SBA 7(a) Q&A
Short answer
A 'small business' is defined by the SBA based on specific size standards, typically related to annual revenue or number of employees, varying by industry.
To be eligible, a business must meet the SBA's size standards for its primary industry, which are published in the SBA Table of Size Standards. These standards can be based on average annual receipts (revenue) or average number of employees over a specific period.
A manufacturing business might qualify as small if it has 500 or fewer employees, while a retail business might be defined by average annual receipts under $8 million. You must check the specific NAICS code.
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations
SBA Table of Size Standards
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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