Independent — initial
DODD initial certification training, department curriculum (OAC 5123-2-09)
Independent — annual
8 hours: 2 hrs DODD curriculum + 6 hrs self-selected
Agency DSPs — orientation
Pre-service topics + 4 more within 30 calendar days of hire (App. C)
Agency DSPs — annual
8 hours: 2 hrs DODD curriculum + 6 hrs agency-provided (App. C)
Medication administration
DODD Category 1 (14h) / 2 / 3 cert, RN-trainer-led (OAC 5123-6-06)
First aid & CPR
Current, hands-on (Red Cross / AHA)
MUI awareness
Mandatory reporter (ORC 5123.61; OAC 5123-17-02)
An independent provider completes DODD's required initial certification training — delivered on the department's curriculum — before certification, covering first aid/CPR, individual rights (ORC 5123.62), the DSP role and NADSP ethics, person-centered planning and community integration, universal precautions, documentation, behavioral support (OAC 5123-2-06), and the MUI system (OAC 5123-17-02). Each year they complete 8 hours of continuing education — 2 hours using DODD-provided curriculum plus 6 hours self-selected from Components of Quality Care, Health & Safety, and Positive Behavioral Support (OAC 5123-2-09).
For agency DSPs, Appendix C to OAC 5123-2-08 sets three clocks. Before providing direct services: agency orientation (mission, policies, services, billing documentation), six topics on department-provided curriculum (empathy-based care, the DSP role and NADSP ethics, individual rights under ORC 5123.62, ISP implementation, MUI recognition and reporting, universal precautions), training on each person's individual service plan, and hands-on first aid and CPR. Within thirty calendar days of hire: person-centered planning, facilitating community participation, the MUI rule's provisions with a health-and-welfare-alerts review, and empathy-based care. Annually: eight hours — two on DODD curriculum (ethics, rights, empathy-based care) plus six agency-provided (MUI recognition with agency data, alerts review, and topics from the quality-care, health-and-safety, and positive-behavioral-support menus). The agency's written training plan, updated at least every twelve months, ties it all together — which makes dated training records essential at survey time.
Administering medication or performing health-related activities requires DODD medication-administration certification (Category 1 for oral/topical/inhaled medications and certain health-related activities; Category 2 for gastrostomy/jejunostomy tube; Category 3 for insulin and subcutaneous injections for glycemic disorders), delivered in person by a DODD-certified RN trainer, with nurse delegation where required (ORC 5123.42; OAC Chapter 5123-6). Under OAC 5123-6-06, initial certification is a 14-hour Category 1 course(Categories 2 and 3 add 4 hours each), delivered by a DODD-certified RN trainer; annual renewal is at least 2 hours of continuing education for Category 1 (1 hour each for Categories 2 and 3) with a return demonstration, and a 60-day grace period applies before the full course must be repeated.
New to Ohio's system? See our guide to becoming a DODD provider in Ohio.
DSPlife™ TrainingHub is built for DODD, ODP, HHSC, and DBHDS providers. Its Ohio library ships with courses your DSPs can complete on their own schedule — from individual rights and the MUI system to person-centered planning and behavioral support — logs completion and competency, tracks renewals with automatic alerts, and generates audit-ready reports for a DODD compliance review. See the full compliance overview.
It depends on the provider type. Independent providers complete DODD’s required initial certification training on the department’s curriculum, plus 8 hours of annual continuing education (OAC 5123-2-09). Agency DSPs follow Appendix C of OAC 5123-2-08: a pre-service set (agency orientation, six department-curriculum topics, individual-specific ISP training, and hands-on first aid/CPR), four more topics within thirty calendar days of hire, and eight annual hours — two on DODD-provided curriculum plus six agency-provided.
A DSP may administer medication or perform certain health-related activities only after earning DODD medication-administration certification (Category 1, 2, or 3) delivered in person by a DODD-certified RN trainer, with nurse delegation where required (ORC 5123.42; OAC Chapter 5123-6). Under OAC 5123-6-06, Category 1 is a 14-hour course (Categories 2 and 3 add 4 hours each); annual renewal is at least 2 hours of continuing education for Category 1 (1 hour each for Categories 2 and 3) plus a return demonstration, with a 60-day grace period before the full course must be repeated.
A Major Unusual Incident is a serious event affecting health or welfare, defined in OAC 5123-17-02. Anyone paid to provide services to a person with a developmental disability is a mandatory reporter under ORC 5123.61 and must report forthwith — and failing to report is itself a reportable MUI.
Yes — current first aid and CPR are named in DODD’s required initial training. These are hands-on certifications from an approved provider such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association; a self-paced online course does not by itself certify hands-on CPR or first-aid skills.
General information, not legal advice. DSPlife™ TrainingHub is not affiliated with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. Confirm current requirements at dodd.ohio.gov and the Ohio Administrative Code.
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