Level 1

Ohio Person-
In-Charge Certification

Ohio requires most foodservice establishments to have one employee with a Person-In-Charge Certification (formerly Level One) on every shift.

Take Trust20’s interactive, online training to earn your Person-In-Charge Certification in Ohio. The course includes supplemental materials that persons in charge are required by the State of Ohio to review.

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Is the Person-In-Charge Certification right for you?

Who is it for?

Ohio requires any foodservice operation or retail food establishment to have a designated person in charge present during all hours of operation if they meet certain conditions.

These parameters include:

  • Businesses in risk level I, II, III, and IV and who received their license after March 1, 2010.
  • Establishments who received their license before March 1, 2010 that have been implicated in a foodborne disease outbreak.
  • Operations that have failed to maintain sanitary conditions set forth by the health department. 
Some establishments may be exempt from these requirements, but you should always verify your requirements with your local jurisdiction.

What does it feature?

Ohio Training course
Written exercise
Certification exam

Course Outline

This course is divided into six sections and a final assessment. The assessment consists of 27 questions, divided equally among the learning objectives. While a passing score is not required, the assessment meets Ohio’s requirements for a verbal or written exercise and prepares persons in charge to demonstrate their knowledge to the health inspector.

  • 1

    Food Sources

    Discusses the government agencies that help to protect our food supply, consumers, and the foodservice industry as a whole. This section also explains how food becomes unsafe and best practices for purchasing and receiving food.

  • 2

    Personal Hygiene and Handwashing

    Explains how the personal hygiene, handwashing practices, and health of the food handlers in an establishment can impact the safety of the foods your business serves.

  • 3

    Cross Contamination

    Provides key information about the different types of contamination, allergens, and best practices for properly storing food.

  • 4

    Cleaning/Sanitizing of Equipment and Utensils

    Provides an overview of how to properly clean and sanitize food contact and non-food contact surfaces.

  • 5

    Food Preparation

    Explains the best practices for safely preparing foods, including thawing, cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding foods.

  • 6

    Facility Management

    Discusses equipment selection and installation and proper garbage disposal.

Have any questions?

  • Q:

    What’s the difference between Level One and Level Two Certification in Ohio?

    Person-In-Charge, or Level One, Certification in Ohio requires candidates to complete a training course and a verbal or written exercise. Manager, or Level Two, Certification requires candidates to complete a training course and an approved certification exam.

    Both of Trust20’s Ohio-specific products are approved by the State of Ohio and contain supplemental materials that candidates are required to review. Learn more about the differences between Ohio's two food safety certifications on our blog.

  • Q:

    Who developed Trust20’s training, and how do I know it will cover all the relevant information that I need?

    Trust20 partnered with instructional designers, food safety subject matter experts, and food industry professionals to create a course that adheres to the ADDIE Instructional Design Methodology. 

    Our training has also been reviewed by the Ohio Department of Health, and we are on their list of approved providers.

  • Q:

    What is Trust20’s refund and cancellation policy?

    All sales on Trust20’s products are final, non-transferable, and non-refundable. Your training and assessment are available for a year once purchased. The course is available for 60 days once you begin. There are no extensions to these terms.

  • Q:

    What languages are available?

    It is currently offered in English.

  • Q:

    What does the Person-In-Charge Certification include?

    The training portion covers food sources, personal hygiene, handwashing, cross-contamination, cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils, food preparation, and facility management. There is an ungraded assessment at the end of the course.

  • Q:

    Do my credentials expire?

    No, your Person-In-Charge credentials do not expire. However, if the FDA or the State of Ohio revise their food codes, Trust20 recommends taking the course again to review the new information.

  • Q:

    Do I need to submit any materials to the Ohio Department of Health?

    No, candidates for the Person-In-Charge Certification do not need to submit any documentation to the Ohio Department of Health. However, your certificate must be on file with the establishment you work for and it must be available upon request.

Level 1:

Person-In-Charge Certification

State you work in

$30.00