New Hire Forms:
When a new OP&F member is hired, the employer must submit the following completed forms to OP&F:
- Employer Certification of Member Enrollment Form.
- Members Medical Questionnaire and Physicians Certification.
- A Pre-Employment Physical (PEP) that includes a Member’s Medical Questionnaire, Physician’s Certification, Cardiac Stress Test and EKG, Chest X-ray report, Lipid profile, and Spirometry. The PEP must be completed no later than the employee’s first day of full-time employment and no earlier than nine months prior to the employee’s first day of full-time employment. The complete PEP must be received by OP&F no later than sixty days after the employee’s first day of full-time employment.
- Statement Concerning Your Employment in a Job Not Covered by Social Security.
- Member Information Form (to be completed by the member).
To access the Employer Forms page please click here. If you have any questions, please contact OP&F Customer Service at 1-888-864-8363.
Frequently Asked Questions for Membership
Who are OP&F members?
OP&F members are full-time firefighters and police officers. In order to be considered full-time, the person must have received a full-time appointment as a regular police officer or firefighter and work on a full-time basis, as defined in OP&F’s governing provisions. OP&F cannot accept contributions for part-time, volunteer, temporary or seasonal employees. The Ohio Revised Code (ORC 742.01) sets forth the eligibility criteria for individuals who are required to become a member of OP&F.
When does an employee become an OP&F member?
A prospective employee becomes a member of OP&F when the person receives an appointment to a position that meets OP&F’s membership eligibility requirements and begins contributing or should have been contributing a percentage of their salary to OP&F.
What is considered full-time?
Ohio Administrative Code 742-5-03 addresses the meaning of full-time service for OP&F members.
When does OP&F membership terminate?
OP&F membership terminates upon a refund of employee contributions following resignation or dismissal or one year after the first day of resignation, dismissal or leave of absence if employee contributions remain on deposit with OP&F.
What if an employer has questions about whether a position is eligible for membership?
If an employer has questions about whether a position is eligible for membership, OP&F will determine whether or not a job meets the eligibility criteria for membership. The employer must submit a formal request and OP&F must receive a copy of the official job description.
Are there any age restrictions for becoming a member of OP&F?
No; however, the employer may wish to review their own governing authority for any restrictions regarding the hiring of prospective employees.
If a prospective employee did not “pass” the PEP, would this keep the person from OP&F membership?
A person’s medical condition would not prevent a person from becoming a member of OP&F. Employers, however, will need to review their own governing authority for any restrictions regarding the hiring of prospective members.
Frequently Asked Questions for Employer Certification of Member Enrollment Form and Member Information Form
When is a Employer Certification of Member Enrollment Form and Member Information Form required?
An Employer Certification of Member Enrollment Form and Member Information Form must be completed and filed with OP&F for each new employee who is hired as a full-time police officer or full-time firefighter in a position qualifying for enrollment in OP&F. Transferred, re-hired or reinstated members must also complete the Employer Certification of Member Enrollment Form and Member Information Form.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Pre-Employment Physical (PEP)
Why is a PEP required?
The PEP is required because under Ohio law, an in-service disability that results from heart, cardiovascular, or respiratory disease is presumed to be duty-related.
If a person did not “pass” the PEP, would this keep the person from OP&F membership?
A person’s medical condition would not prevent a person from becoming a member of OP&F. Employers, however, will need to review their own governing authority for any restrictions regarding the hiring of prospective members.
Is everyone required to undergo a PEP?
All prospective OP&F members are required to undergo the PEP prior to becoming a member. A PEP may not be required for transferred, re-hired or reinstated members; however, the employer should contact OP&F to make this determination.
When does the PEP have to be done?
The PEP must be done no later than 11:59 a.m. on the date prior to the employee becoming an OP&F member, but in no event can the tests and procedures be done earlier than nine months before that membership date.
When does the PEP have to be submitted to OP&F?
The PEP must be received by OP&F no later than 60 days after the employee becomes an OP&F member.
What medical reports must be submitted to OP&F?
The minimum medical testing and diagnostic procedures to be incorporated into a member’s physical examination administered by physicians to prospective members of OP&F must include the following:
- A Spirometry that represents at least a valid and reproducible forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) that meets the criteria of the American thoracic society;
- A chest x-ray that is at least a P.A. 72” (i.e. front to back);
- A Lipid profile that includes the total cholesterol (including both LDL and HDL) and triglycerides; and
- A cardiac stress test performed consistent with standard Bruce protocol that includes an EKG;
In addition a Completed Member’s Medical Questionnaire and Examining Physician’s Certification form must be submitted to OP&F. The signature of a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant is not valid on this certification.
What happens when an employer is unable to submit a test to OP&F?
If the employer is unable to obtain a test due to the member’s medical condition, the member’s religious beliefs or the member’s refusal to undergo a specific test, the employer may request a waiver of the test. Please contact OP&F is this situation occurs.
What if the member terminates employment before the PEP is complete?
If the employer cannot resolve a PEP deficiency due to the member terminating employment or transferring to another department, OP&F will assess the fine through the date of termination or transfer, or the date on which the complete PEP is received. The employer must certify the last day worked to OP&F.
Frequently Asked Questions for PEP Penalties
What happens if the PEP is late?
If the PEP is late, penalties must be imposed from the date the report was due until the documentation is filed with OP&F. Penalties will be assessed quarterly according to the chart below:
Days Past Due |
Penalty* |
| 1-15 days | $100 |
| 16-60 days | $500 |
| 61-180 days | $1,000 |
| 181 days or more | $3,000 |
Annual cap (per calendar year per employer) is $20,000. Employers with five or fewer OP&F members are capped at $1,500 per incident.