Are SBA size standards changing?
Short answer
Not yet. SBA proposed new size standards for 338 industry groups and industries on August 20, 2026; the change is proposed only (91 FR 53741). Until SBA issues a final rule, the current table in 13 CFR § 121.201 governs.
Not yet. SBA proposed new size standards for 338 industry groups and industries on August 20, 2026; the change is proposed only. The current table in 13 CFR § 121.201 still controls SBA loan eligibility.
What SBA proposed
The notice at 91 FR 53741 would replace 978 size standards at the 6-digit NAICSThe federal code system that sorts businesses by industry. level. In their place would be 276 at the 4-digit level and 62 at the 5-digit level. It would also:
- Put receipt-based and employee-based standards under one rule.
- Convert many receipt-based industries to employee-based standards.
- Remove size standard exceptions.
- Add a productivity adjustment to receipt-based standards.
SBA says it does not propose to reduce any size standard that keeps the same measure. It estimates a net increase of about 114,541 firms classified as small.
Status
SBA took comments through September 21, 2026. The eCFR text we read on November 8, 2026 still shows the existing table. We found no final rule in that text, so its effective date is not known.
What to do now
Measure your business against the current table. If you are close to a limit, ask your lender how a final rule could change the analysis.
Both the current table and the proposal measure industries by NAICS code, so know yours (13 CFR § 121.107).
Ask lending partners about your loan
Tell us the amount you need and what it is for. We refer you to lenders that may fund businesses like yours, and it costs you nothing.
Janover Capital LLC is not a lender and is not the SBA. The lender makes the credit decision. A lender or marketplace may pay us a referral fee if we connect you, at no cost to you. Advertiser disclosure.