Introduction – Ohio Person in Charge Certification (PIC): The Fastest Way to Meet ODH Level 1 Requirements
It is the moment every restaurant owner dreads: The Health Inspector walks through the door during a busy shift, looks around, and asks, “Who is the Person in Charge right now?”
If the answer is a blank stare, you are already in violation of the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code.
In Ohio, food safety training isn’t just a “good idea”—it is the law. Specifically, Ohio Administrative Code 3701-21-25 requires that at least one person per shift must have a distinct level of food safety knowledge.
The good news? You do not always need the expensive, 8-hour “Food Manager” exam for every single shift leader. For many staff members, the Ohio Person in Charge (Level 1) Certification is exactly what you need to stay compliant—and it is faster, easier, and much more affordable.
What is Ohio Level 1 (PIC) Certification?
The “Person in Charge” (PIC) training, often called Level 1 Certification in Food Protection, is a state-mandated course designed to ensure that the person leading the shift understands basic food safety principles.
Unlike the more intense “Manager Certification” (Level 2), the PIC course focuses strictly on the daily operations:
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Proper handwashing and hygiene.
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Time and temperature control.
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Preventing cross-contamination.
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Cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
Level 1 vs. Level 2: Which One Do I Need?
This is the #1 question we get at ACE Food Handler. Confusing these two can cost you money.
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Level 2 (Manager Certification): This is the “big” one. Ohio law requires at least one person per facility to hold this advanced certification (like the NRFSP or ServSafe Manager exam).
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Level 1 (Person in Charge): This is for the shift leaders who run the kitchen when the General Manager isn’t there. The law states a knowledgeable person must be present during all hours of operation.
The Strategy: Have your GM take Level 2. Have your Assistant Managers, Shift Leads, and Keyholders take the ACE Ohio Person in Charge (Level 1) course. It saves you hours of study time and keeps the health inspector happy.
Why Choose ACE for Ohio PIC Training?
We know the restaurant business moves fast. You don’t have time to send your night shift manager to a classroom across town.
Our Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Approved course is built for speed and compliance:
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100% Online: Take it on a phone, tablet, or laptop.
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No Proctor Required: Unlike Level 2, this course does not require a proctored exam. You study, you pass, you print.
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Instant Certificate: As soon as you finish, you get a PDF certificate to hang on the wall immediately.
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Nationally Recognized: Our training is respected and accepted by local health departments across Ohio.
Don’t Wait for the Violation
The worst time to buy food safety training is after you get cited. The fines for non-compliance far outweigh the small cost of this course.
Protect your customers, protect your brand, and empower your staff to lead with confidence.
The Smarter Alternative to ServSafe®: ANAB-Accredited & Industry Approved Upgrade your food safety compliance with Ace Restaurant Manager Training. Powered by FMC, our program provides the ANAB-CFP accredited certification legally required by health departments nationwide—without the ServSafe premium. We have replaced the industry’s outdated testing methods with a superior, user-friendly platform that features 24/7 access, remote online proctoring, and instant certificate downloads. Join the shift to a better, more affordable training solution that puts your business first.
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Ohio Person in Charge Certification in Food Protection
Ohio Person in Charge
Course fees for Ohio Person in Charge Certification in Food Protection
$10 Online Ohio Person in Charge Food Handler
At the end of the course you will be awarded a Ohio Person in Charge Certification in Food Protection. Description: Our online Ohio Food Handlers Card training will teach you all of the skills and knowledge needed to work safely in a Ohio food outlet. Our Food Handler Card training course is short and simple to understand. The course is available 24/7 and usually takes about a hour to complete. Available in English or Spanish, our course will take you step-by-step through everything you need to know, including basic definitions, hygienic working, cross contamination and food related illnesses. The course is easy to follow, and it allows you to work at your own pace. It includes a few videos with practical demonstrations, showing exactly what you should, and should not do when working with food. At the end of the course you will be required to pass a comprehensive test and must pass with a 75% or better. Hit the ‘Get Certified’ button now to register for our Ohio Food Handler training course. We’re proud to offer high quality Ohio Food Handlers Card at one of the lowest prices in the State of Ohio! ACE Food Handler also provided Ohio Person in Charge Corporate Accounts Updated 04/12/2022More Details
Summary This short, fully accredited online course from Ace Food Handler covers everything you need to know about basic food handling and hygiene in the State of Ohio Person in Charge Certification in Food Protection.
Course content
Ohio Department of Health
Food Safety Program
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: (614) 644-7416