One Credential. Two Pathways.

Entrepreneurship & Small Business (ESB) Certification

Build Business Knowledge. Practice Real Decisions. Prepare to Demonstrate What You Know.

Choose Your ESB Pathway

Business Readiness with a Credential to Work toward.

The Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification, issued by Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, validates foundational knowledge in entrepreneurship and small business management. AES provides the learning pathway and preparation; the credential is awarded after a participant passes the certification exam.

Our ESB Readiness Lab brings concepts into practice through coursework, discussion, applied activities, and exam preparation. Youth and Adult pathways use the same credential framework with different learning experiences.

What Is the ESB Certification

Industry-Recognized Credential

The Entrepreneurship & Small Business (ESB) certification validates essential entrepreneurial and business knowledge aligned with workforce and employer expectations.

Foundational Business Skills

Participants develop core competencies in business concepts, finance, marketing, operations, and professional decision-making.

Skills for Entrepreneurs

Build practical skills related to business planning, financial decision-making, legal considerations, and launching or managing a business.

Career & Economic Mobility

Supports self-employment, business ownership, or career advancement across multiple industries and workforce pathways.

Why Earn the ESB Certification

Stand out in the Job Market

Show that you have demonstrated foundational entrepreneurship and small business knowledge through an independent certification exam.

Validated Entrepreneurial Skills

Demonstrates readiness for entrepreneurship and small business through a nationally recognized certification exam.

Pathways to Economic Mobility

Positions participants for self-employment, business growth, career advancement, or continued credential pathways.

Transferable across Industries

Applicable to business, healthcare, technology, service, and trade sectors.

Program Credibility & Trust

AES prepares participants; Certiport administers the credential. Participation alone does not guarantee certification, employment, funding, or business income.

Connect

Express interest and receive the current cohort details before applying.

Learn

Build foundational business and entrepreneurial skills.

Prepare

Practice concepts and prepare for the ESB certification exam.

Test

Sit for the ESB exam when ready. Earn the credential by passing.

Advance

Move into business launch, career growth, or next credentials.

The ESB Certification is ideal for individuals seeking practical business and entrepreneurial skills that support self-employment, career mobility, and business growth.

Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Ideal for those with an idea but limited formal business training.

Individuals who want to start a business, launch a side venture, or explore entrepreneurship as a viable career pathway.

Emerging Professionals

Ideal for individuals building workplace & business skills for career advancement

Perfect for individuals building foundational workplace and business skills to support career mobility, credential attainment, and long-term economic opportunity across industries.

Career Changers

Ideal for individuals transitioning into entrepreneurship or new career paths

Designed for individuals transitioning from traditional employment into entrepreneurship, self-employment, or small business ownership as a new career pathway.

Small Business Employees

Ideal for employees seeking stronger knowledge to support growth & operations

For employees seeking to strengthen business knowledge, improve operational skills, and support growth or advancement within a small business environment.

ESB learning combines online coursework with facilitated learning, practical activities, and exam readiness support. The confirmed schedule, format, eligibility, costs, and exam arrangements are shared before enrollment.

Partner-hosted delivery is planned with the school or organization; availability depends on the agreed cohort and resources.

Virtual Instruction

Online coursework and facilitated sessions support participants learning remotely. AES confirms session times and required technology before enrollment.

In-Person Cohorts

In-person delivery may be developed with a school or community partner. Contact AES to discuss a specific location and cohort; an open in-person class is not implied.

Hybrid Learning Models

A partner cohort may combine online learning with scheduled group activities. The delivery plan is agreed before participants enroll.

Partner-Hosted Cohorts

Schools, workforce organizations, nonprofits, and employers can discuss bringing ESB learning into an existing education or workforce pathway.

What You Will Practice

Entrepreneurial thinking, opportunities, and business planning
Customers, market research, marketing, and sales
Operations, production, distribution, and responsible business decisions
Pricing, costs, cash flow, and business financials
Practice questions, readiness review, and planning your next step

Learn about the ESB credential from Certiport’s official badge listing