(1) Any business which meets the definition of a minority business enterprise, a women's business enterprise, a minority woman's business enterprise, or a combination minority and women's business enterprise, or socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprise, or corporate-sponsored dealership as set forth in this title, is eligible to be certified by the state of Washington.

(2) It is not the intent of the program to encourage the participation of businesses owned and controlled by minorities, and/or women, and/or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, who have not encountered practices which prohibited or limited their access to contract opportunities, markets, financing, and other resources, based on their race, ethnic origin, or sex, or disability.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions in subsection (1) of this section, to be eligible for certification, any business applying for certification shall have obtained all licenses necessary to lawfully conduct business in the state of Washington.