includes a visual review of your facility and discussion with your staff member(s) involved in this effort.

You are encouraged to think about what you would want to show the Program staff to demonstrate particular checklist item accomplishments.  Documentation varies by action, but could include things like viewing company policies, office products and signage, etc.

While verification is central to ensuring the integrity of the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program, the onsite visit is designed to be collegial and helpful. The visit should not take long, although this is dependent upon the size and complexity of your organization.

Note: Independent consultants offer coaching and assistance to businesses seeking to improve their environmental performance. These consultants can help you identify and implement environmentally responsible measures (although the Green Business Certification Program does not specifically endorse any of these consultants).  Official certification is achieved only through the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection’s third-party consultants who have been contracted by the Green Business Certification Program.

Here's How the Certification Process Works:

1. Explore this website, which has lots of information about eligibility to participate, application forms, opportunities for training, and additional resources.  A great place to start is the Frequently Asked Questions.

2. Download the application form.  Be sure to choose the right form for your business—either “owner occupier” or “tenant”. 

3. Fill out the application form—it’s a PDF that will be saved on your computer, so you can start and stop as needed.  Remember that you can always refer to the resource guide for more information—and if you need some extra assistance consider taking one of the monthly classes offered by Montgomery College that walks you through the application and certification process.

4. Submit your application form by clicking on the “submit” button in the PDF.  That will automatically send your application form to the Green Business Certification staff for review.  You’ll receive an automated email confirmation to let you know the submission was successful.

5. A staff member of the Green Business Certification program will contact you within 3 business days to set up a time to visit your business for onsite verification of the certification process.  This meeting will be scheduled at a time that is mutually convenient for everyone, usually within 2-3 weeks of your application submission.

6. On the day of your onsite verification meeting, make sure that you have personnel on hand to answer questions related to each section of the Green Business Certification application form.  Be ready to give the verifier a tour of your facility as well.

7. In most cases, the verifier will be able to tell you right away if you met the Green Business Certification requirements, or if there are a few steps that still need to be completed.  In a few cases, the verifier may need a day or two to conduct additional research or review documentation that you supply. 

8. You will receive official notification of your status from the Green Business Certification Program within 10 business days.*  Organizations that achieve certification will receive a certificate and window decal, and have use of the program logo, to help you promote your Green Business Certification to employees and customers!

* If you do not meet the verification requirements, don't worry!  We will explain exactly what you need to do to finish the certification process—including providing supporting documentation, implementing a new program, or simply gathering more data.  You will have an opportunity to schedule a second meeting with a verifier at a date in the future.  If at that time you meet the requirements, your organization will be certified.