SBA loan basics
Short answer
A business is considered "small" by the SBA if it meets specific size standards, which are typically based on its number of employees or average annual revenue, varying by industry.
The SBA publishes a 'Table of Size Standards' that defines maximum employee counts or revenue limits for various North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. To qualify for a 7(a) loan, a business must not exceed these limits for its primary industry. All affiliated businesses' revenues/employees are counted toward these limits.
For a retail clothing store (NAICS 4481), the size standard might be $8 million in average annual receipts. If a business's average revenue is $7 million, it qualifies as small. If it's $9 million, it does not.
SBA Table of Size Standards
13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Affiliation and Lending Criteria for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule
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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