What is a PCQI and how do you get PCQI certified?

A PCQI (preventive controls qualified individual) is the person who prepares or oversees a plant's food safety plan under the FDA Preventive Controls rule. The FDA has no PCQI certification process: a person qualifies through training at least equivalent to the standardized curriculum the FDA recognizes, or through job experience that gave them the same knowledge.

Under 21 CFR 117.180, the PCQI prepares the food safety plan, validates preventive controls, reviews records and reanalyzes the plan, among other tasks. The PCQI does not have to be an employee of the plant. According to the FDA, the recognized standardized curriculum is the one from the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA); taking it is voluntary, and the FDA assesses whether the food safety plan is adequate rather than an individual's credentials. The FSPCA course (version 2.0) covers the same curriculum in at least 22 contact hours, delivered in person, virtually, self-paced or blended, and the participant manual is available in Spanish. Training must be documented with the date, type and people trained.