CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

FIRS: Female Inclusive
Rating System

The first community-verified certification for women-friendly businesses. Local assessors. Real verification. Trusted results.

What makes FIRS different?

Anyone can claim to be "women-friendly." FIRS proves it through local, community-verified certification.

Unlike review platforms that rely on self-reported data, our higher certifications require actual on-site verification by trained local assessors who physically measure lighting, check safety features, and verify accessibility claims.

When women see the FIRS badge, they're not trusting what a business claims—they're trusting what a local community member verified.

Self-Reported (Others)
FIRS Verified
"We have good lighting"
Assessor measures 52 lux ✓
"We're family-friendly"
Changing tables confirmed ✓
"We're accessible"
36" aisles measured ✓
"We're safe"
Emergency exits checked ✓
"We're women-owned"
51%+ ownership verified ✓

The Five FIRS Pillars

Comprehensive assessment across what matters most to women

🛡️

Safety & Design

Is your space safe for women, especially those alone?

  • Well-lit parking & entrance
  • Clear sightlines, no blind spots
  • Emergency exits accessible
  • Staff escort available
  • Security cameras
💚

Health & Wellbeing

Does your space support women's health needs?

  • Private nursing space
  • Period products available
  • Women providers option
  • Trauma-informed service
  • Clean restrooms
👶

Family Accessibility

Can women with children easily use your space?

  • Stroller accessible
  • Baby changing tables
  • High chairs available
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Family-friendly policies
👩‍💼

Leadership

Is your business led by and supportive of women?

  • Women-owned (51%+)
  • Women in leadership
  • Anti-harassment policy
  • Inclusive culture
  • Equal pay practices
💪

Economic Empowerment

Do you support women's economic success?

  • Women-owned suppliers
  • Women's org membership
  • Mentorship programs
  • Community involvement
  • Work-life balance support

Certification Levels

Higher levels require more verification—building trust through proof

🤝
Ally
60-70%

Basic commitment to women's inclusion. Entry-level certification.

Self-Assessment OK
Advocate
70-85%

Active support for women. Demonstrated commitment.

On-Site Required
💫
Leader
85-95%

Excellence in women's inclusion. Setting the standard.

Full Verification
🌟
Visionary
95%+

Pioneering new standards. Comprehensive excellence.

Premium Only

Three Certification Pathways

Choose the path that fits your business. Upgrade anytime—previous payments always credited.

Quick Start

$199/year
Max Level: 🤝 Ally
  • 25-question self-assessment
  • 5-10 minutes to complete
  • Instant results
  • Basic HerMap listing
  • Digital badge
Get Started →

Premium

$1,499+/year
Max Level: 🌟 Visionary
  • Everything in Verified
  • 50-question deep assessment
  • Employee survey
  • Management interview
  • 90-day consulting support
Contact Us →

Add-On Features

FIRS scores what matters specifically to women. But we know businesses offer many other inclusive features.

Add-on features are displayed on your HerMap profile as badges but don't affect your FIRS score. This keeps FIRS focused and meaningful while letting you showcase everything you offer.

💡 265+ add-on features across 15 categories—from pet-friendly to sustainability to dietary accommodations.
🐾
Pet-Friendly
🍽️
Dietary Options
🔇
Sensory-Friendly
Accessibility
🏳️‍🌈
LGBTQ+ Inclusive
🌱
Sustainability
🙏
Faith-Friendly
🌍
Multilingual
💰
Discounts

How It Works

From application to certification in four simple steps

1

Apply

Complete the online application with basic business info and choose your certification path.

2

Assess

Complete the self-assessment questionnaire. For Verified+, upload supporting documents.

3

Verify

For Verified and Premium, a local assessor schedules an on-site visit to verify your claims.

4

Get Listed

Receive your FIRS badge, window decal, and featured listing on HerMap.

Ready to get FIRS certified?

Join the first 50 businesses and receive FREE Verified certification during our pilot.