Chapter 109:2-9 | Corrections Training for Jail Personnel

Rule 109:2-9-01 | Definitions.

• Effective: July 1, 2014
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

When used in this chapter:

(A) The term "commission" means the Ohio peace officer training commission;

(B) The term "executive director" means the executive director of the Ohio peace officer training commission or designee;

(C) The term "commander" means the director or other head of a corrections training school which has been approved by the executive director;

(D) The term "school" means the training prescribed in rule 5120:1-8-18 of the Administrative Code and other training which has been prescribed and approved by the executive director for persons described in this chapter;

(E) The term "full service jail" means a local facility as defined by the Ohio department of rehabilitation and correction, bureau of adult detention;

(F) The term "correctional officers/jail staff" means those persons whose positions consist primarily of duties that require prisoner supervision, direct interaction with prisoners and responsibility for the safety and security of prisoners and of the facility.

(G) The term "support staff" has the same meaning as in rule 5120:1-7-02 of the Administrative Code.

Last updated July 13, 2026 at 10:41 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: RC 109.73
Amplifies: RC 109.73, RC 109.75
Five Year Review Date: 6/9/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993

Rule 109:2-9-02 | Corrections training for full service jail personnel.

• Effective: June 1, 2001
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Those persons set out in paragraph (F) of rule 109:2-9-01 of the Administrative Code shall complete the training for their job functions as prescribed in rule 5120:1-8-18 of the Administrative Code and any other training required by the executive director.

(B) Those persons set out in paragraph (G) of rule 109:2-9-01 of the Administrative Code shall complete the training for their job functions as prescribed in rule 5120:1-8-18 of the Administrative Code.

(C) It shall be clearly understood that the corrections training described in this chapter is designed as a minimum program. The commander is encouraged to exceed the minimum requirements wherever possible and appropriate.

(D) Instruction in such matters as departmental rules and regulations and personnel policies and procedures shall not be considered part of the commission-approved corrections basic training school.

(E) The executive director shall specify topics, student performance objectives, and minimum hours of training to meet the training required for correctional officers/jail staff in rule 5120:1-8-18 of the Administrative Code. The executive director may require topics, student performance objectives and minimum hours of training in addition to that training required for correctional officers/jail staff in rule 5120:1-8-18 of the Administrative Code. The executive director may provide lesson plans to meet the above described training.

(F) The minimum required curriculum shall include training in the following units:

(1) Administration

(2) Legal

(3) Jail security

(4) Human relations

(5) Special inmate needs

(6) Technical skills

(G) It is understood that the units, topics, hours, and student performance objectives recommended by the Ohio peace officer training commission and approved by the attorney general are established as a mandatory minimum for obtaining a certificate of completion. Schools, school commanders, and instructors are encouraged to exceed the minimums as they deem appropriate.

Reasonable latitude shall be granted to instructors to deliver the material in a manner deemed most effective and to permit the use of instructional methods and material deemed to be the most appropriate and useful, provided the approved material is covered in its entirety.

Last updated July 13, 2026 at 10:41 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993

Rule 109:2-9-03 | Approval of schools.

• Effective: June 1, 2001
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Schools that meet all of the requirements set forth in this rule and rules 109:2-9-04, 109:2-9-05, and 109:2-9-07 of the Administrative Code shall be approved by the executive director. The approval shall be given in writing.

(B) Revocation of school approval.

The executive director may revoke the approval of any school for failure to maintain applicable minimum standards as set forth in this rule and rules 109:2-9-04, 109:2-9-05, 109:2-9-07, 109:2-9-08, 109:2-9-09, and 109:2-9-10 of the Administrative Code. The executive director shall notify the commander of the school in writing of this revocation and shall advise the commander that the commander may request a hearing before the commission as provided in sections 119.06 and 119.07 of the Revised Code. The commission shall conduct the hearing as required by sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code.

(C) Twenty-one calendar days prior to the start of training, the commander shall forward to the executive director, on forms required by the executive director, a school application, training calendar, and any requests for waiver of training or credit for prior equivalent training. All information requested on the school application and training calendar shall be provided.

(D) By the third day upon which commission-required topics are presented, the commander shall provide to the executive director, on forms required by the executive director, enrollment information for each enrollee.

(E) Enrollees, instructors, and duration of training.

Schools will not be approved that have less than five students, less than six instructors scheduled to teach, or that extend more than twelve weeks unless authorized by the executive director.

Last updated July 13, 2026 at 10:41 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993

Rule 109:2-9-04 | Approval of commanders.

• Effective: July 1, 2017
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Each school commander is required to have the approval of the executive director to conduct a school for which commission certification is sought. Such approval shall be based upon the submission of a typewritten statement of qualifications by the person seeking approval on a form prescribed by the executive director.

(A) Minimum qualifications for approval as a commander shall be as follows:

(1) High school graduate or possession of a "General Education Development" certificate;

(2) Written approval from a sheriff or designee or a criminal justice agency administrator who is the executive head of a full-service jail;

(3) Three professional references from criminal justice agency administrators;

(4) No convictions for a felony or crime of moral turpitude, offense of violence, sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offense, or any other peace officer disqualifying offense;

(5) Completion of an instructor training program approved by the executive director which shall include the following: instruction in the theories of learning and adult education, teaching techniques, lesson plan development and usage, behavioral objectives, student evaluation and measurement, role playing, the use of audio-visual aids, and an exercise in practice teaching. Instructor training programs taught by the Ohio peace officer training academy, the Ohio department of education, the Ohio state highway patrol, a college or educational institution, or other programs which in the opinion of the executive director are equivalent will be acceptable; and

(6) Completion of an Ohio peace office training commission corrections school commander's conference.

(7) For applicants applying to be commanders on or after the effective date of this rule, completion of a commander training program approved by the executive director.

(B) Upon receipt and verification of an application form, the executive director may issue a certificate to the commander. Unless the decision is of a ministerial nature, should the executive director refuse to issue a certificate, the executive director shall notify the applicant in writing and shall advise the applicant that he or she may request a hearing before the commission as provided in sections 119.06 and 119.07 of the Revised Code. The commission shall conduct the hearing as required by sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code.

(C) Certification shall be renewed every five years. At least sixty days and no more than ninety days prior to expiration of the certificate, the individual shall submit, on a form prescribed by the executive director, an application for renewal that indicates the applicant has complied with the following:

(1) The applicant has conducted at least two corrections training schools within the renewal period;

(2) The applicant has attended at least one commander conference within the renewal period if commander conferences are offered; and

(3) The applicant has completed at least twenty-four hours of training relevant to conducting and overseeing a corrections training school.

(D) The executive director shall deny, refuse to renew, or revoke the certification of any commander for the following reasons:

(1) Failure to meet the minimum qualifications for certification or renewal listed in paragraphs (A) and (C) of this rule;

(2) Unacceptable performance evaluations;

(3) Conviction for a felony or crime of moral turpitude, offense of violence, sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offense, or any other peace officer disqualifying offense;

(4) A written request showing cause from the incumbent sheriff of the county in which the commander was originally certified or from a criminal justice agency administrator who is the executive head of a full-service jail facility;

(5) Failure to attend two consecutive commander's conferences;

(6) Falsifying information to obtain a commander's certificate;

(7) Submission of falsified records, application, or other documentation;

(8) Allowing a person not approved as a school commander to function as a school commander; or

(9) Any other good cause shown.

(E) The executive director may suspend the certification of any commander that is charged with any felony, crime of moral turpitude, offense of violence, sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offense, or any other peace officer disqualifying offence.

(F) Should the executive director suspend or revoke a certificate, the executive director shall notify the commander in writing of the decision and shall advise the commander that the commander may request a hearing before the commission as provided in sections 119.06 and 119.07 of the Revised Code. The commission shall conduct the hearing as required by sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code.

Last updated June 3, 2025 at 11:09 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: R.C. 109.74
Amplifies: 109.73, 109.75
Five Year Review Date: 5/8/2030

Rule 109:2-9-05 | Approval of instructors.

• Effective: August 25, 2016
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Each instructor is required to have the approval of the executive director. All persons requesting approval as an instructor shall submit a statement of qualifications for each subject or unit of subjects on a form required by the executive director.

(A) Minimum qualifications for approval as a unit instructor shall be as follows:

(1) High school graduate or possession of a "General Education Development" certificate;

(2) Three years of institutional corrections experience;

(3) Completion of an instructor training program approved by the executive director which shall include instruction in the theories of learning and adult education, teaching techniques, lesson plan development and usage, behavioral objectives, student evaluation and measurement, role playing, the use of audio-visual aids, and an exercise in practice teaching. Instructor training programs taught by the Ohio peace officer training academy, the Ohio department of education, the Ohio state highway patrol, a college or educational institution, or other programs which in the opinion of the executive director are equivalent will be acceptable;

(4) Completion of training that allows a person to gain specific knowledge and skills in a unit for which certification is requested;

(5) Recommendation of a school commander who has been the commander of record of an approved school within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of the application;

(B) Minimum qualifications for approval as a special subject instructor shall be as follows:

(1) A high school graduate or possession of a "General Development" certificate;

(2) Three years of combined experience and training in the subject area to be taught; or

(3) Recognition for occupational competency; and

(4) Recommendation of a school commander who has been the commander of record of an approved school within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of the application;

(C) Persons approved as special subject instructors shall be limited to no more than five topics in the commission-approved corrections curriculum.

(D) Renewal of unit and special subject instructor certification.

(1) Persons certified as unit instructors shall renew their certificate every three years. At least sixty days and no more than ninety days prior to expiration of the certificate, the instructor shall file with the executive director an application for renewal on a form required by the executive director. The instructor shall also file:

(a) Written evidence from the educational or training facility where the instructor received the training documenting that the instructor has successfully completed within the past three years a minimum of twelve clock hours of training in topics related to the commission-approved corrections curriculum or to improve instructional abilities, and

(b) Written evidence from the school commander that the instructor has taught in two approved corrections training schools for a minimum total of twelve teaching hours within the past three years.

(2) Persons certified as special subject instructors shall renew their certificates every three years. At least sixty days and no more than ninety days prior to expiration of the certificate, the instructor shall file with the executive director an application for renewal on a form required by the executive director. The instructor shall also file:

(a) Written evidence from the educational or training facility where the instructor received the training documenting that the instructor has successfully completed within the past three years a minimum of eight clock hours of training in topics related to the commission-approved corrections curriculum, and

(b) Written evidence from the school commander or administrator that the instructor has taught in two approved corrections training schools for a minimum total of eight teaching hours within the past three years.

(E) Denial of certification, denial of or renewal of certification, or revocation of certification.

(1) Should the executive director refuse to issue or renew a certificate, or should the executive director suspend or revoke a certificate, that executive director shall notify the person in writing and, unless the decision is of a ministerial nature, shall advise the applicant that he or she may request a hearing before the commission as provided in sections 119.06 and 119.07 of the Revised Code.

(2) The commission shall conduct the hearing as required by sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code.

(3) The executive director shall deny or revoke the certificate of any instructor for the following reasons:

(a) Failure to meet the minimum qualifications for instructor certification listed in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule;

(b) Failure to meet renewal criteria;

(c) Failure to meet renewal deadline;

(d) Submission of falsified records, application, or other documentation;

(e) Unacceptable performance evaluations;

(f) Conviction of a felony, crime of moral turpitude, offense of violence, sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offense, or any other peace officer disqualifying offense; or

(g) Any other good cause shown.

(4) The executive director may suspend the certification of any instructor that is charged with any felony, crime of moral turpitude, offense of violence, sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offense, or any other peace officer disqualifying offense.

Last updated July 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: R.C. 109.74
Amplifies: R.C. 109.73, R.C. 109.75
Five Year Review Date: 6/9/2030
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993, 6/1/2001

Rule 109:2-9-06 | Certificate of completion.

• Effective: June 1, 2001
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Upon successful completion of an approved full-service corrections officer training school, a person assigned to the position described in rule 109:2-9-01(F) of the Administrative Code shall be awarded a certificate of completion by the executive director.

Last updated July 13, 2026 at 10:41 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993

Rule 109:2-9-07 | School facilities.

• Effective: June 1, 2001
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Each school shall have available:

(A) A classroom with adequate heating, lighting, and ventilation, and available restroom facilities;

(B) A marking board or equivalent;

(C) Tables suitable for writing and chairs or seats with an arm for writing;

(D) Audio-visual equipment;

(E) A lectern, stand, or table for the instructor's use;

(F) A gymnasium or large indoor area for teaching defensive tactics and other physical skill topics supplied with appropriate training and safety equipment; and

(G) Any other equipment or facilities as required by the executive director.

Last updated July 13, 2026 at 10:41 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993

Rule 109:2-9-08 | Attendance.

• Effective: January 1, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Attendance shall be required of each individual at all sessions of the school.

(B) The commander shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate record of attendance for each person attending training. The commander shall forward such records to the executive director.

(C) No person convicted of a felony shall be permitted to attend any portion of a training school approved by the executive director unless a request is made to the executive director from the chief executive officer of the appointing agency. Should the executive director refuse to grant the request, the executive director shall notify the person in writing of his denial and shall advise the person that he or she may request a hearing before the commission as provided in sections 119.06 and 119.07 of the Revised Code. The commission shall conduct the hearing as required by sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 13, 2026 at 10:42 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: RC 109.74
Amplifies: RC 109.73, RC109.75
Five Year Review Date: 6/9/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993, 6/1/2001

Rule 109:2-9-09 | Notebook.

• Effective: June 1, 2001
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Each individual in the school shall maintain a notebook and shall submit such notebook to the commander for inspection. The notebook shall be evaluated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory by the commander. The notebook shall contain appropriate entries of pertinent material covered during the classroom sessions of the school. Among the factors to be evaluated in the notebook are: sufficiency of curriculum-related content, organization, appropriateness of material, regularity of entries, neatness, accuracy, and legibility. Notebooks and the grades assigned to them by the commander are subject to review by the executive director at any time.

(B) No person shall participate in the state examination who has a notebook evaluated as unsatisfactory.

Last updated July 13, 2026 at 10:42 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993

Rule 109:2-9-10 | Examination.

• Effective: June 1, 2001
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The Ohio peace officer training commission will prepare, conduct, and score a state examination for each person completing the school. Each student for whom a certificate of completion is recommended must pass the state examination with a minimum score as determined by the commission.

(B) No person shall participate in the state examination who has been evaluated as unsatisfactory for any topic included in the technical skills unit of instruction or in any other topic designated by the executive director.

(C) The results of the state examination shall be made known to the commander within five business days of the date administered. Persons failing to achieve the designated minimum score shall be eligible for one retest. This test shall normally be given within two weeks of the date the commander is notified of the results of the first examination. The results of the retest shall be made known to the commander within five business days of the date administered. Students who fail the retest shall not be permitted to take the state examination again until they successfully complete another school.

Last updated May 11, 2026 at 10:18 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: –
Amplifies: –
Five Year Review Date:
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/1993

Rule 109:2-9-11 | Credit for prior equivalent training, and training requirements upon re-appointment.

• Effective: September 14, 2026
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Correctional officer certification based upon out-of-state certification or prior training.

(1) An individual who is required to complete the corrections school as prescribed in rule 5120:1-8-18 of the Administrative Code may apply for a correctional officer certificate issued pursuant to division (E) of section 109.73 of the Revised Code by submitting documentation, in the manner prescribed by the executive director, sufficient to establish either of the following:

(a) The individual holds an out-of-state occupational license that is substantially similar to that of a correctional officer certificate; or

(b) The individual has been actively employed as a correctional officer for at least three of the last five years immediately preceding the date of their application in the uniformed services, a federal agency, or jurisdiction where an out-of-state license or certificate is not required to be employed as a correctional officer.

(2) If an individual applies for the issuance of a correctional officer certificate pursuant to division (E) of section 109.73 of the Revised Code and holds an out-of-state occupational license that is substantially similar to that of a correctional officer certificate, the executive director shall issue a certificate if the individual provides satisfactory documentation of the following:

(a) The individual possesses an out-of-state occupational license issued by another state and the license is substantially similar to that of an Ohio correctional officer certificate;

(b) If the individual holds an out-of-state occupational license in one or more jurisdictions, the individual is in good standing with each entity that regulates the individual's out-of-state license and the individual has not surrendered or had revoked any license or government certification related to the applicant's work in that same profession or occupation;

(c) The individual has held the out-of-state occupational license for at least one year immediately preceding the date the application is submitted;

(d) The individual has been actively employed as a correctional officer, or substantially similar occupational activity, for at least one of the five years immediately preceding the date the application is submitted;

(e) The individual was required to satisfy minimum educational and training requirements to obtain the out-of-state license;

(f) The individual is not subject to a state or federal weapons disability;

(g) The individual has passed the written certification examination as provided in rule 109:2-9-10 of the Administrative Code.

(3) If an individual applies for issuance of a correctional officer certificate pursuant to division (E) of section 109.73 of the Revised Code based upon their satisfactory work experience in the same profession as a correctional officer in the uniformed services, a federal agency, or jurisdiction were an out-of-state license or certificate is not required to be employed as a correctional officer, the executive director shall issue a certificate if the individual provides satisfactory documentation of the following:

(a) The individual has provided sufficient documentation, in the manner prescribed by the executive director, that they have been actively employed as a correctional officer for at least three of the last five years immediately preceding the date of their application in the uniformed services, a federal agency, or jurisdiction where an out-of-state license or certificate is not required to be employed as a correctional officer;

(b) The individual has not previously surrendered or had revoked an out-of-state occupational license or government certification related to the occupational activities associated with the duties of a correctional officer;

(c) The individual was required to satisfy minimum educational and training requirements to obtain the out-of-state license;

(d) The individual was required to demonstrate proficiency in and pass a written examination on the training and educational requirements to obtain the out-of-state license;

(e) The individual is not subject to state or federal weapons disability;

(f) The individual passes the written certification examination as provided in rule 109:2-9-10 of the Administrative Code.

(4) As used in this paragraph:

(a) "Actively employed as a correctional officer" means being employed and working, in a fulltime paid status, in a position where an individual's powers and responsibilities include at least all of the following:

(i) Supervision, care, custody, control, and safety of incarcerated individuals;

(ii) Responsible for maintaining facility security;

(iii) Enforces facility rules.

(b) "Substantially similar occupational activity" means employment in a position where the individual is authorized to perform all the activities set forth in paragraph (A)(4)(a) of this rule.

(c) "Out-of state occupational license," "government certification," "license," "good standing," and "uniformed services" have the same meaning as in section 4796.01 of the Revised Code.

(d) An out-of-state occupational license is substantially similar to a correctional officer certificate if it conveys, with valid employment, the licensee authority to perform all the activities set forth in paragraph (A)(4)(a) of this rule.

(B)

(1) Upon appointing a person to a correctional officer position as described in paragraph (F) of rule 109:2-9-01 of the Administrative Code, the appointing agency shall submit a request for the executive director to evaluate the officer's training and eligibility to perform the functions of a correctional officer. Such request will be made on a form provided by the executive director and shall be submitted immediately upon appointing the officer.

(2) Persons who have completed required training and who have not been appointed as a correctional officer for one year or less shall remain eligible for appointment and shall not be required to complete additional specialized or other training to remain eligible for appointment.

(3) Persons who have completed required training and who have not been appointed as a correctional officer for more than one year but less than four years shall, within one year of appointment, successfully complete any specialized training, and any other training deemed appropriate by the appointing authority.

(4) Persons who have completed required training and who have not been appointed as a correctional officer for more than four years shall, upon appointment, complete entry level training required of their position as prescribed in rule 109:2-9-02 of the Administrative Code.

(5) Notwithstanding the training requirements set forth in paragraphs (B)(2), (B)(3), and (B)(4) of this rule, a member of the national guard or a military reservist who has previously been appointed as a correctional officer and has been awarded a certificate of successful completion of basic training by the executive director and has not been appointed as a correctional officer for one year or more due to active duty in the uniformed services, when such absence from the appointment is as a direct result of the person's mobilization to active duty service, shall, upon return from active duty, be immediately eligible for appointment as a correctional officer and shall not be required to meet the training requirements set forth in paragraphs (B)(2), (B)(3), and (B)(4) of this rule provided that they present satisfactory evidence of the service member's discharge under honorable conditions or release under honorable conditions from active duty or national guard duty within six months after the discharge or release.

Last updated September 14, 2026 at 7:35 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 109.74
Amplifies: 109.73, 109.75
Five Year Review Date: 9/3/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 10/16/2009