The Ohio PUCO telephone certification application is the package of forms a company files with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to get legal permission to sell phone service in Ohio. Any business that wants to act as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC), an out-of-territory ILEC, or a telecommunications service provider that does not offer local service must hold this certificate before it signs up a single customer.
The certificate proves your company can meet Ohio’s financial, technical, and managerial standards under Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4901:1-6. File the wrong form, skip an exhibit, or check the wrong box, and the Commission will dismiss your case under OAC 4901:1-6, sending you back to the start. Most certification filings move on a 30-day automatic-approval track, which means a clean application can clear in about a month, but a flawed one can stall for weeks while you refile.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What each form in the certification package does and which carrier type checkbox fits your business
- 📂 The exact documents, ID numbers, and exhibits to gather before you open the forms
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of the Telecommunications Filing Form and the Supplemental Carrier Certification Form
- 🏢 Three full filing examples for a CLEC, a long-distance reseller, and a VoIP-style provider
- ⚠️ The mistakes that get applications dismissed and how to dodge each one
What the Application Is and Who Must File It
The “application for telephone certification” is not one single page. It is a bundle led by the Telecommunications Filing Form (Effective 04-01-2020), paired with the Telecommunications Supplemental Application Form for Carrier Certification, and often a Telecommunications Retail Service Offering form. Together these tell the PUCO who you are, what service you plan to sell, and proof that you can run a phone company without harming Ohio consumers.
The Commission receives and dockets the filing through its Docketing Division. The legal authority comes from the rules adopted in Case No. 10-1010-TP-ORD and the later filing-form order in Case No. 19-0173-TP-ORD. The governing statute is Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4927, which directs the PUCO to certify telephone companies and protect basic local exchange service.
You must file if you fit one of these carrier types named on the form: a CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier), an ILEC offering basic local exchange service outside its traditional territory, a Telecommunications Service Provider Not Offering Local Service (this covers most long-distance resellers and many interconnected VoIP providers), or a carrier seeking a CETC or CESTC designation. Each type maps to a specific rule and a specific automatic-approval clock.
Here is how the moving parts connect. The form tells the agency what you want. The agency (PUCO) reviews it. The statute (ORC 4927) gives the PUCO power to say yes or no. The deadline is the 30-day automatic-grant window for most certifications. The penalty for getting it wrong is dismissal, refiling, and lost time-to-market while competitors sign up the customers you wanted.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open a single form. The Commission requires each application to be complete on the day you file, and a missing exhibit is grounds for dismissal under OAC 4901:1-6. A complete pre-filing checklist saves you from the most common reason filings die.
- Legal company name and any DBAs. The PUCO cross-checks your name against your Ohio Secretary of State registration; a mismatch stalls the case.
- Ohio Secretary of State good-standing record. If you are a foreign corporation, you must be registered to do business in Ohio first, or the Commission questions your legal capacity.
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). This identifies your company across state and federal records and appears on supporting documents.
- Regulatory contact person, email, phone, and fax. The PUCO sends all case correspondence here; a stale email means you miss deadlines.
- Financial capability proof. Recent financial statements, balance sheet, or a parent-company guarantee show you can fund operations and refund deposits.
- Technical and managerial capability statements. Brief résumés or a narrative showing your team has run telecom operations before.
- Proposed tariff or Retail Service Offering. A CLEC files a tariff; a provider not offering local service files a Retail Service Offering describing rates and terms.
- A reserved Case Number, if you have one. Most applicants leave this blank and let Docketing assign it, but a pre-reserved number must be entered exactly.
- OH|ID and access to the electronic docketing system. You file through the PUCO’s electronic system; without a working login you cannot submit.
If any item is missing, the practical result is the same: the Commission either dismisses the case or issues a deficiency letter that pauses your automatic-approval clock. Either way, you lose weeks. Treat this list as a gate you pass through before drafting.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
All certification forms live on the PUCO’s Telecommunications application forms page. The page states plainly that these forms must be used for all new telephone-related applications filed under Case No. 10-1010-TP-ORD, and that failure to use them, or to attach the required exhibits, results in dismissal. Download the current versions each time, because the Commission updates them without warning.
You will pull at least three files: the Telecommunications Filing Form, the Telecommunications Supplemental Application Form for Carrier Certification, and either a tariff or the Telecommunications Retail Service Offering Form. ETC applicants also grab the high-cost or low-income universal service forms. Save them as fillable PDFs and complete each in its entirety, since the page warns that partial forms get rejected.
To file, you submit electronically as directed in Case No. 06-900-AU-WVR, or you mail the completed package to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Attention: Docketing Division, 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215-3793. To confirm how many copies you need, check the procedural filing requirements on the PUCO website or call the Docketing Division at 614-466-4095. The current 04-01-2020 revision date is printed at the top of the Filing Form, so confirm you have that version before you type anything.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Telephone Certification Application Line by Line
This walkthrough is the heart of the guide. It follows the Telecommunications Filing Form first, then the Supplemental Carrier Certification Form. Use the exact box labels printed on the form, and italicized text shows sample entries exactly as they appear on the page.
Caption: In the Matter of the Application of…
This top block is the case caption, the same style you see at the top of a court document. It names your company and states the purpose of the filing in one sentence.
To answer it, write your full legal company name and a short purpose line. For example, In the Matter of the Application of Buckeye Connect LLC for a Certificate to Operate as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier. Keep it factual and short.
A real example: Maria Delgado, founder of Buckeye Connect LLC, types her company name and the CLEC purpose so the docket clerk can route the case correctly.
A common edge case is a company that already operates in another state under a parent name. Use the Ohio filing entity’s exact legal name, not the parent’s, unless the parent is the actual applicant.
A common mistake here is naming a trade name instead of the legal entity, which forces Docketing to issue a correction and delays docketing. The direct consequence is your 30-day clock does not start until the caption is fixed.
A frequent misconception is that the caption is just a title you can edit later. It is not; it defines the legal applicant and changing it after filing can require a new case.
Case No. Field
This field asks for a docket case number, the unique ID the PUCO uses to track your filing. Most applicants do not have one yet.
To answer it, leave the field BLANK unless you reserved a number in advance, exactly as the form’s note instructs. If you did reserve one, type it in the Commission’s format, such as 25-1234-TP-ACE.
A real example: Buckeye Connect LLC leaves the Case No. field empty, and Docketing assigns 25-XXXX-TP-ACE on receipt.
The edge case is a refiling after dismissal. Even then, you usually get a fresh number, so do not reuse the old one unless Docketing tells you to.
A common mistake is inventing a number or copying one from a sample form, which causes the system to reject or misroute the filing. The consequence is a bounced submission and a lost day.
The misconception is that you must have a case number to file. You do not; the blank field is the normal path for new applicants.
Name, DBA, and Address of Registrant(s)
These fields ask for your company’s legal name, any “doing business as” names, and your mailing address. They establish who is legally bound by the certificate.
To answer, enter the legal name in all the form fields, list each DBA or write n/a if none, and give a full street address. Write it like Buckeye Connect LLC, DBA n/a, 250 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215.
A real example: Marcus Webb of Statewide Long Distance Inc. lists his DBA StateLine Calling because he markets under that brand to consumers.
The edge case is a P.O. Box. The Commission prefers a physical address for service of legal documents, so include a street address even if mail goes to a box.
A common mistake is leaving DBAs blank instead of writing n/a, which makes reviewers wonder whether you skipped the field. The consequence is a possible deficiency note.
The misconception is that the DBA you market under can replace your legal name. It cannot; the certificate issues to the legal entity, and the DBA is informational.
Company Web Address and Regulatory Contact Person(s)
These fields ask for your website and the name of the person who handles regulatory matters. The PUCO routes every order and question to this contact.
To answer, enter your live URL and the full name of your regulatory lead, such as web www.buckeyeconnect.com and contact Maria Delgado. If you have no site yet, write n/a.
A real example: Aisha Patel, compliance manager for a VoIP startup, lists herself as the regulatory contact so notices reach her directly, not a general inbox.
The edge case is using an outside attorney or consultant as the contact. That is allowed, but make sure they will forward Commission deadlines to you.
A common mistake is naming a busy executive who never checks the inbox, so a 30-day deficiency notice goes unread. The consequence is a missed cure deadline and a dismissed case.
The misconception is that this contact is just a formality. It is the legal point of service, and the Commission treats notice to this person as notice to the company.
Regulatory Person’s Email, Phone, and Fax
These fields capture the direct email, phone, and fax for your regulatory contact. Email is now the primary channel for Commission correspondence.
To answer, type a monitored email, a direct phone in (area) prefix-line format, and a fax if you have one. Enter it like email mdelgado@buckeyeconnect.com, phone (614) 555-0142, fax left blank.
A real example: Marcus Webb enters his cell number as the regulatory phone because his small company has no front desk.
The edge case is no fax line, which is common today. Leave the fax field blank rather than entering a fake number.
A common mistake is a typo in the email, which silently sends every Commission notice into the void. The consequence is total loss of case communication and likely dismissal.
The misconception is that the PUCO will call if email bounces. It generally will not; the form puts the burden on you to give a working address.
Contact Person for Annual Report and Consumer Contact Information
These fields name who handles your yearly report and where Ohio consumers reach your customer service. They protect both regulators and customers.
To answer, list an annual-report contact with a phone, plus a consumer service line and address. Enter customer service as Customer Care, phone (800) 555-0188.
A real example: Aisha Patel lists a toll-free (800) line because Ohio expects residential customers to reach support without a long-distance charge.
The edge case is using the same person for regulatory and annual-report duties. That is fine for small carriers; just enter the name in both places.
A common mistake is listing a sales number instead of a true customer service line, which frustrates consumers and can draw complaints. The consequence is regulatory scrutiny and possible enforcement.
The misconception is that consumer contact info is optional for a small startup. It is expected of every certified carrier, regardless of size.
Motion for Protective Order and Motion for Waiver Checkboxes
These two checkboxes ask whether you are filing confidential material under seal and whether you seek a waiver of any rule. Each affects how your case proceeds.
To answer, check Yes or No for each. Most new certifications check No for both. If your financials are confidential, check Yes for the protective order and file the motion with the application.
A real example: Buckeye Connect LLC checks Yes for a protective order because its bank statements contain account numbers it wants shielded.
The edge case is a waiver request. The form warns that waivers may toll any automatic timeframe, meaning your 30-day clock pauses while the PUCO rules on the waiver.
A common mistake is filing confidential financials without checking the protective-order box, which puts your private data on the public docket. The consequence is exposure of sensitive information that cannot be undone.
The misconception is that checking Yes for a waiver speeds things up. It usually slows them down because it stops the automatic clock.
Section II, Part I: Carrier Certification Checkboxes
This is the core certification grid. It asks you to pick your carrier type and the matching application code: ILEC out-of-territory, CLEC, Telecommunications Service Provider Not Offering Local Service, CESTC, or CETC. Each box ties to a rule and a clock.
To answer, check exactly one box that matches your business. A new competitive local carrier checks ACE 1-6-08 (Auto 30-day) under the CLEC column. A long-distance reseller checks ACE 1-6-08 (Auto 30-day) under “Service Provider Not Offering Local Service.”
A real example: Buckeye Connect LLC checks the CLEC ACE 1-6-08 box, while Statewide Long Distance Inc. checks the same code under the no-local-service column.
The edge case is a CETC designation, which uses UNC 1-6-09 (Non-Auto). Non-automatic means there is no 30-day grant; the Commission must act before you are designated.
A common mistake is checking both CLEC and the no-local-service box, which contradicts itself and confuses the reviewer. The consequence is a deficiency notice and a stalled clock.
The misconception is that the carrier type is just a label. It controls which supplemental form you must attach and which rules govern your operations after certification.
Supplemental Carrier Certification Form: Company and Service Description
The supplemental form asks for a detailed description of the company, its ownership, and the exact services you intend to offer. This is where you prove you know your own business plan.
To answer, write a clear narrative: who owns the company, what services you will sell, where in Ohio, and to whom. Describe it plainly, such as Buckeye Connect LLC will offer facilities-based and resold local exchange and toll service to residential and small-business customers in the Columbus and Cleveland LATAs.
A real example: Aisha Patel writes that her company offers interconnected VoIP service statewide and resells underlying carrier transport.
The edge case is a company offering only enterprise or wholesale service. Say so clearly, because the consumer-protection rules differ from residential offerings.
A common mistake is a vague one-line description, which makes the Commission ask follow-up questions. The consequence is delay while you supply the detail you should have given up front.
The misconception is that you can describe services broadly and add more later. The certificate is tied to what you describe, and major changes may require a new filing.
Supplemental Form: Financial, Technical, and Managerial Capability Exhibits
This part asks you to prove your company can actually run a phone service. It requires financial statements, a technical capability statement, and a managerial capability statement.
To answer, attach recent financial statements or a parent guarantee, a short narrative of your network and technical resources, and résumés or bios showing telecom management experience. Label each as an exhibit and reference it in the form.
A real example: Marcus Webb attaches two years of company tax returns for financial proof and a one-page bio showing ten years at a regional carrier for managerial proof.
The edge case is a brand-new company with no financial history. Use a parent-company guarantee or personal financial backing, and explain the arrangement clearly.
A common mistake is attaching financials but omitting the technical or managerial statement, which is one of the most frequent reasons certifications are dismissed. The consequence is rejection and a full refiling.
The misconception is that a startup is excused from showing capability. Every applicant must show all three capabilities, no matter how small or new.
Tariff or Retail Service Offering Attachment
CLECs file a tariff; providers not offering local service file a Telecommunications Retail Service Offering Form. This document lists your rates, terms, and the services customers can buy.
To answer, prepare the correct document for your carrier type, list each service with its price and terms, and attach it as an exhibit. A CLEC’s tariff must follow the BLES rules in OAC 4901:1-6-12.
A real example: Buckeye Connect LLC files a tariff with a residential BLES rate of $14.00 per month, while Statewide Long Distance Inc. files a Retail Service Offering listing a per-minute interstate-toll rate.
The edge case is bundled service. List the bundle components and the bundled price so the Commission can see what the customer actually pays.
A common mistake is filing a tariff when your carrier type calls for a Retail Service Offering, or vice versa. The consequence is dismissal because the wrong document type fails the form requirements.
The misconception is that rates are locked forever once filed. You can change them later through the proper tariff-amendment process, not by editing the original.
Section IV: Attestation, Affidavit, and Verification
The final section is your sworn statement that everything is true and that you will follow Commission rules. It includes an attestation, an affidavit, and a verification.
To answer, have an officer, counsel, or authorized agent check the attestation boxes, sign the affidavit, and sign the verification under penalty of perjury, with the execution date and city. Sign it like /s/ Maria Delgado, Managing Member, dated 06/15/2026 at Columbus, OH.
A real example: Aisha Patel, as an authorized officer, signs the verification confirming she used the Telecommunications Filing Form and that all information is true to the best of her knowledge.
The edge case is signature by outside counsel. The form allows it, but counsel must be authorized to bind the applicant.
A common mistake is filing without the verification, which the form requires for every filing. The consequence is an incomplete submission that Docketing will not accept.
The misconception is that the affidavit and verification are duplicates you can skip one of. They serve different purposes, and tariff-affecting filings need the affidavit while every filing needs the verification.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three scenarios follow named filers through the certification package from caption to signature. Each represents a common path to an Ohio telephone certificate.
Scenario 1: Maria Delgado files for Buckeye Connect LLC, a new CLEC
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | In the Matter of the Application of Buckeye Connect LLC for a CLEC Certificate |
| Case No. | Left BLANK for Docketing to assign |
| Name / DBA / Address | Buckeye Connect LLC, DBA n/a, 250 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 |
| Regulatory Contact / Email | Maria Delgado / mdelgado@buckeyeconnect.com |
| Protective Order / Waiver | Yes protective order (bank statements), No waiver |
| Section II, Part I box | CLEC, ACE 1-6-08 (Auto 30-day) |
| Service description | Facilities-based and resold local and toll service in Columbus and Cleveland |
| Capability exhibits | Bank statements (sealed), network statement, founder bios |
| Tariff / RSO | Tariff with residential BLES at $14.00/month |
| Section IV signature | /s/ Maria Delgado, Managing Member, 06/15/2026 at Columbus, OH |
Scenario 2: Marcus Webb files for Statewide Long Distance Inc., a toll reseller
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | In the Matter of the Application of Statewide Long Distance Inc. |
| Case No. | Left BLANK |
| Name / DBA / Address | Statewide Long Distance Inc., DBA StateLine Calling, 80 East Main Street, Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Regulatory Contact / Email | Marcus Webb / mwebb@statelinecalling.com |
| Protective Order / Waiver | No / No |
| Section II, Part I box | Service Provider Not Offering Local Service, ACE 1-6-08 (Auto 30-day) |
| Service description | Resold interstate and intrastate long-distance toll service statewide |
| Capability exhibits | Two years of tax returns, carrier-bio with 10 years’ experience |
| Tariff / RSO | Retail Service Offering with per-minute intrastate-toll rate |
| Section IV signature | /s/ Marcus Webb, President, 06/20/2026 at Dayton, OH |
Scenario 3: Aisha Patel files for ClearVoice Digital, an interconnected VoIP provider
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | In the Matter of the Application of ClearVoice Digital LLC |
| Case No. | Left BLANK |
| Name / DBA / Address | ClearVoice Digital LLC, DBA n/a, 500 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114 |
| Regulatory Contact / Email | Aisha Patel / apatel@clearvoicedigital.com |
| Consumer Contact | Customer Care, (800) 555-0188 |
| Section II, Part I box | Service Provider Not Offering Local Service, ACE 1-6-08 (Auto 30-day) |
| Service description | Interconnected VoIP voice service statewide, reselling underlying transport |
| Capability exhibits | Parent-company financial guarantee, network diagram, management bios |
| Tariff / RSO | Retail Service Offering listing monthly VoIP plan rates |
| Section IV signature | /s/ Aisha Patel, Compliance Officer, 06/22/2026 at Cleveland, OH |
How to File the Completed Application
The PUCO accepts certification applications through two channels, and you should keep proof from whichever you use. Confirm the required number of copies before you submit, since that count is set by the procedural filing requirements.
Electronic filing. File electronically as directed in Case No. 06-900-AU-WVR through the PUCO’s docketing system. You need an OH|ID and access to the electronic filing portal. There is no separate certification filing fee for most telephone applications, but verify current requirements with Docketing. Expect docketing within one to two business days, and keep the system confirmation receipt as your proof of filing.
Mail or in person. Send the completed Filing Form, the supplemental forms, and all exhibits, plus the required copies, to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Attention: Docketing Division, 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215-3793. Use certified mail so you have a dated receipt, or hand-deliver and ask the Docketing Division to date-stamp your copy. Processing of a clean, complete application typically runs on the 30-day automatic-approval track.
For copy counts or any procedural question, call the Docketing Division at 614-466-4095. Whatever channel you choose, save a full PDF set of everything you filed, because you will reference it in every future filing and annual report.
What Happens After You File
Once Docketing accepts your package, the Commission assigns a case number in the XX-XXXX-TP-ACE format and posts the case to the public docket. Staff then reviews your forms, exhibits, and proposed tariff or Retail Service Offering for completeness and compliance with OAC 4901:1-6.
For most certifications marked ACE 1-6-08 (Auto 30-day), the application is granted automatically thirty days after filing unless Staff or an intervenor raises an issue. If Staff finds a problem, you receive a deficiency or suspension notice that pauses the clock until you cure the defect. A waiver request or protective-order dispute can also toll that timeframe.
After your certificate issues, you are not done. Certified carriers must file annual reports, pay any applicable assessments, keep their tariff or Retail Service Offering current, and notify the Commission of changes in name, ownership, or operations under OAC 4901:1-6-29. Treat the certificate as the start of an ongoing relationship with the PUCO, not a one-time approval.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Application
Each error below has stopped real applications. Read them as a final check before you file.
- Using an outdated form version. The Commission dismisses filings that do not use the current 04-01-2020 forms.
- Naming a DBA or trade name in the caption instead of the legal entity. Docketing must correct it, delaying the start of your clock.
- Entering a made-up Case Number. The system misroutes or rejects the filing.
- Checking two conflicting carrier-type boxes. The reviewer issues a deficiency notice and your clock stalls.
- Omitting the technical or managerial capability statement. This is a top cause of dismissal and forces a full refiling.
- Filing a tariff when your carrier type needs a Retail Service Offering. The wrong document type fails the form requirement.
- Leaving the verification unsigned. The form requires verification on every filing, so Docketing rejects it.
- Putting confidential financials on the public docket without a protective order. Your sensitive data is exposed permanently.
- Listing an unmonitored email as the regulatory contact. You miss the deficiency notice and the case dies.
- Skipping required exhibits or copies. Incomplete packages are dismissed under OAC 4901:1-6.
- Forgetting to register with the Ohio Secretary of State first. The Commission questions your legal capacity to operate.
- Describing services in one vague sentence. Staff sends follow-up questions that delay your approval.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules keep your filing clean and on schedule.
Do’s
- Do download fresh forms each time, because the PUCO updates them without notice.
- Do leave the Case No. field blank unless you reserved one, since that is the normal path.
- Do attach all three capability exhibits, because every applicant must show financial, technical, and managerial fitness.
- Do match your carrier-type box to the correct supplemental form, since they are linked.
- Do use a monitored email for the regulatory contact, because that is the legal point of service.
- Do keep a complete PDF of everything you file, because you will reference it for years.
Don’ts
- Don’t invent a case number, because it breaks docketing.
- Don’t file confidential data without a protective order, because the docket is public.
- Don’t skip the verification or affidavit, because the form requires them on every filing.
- Don’t request waivers casually, because they toll your automatic-approval clock.
- Don’t use a trade name as the legal applicant, because the certificate issues to the entity.
- Don’t assume a startup is excused from capability proof, because no applicant is.
Filing Pro Se vs. With a Regulatory Attorney
Many small carriers wonder whether to file alone or hire help. The table below weighs the trade-offs.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With a Regulatory Attorney or Consultant |
|---|---|
| Saves legal fees, which matters for a lean startup | Adds cost, often a few thousand dollars per certification |
| Forces you to learn the rules you must follow anyway | Lets you focus on your business while an expert files |
| Full control over timing and content | Expert spots conflicting checkboxes and missing exhibits before filing |
| Risk of dismissal from one missed exhibit | Lower dismissal risk because pros know the common traps |
| Slower if you are new to OAC 4901:1-6 | Faster path because they file these routinely |
Pros of filing pro se
- Lower upfront cost, because you pay no professional fees.
- Direct knowledge of your own filing, which helps with future reports.
- Full control over every word and exhibit.
- No scheduling around an outside firm’s calendar.
- Builds in-house expertise you can reuse for amendments.
Cons of filing pro se
- Higher risk of dismissal from a single error.
- Time spent learning rules instead of building the business.
- No expert to catch conflicting carrier-type boxes.
- Easy to miss a tolling trigger like a waiver request.
- Mistakes can cost more time than an attorney’s fee would have cost money.
FAQs
Do I need a PUCO certificate before signing up Ohio phone customers?
Yes. You must hold the certificate before you serve any Ohio customer, because operating without one violates ORC 4927 and can trigger penalties including loss of your right to operate.
Do I leave the Case No. field blank on a new application?
Yes. Leave it blank unless you reserved a number in advance, because Docketing assigns the case number when it receives your filing.
Do I write my DBA or my legal company name in the Name of Registrant field?
No. Enter your full legal entity name in that field and list the DBA separately, because the certificate issues to the legal entity, not the trade name.
Do I check the CLEC box or the no-local-service box as a long-distance reseller?
No. A toll reseller checks the “Telecommunications Service Provider Not Offering Local Service” box, not CLEC, because it does not provide local exchange service.
Do I file a tariff or a Retail Service Offering as a provider not offering local service?
No. You file a Retail Service Offering, not a tariff, because the tariff requirement applies to CLECs and ILECs offering basic local exchange service.
Do I need to show financials if my company is brand new?
Yes. Every applicant must show financial capability, so a new company uses a parent guarantee or personal backing and explains it clearly.
Do waivers speed up my certification?
No. Waiver requests usually slow you down because the form warns they may toll the automatic-approval timeframe while the Commission rules.
Do I need to sign both the affidavit and the verification?
Yes. Every filing needs the verification, and tariff-affecting filings also need the affidavit, because they serve different legal purposes.
Do confidential financials go on the public docket automatically?
No. Check the protective-order box and file a motion, because anything filed without protection becomes part of the public record.
Do I get my certificate automatically after thirty days?
Yes. Most ACE 1-6-08 certifications grant automatically at thirty days unless Staff suspends the case or an intervenor objects.
Do I need to register with the Ohio Secretary of State before filing?
Yes. You should be registered to do business in Ohio first, because the Commission checks your legal capacity to operate in the state.
Do I have ongoing duties after my certificate issues?
Yes. You must file annual reports, keep your tariff or Retail Service Offering current, and report changes in name or ownership under OAC 4901:1-6-29.
Do I have to use the official PUCO forms, or can I draft my own?
No. You must use the official forms, because the PUCO dismisses applications that fail to use them or omit required attachments.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form STEC-B (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form STEC-CC (w/Examples) + FAQs
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- How to Fill Out the Ohio PUCO Telecommunications Filing Form for a Telephone Cooperative (With Examples) + FAQs
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