Frequently Asked Questions

PCQI stands for Preventive Controls Qualified Individual.  This training equips you with the knowledge to develop and implement a Preventive Controls, a crucial element in ensuring food safety compliance.

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PCQI overview

PCQI certification

The EnsureIQ PCQI Certification Training typically takes about 20 hours to complete. Some specialized PCQI training can take longer to complete depending on individual's learning style and speed. Our online training platform allows participants to progress at their own pace, giving them the flexibility to balance their training with other responsibilities.

PCQI training can be beneficial for individuals working in facilities that handle human food and are subject to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This applies to companies involved in:

• Manufacturing

• Processing

• Packing

• Holding food for consumption

There are some exceptions, though. Here are some facilities that generally don't need PCQI:

• Small businesses meeting specific criteria for exemption

• Processors in certain industries with existing mandatory preventive control standards (e.g., seafood industry)

For most facilities involved in the food supply chain, however, having a PCQI on staff is mandatory to comply with FSMA. The PCQI is responsible for developing and implementing a site-specific food safety plan to minimize risks of contamination.

No, PCQI ( Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) are not exactly the same, although PCQI builds upon HACCP principles. Here's a breakdown of the key differences:

• Focus: HACCP concentrates on identifying and controlling critical points within the food production process where hazards are most likely to occur. PCQI takes a broader approach, encompassing the entire supply chain, from farm to fork, along with allergen control, sanitation, and food fraud prevention.

• Regulations: HACCP is a well-established approach, but PCQI stems from the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF) rule. So, PCQI ensures compliance with these specific regulations.

• Implementation:  Both require a plan, but PCQI mandates a qualified individual (the PCQI) to validate the plan and conduct regular checks (weekly). HACCP plans require a designated team but don't specify qualifications or verification frequency.

In essence, PCQI can be seen as an advanced version of HACCP, offering a more comprehensive and dynamic approach to food safety.

The duration varies depending on the training you choose:

EnsureIQ Certified HACCP Fundamentals and Principles Training (FSE102 and FSS102): This comprehensive program takes approximately 16 hours to complete.

EnsureIQ HACCP Refresher Course (FSE103 and FSS103): Designed for those already familiar with HACCP, this refresher course can be completed in about 4 hours.

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point. It's a systematic approach to preventing foodborne illnesses by identifying potential hazards throughout the food production process. HACCP helps ensure food safety compliance and consumer protection.

FSE102 Certified HACCP Fundamentals and Principles

FSE103 HACCP Refresher

HACCP courses are also available in Spanish

FSS102 Principios y Fundamentos Certificados de HACCP

FSS103 Actualización de HACCP

Online HACCP, GMP and PCQI training offers flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace and schedule. It's also often more convenient and potentially cost-effective.

The PCQI training program covers a range of topics, including hazard analysis, preventive controls, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, verification, recordkeeping, examples, case studies and more. Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements outlined in the FSMA regulations. The course is comprised of more than 15 modules.

There are two main ways to qualify as a PCQI:

• Training: Successfully complete a training program that covers the development and application of risk-based preventive controls. This program should be at least as rigorous as the standardized curriculum recognized by the FDA. EnsureIQ offers such training that is 100% online, examinable and based on standardized curriculum. 

• Experience: Have experience working in food safety that demonstrates you have knowledge equivalent to what you would get from the standardized training program. This experience would need to show you understand the development and application of risk-based preventive controls for ensuring food safety.

So, while there's no single certification, you'll need to show competency through training or relevant experience to become a PCQI.

Yes, upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of completion that you can download and print.

Yes, EnsureIQ training are 100% online and designed for self-paced learning, offering you the flexibility to complete the training modules at your own convenience, entirely through a web-based platform. This allows you to learn according to your schedule and revisit topics as needed.

EnsureIQ online training program utilizes a variety of learning methods to ensure a comprehensive and engaging experience. This includes multimedia presentations, clear and concise readings, interactive exercises to reinforce understanding, and self-assessment quizzes to track your progress. By catering to different learning styles, this approach helps you retain information effectively.

Generally, a reliable internet connection and a standard computer are sufficient.

Yes. We're here to support you every step of the way. From quick contact options to detailed FAQs and helpful guidance materials, our team is dedicated to ensuring your success.

Yes, full payment is required to access the course materials. However, some employers may offer reimbursement for food safety certifications. We recommend checking with your human resources department for details.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) for secure online payments. In addition, we also support payments through major digital wallets for your convenience.

Absolutely! You can add multiple courses to your cart and pay for them in a single transaction. We also offer bundle discounts for purchasing multiple courses, so check out our pricing page for details.

No need to create an account beforehand! Our checkout process is frictionless. When you purchase a course, we'll automatically create a new account for you using the email address you provide. You'll receive your username and password immediately via email, allowing you to access the course materials right away. Returning users can simply log in with their existing credentials.

If you encounter any issues during checkout, please chat with our customer support team for instant assistance or contact our food safety specialists. We're happy to assist you.

We offer occasional discounts for students and military members. Please contact customer support for current offers. We also offer discounts for bulk purchases (for companies or organizations). Contact us for a quote.

You'll have access to the course materials for 1 year after your purchase. This allows you to complete the course at your own pace and revisit the materials for reference as needed.

During checkout, you'll need to provide your billing information, including your name, email address, and billing address.

Yes, you'll have the opportunity to review your order summary during checkout. This will include details like the courses you're purchasing, the total price, and your billing information. You can make any necessary changes before confirming your order.

Once you confirm your order and payment is successful, you'll receive a confirmation email with your purchase details. You'll also receive a separate email with your login credentials (username and password) if you're a new user.

After your purchase, you can access the course materials by logging in to your account on EnsureIQ.com. The specific instructions for accessing the course will be included in your confirmation email.

EnsureIQ LMS is a Learning Management System specifically designed for the food manufacturing industry. It provides interactive food safety courses and digital training records to meet regulatory requirements.

EnsureIQ LMS supports the entire food manufacturing industry including food production, manufacturing, food processing and distribution centers. 

It is designed to meet the training needs of companies in this sector by providing pre-loaded food safety modules that comply with regulatory standards such as FSMA, HACCP, and GFSI. The platform is also adaptable to various types of food operations, offering customizable training content to address unique operational conditions. This makes it suitable for businesses ranging from small-scale food manufacturers to larger enterprises in the food production and processing sectors.

EnsureIQ LMS offers training content in both English and Spanish.

Training effectiveness can be verified through built-in quizzes or direct observation of employees conducting tasks. The system allows for documenting both types of verification

EnsureIQ LMS helps companies meet GFSI, USDA, and FDA regulatory requirements through its comprehensive food safety training programs. It automates documentation for audit readiness and offers updated courses reflecting changes in regulations.

EnsureIQ LMS is a Learning Management System specifically developed for the food manufacturing industry. Here's what makes it unique compared to other LMS platforms:

• Industry-specific focus: EnsureIQ LMS is tailored for food manufacturing, with pre-loaded food safety modules that meet regulatory requirements such as FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, and GFSI.

• Bilingual content: Training content is available in both English and Spanish, making it accessible to a diverse workforce.

• Flexible training modes: The system supports both individual and group training sessions without the need for additional equipment like remote controls or receivers.

• Mobile compatibility: Employees can participate in training using their phones or other electronic devices or eLearn at dedicated kiosk or remotely on any device.

• Customization: While it comes with pre-loaded content, EnsureIQ LMS allows companies to upload their own training materials, including videos, presentations, PDFs, and Word documents.

• Compliance-oriented: The system provides digital, "audit-ready" training records, ensuring companies meet regulatory and third-party audit requirements.

• Verification options: Training effectiveness can be verified through built-in quizzes or direct observation of employees performing tasks.

• Cost-effective: EnsureIQ LMS offers an alternative to traditional "pen and paper" training, potentially reducing training costs and improving efficiency.

By focusing specifically on the food manufacturing sector and offering features tailored to this industry's unique needs, EnsureIQ LMS distinguishes itself from more general-purpose learning management systems.

Key benefits include efficient onboarding, maintaining a strong safety culture, maximizing productivity, reducing audit preparation time (up to 96%), decreasing safety incidents (25%), and improving production efficiency (27%).