{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-size-determination","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/sba-size-determination","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"sba-size-determination","term":"SBA size determination","group":"The loan itself","definition":"This is the process where the SBA decides if your business, including any affiliates, meets the size standards to qualify for an SBA loan. It's crucial for eligibility.","what_it_means":"For an SBA 7(a) loan, your business must qualify as \"small\" based on specific industry codes (NAICS) and either revenue or employee count. The SBA size determination considers all affiliates. Work with your lender to ensure your acquisition structure and combined entities meet these size standards to avoid eligibility issues.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-size-determination","official_sources":[{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"},{"slug":"terms-conditions-eligibility","title":"7(a) Loan Program — Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/terms-conditions-eligibility","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":5,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/terms-conditions-eligibility"}],"related":[{"slug":"small-business","term":"Small business","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/small-business"},{"slug":"naics-code","term":"NAICS code","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/naics-code"},{"slug":"affiliation","term":"Affiliation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/affiliation"},{"slug":"size-standard","term":"Size standard","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/size-standard"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What constitutes 'common management' triggering affiliation for SBA 7(a) size determination?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-constitutes-common-management-triggering-affiliation-for-sba-7-a-size-determination"},{"question":"When does identity of interest trigger affiliation for size determination under SBA rules?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-does-identity-of-interest-trigger-affiliation-for-size-determination-under-sba-rules"},{"question":"How does ownership of options or warrants affect affiliation determination for SBA size standards?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-ownership-of-options-or-warrants-affect-affiliation-determination-for-sba-size-st"},{"question":"When does a prior contractual relationship create affiliation for 7(a) size determination?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-does-a-prior-contractual-relationship-create-affiliation-for-7-a-size-determination"},{"question":"When does common management or shared facilities trigger affiliation for SBA 7(a) size determination?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-does-common-management-or-shared-facilities-trigger-affiliation-for-sba-7-a-size-dete"},{"question":"How does SBA define an 'associate' for affiliation purposes under 13 CFR 121, impacting size determination?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-sba-define-an-associate-for-affiliation-purposes-under-13-cfr-121-impacting-size-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — SBA size determination","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-size-determination","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}