General questions
Question: Why is the PUCO changing the PUCO Community login process?
Answer: The PUCO is partnering with OH|ID to securely manage users’ digital identity. OH|ID meets all federal and state digital security guidelines and is regularly audited to ensure your data and personal information remain private and secured.
Question: What else can I do with an OH|ID account?
Answer: OH|ID is a centralized, secured portal designed for Ohioans to access information and conduct business with a variety of state agencies, all in one place. As more state agencies integrate with OH|ID, you will be able to request access to more applications.
Question: How does this make interacting with the PUCO easier?
Answer: You can request access to the PUCO Community electronically – no need to call the PUCO to set up an account. New users must complete a request form and typically will have automatic access. If your request requires PUCO staff review, your request should be resolved within one to two business days.
OH|ID questions
Question: How do I create an OH|ID?
Answer: Please follow the instructions on the PUCO Community page.
Question: I forgot my OH|ID username and/or password. What should I do?
Answer: Please use the forgot username/password function on the OH|ID website.
Question: Should my OH|ID email be the same as my PUCO Community email address?
Answer: If you have a PUCO Community account and your OH|ID account email matches your PUCO Community account email, your access will be automatic. If the email for your OH|ID account does not match your PUCO Community account email address, you must complete a request for access form, and your request may require staff review.
Question: How do I confirm which email address is my PUCO Community account email address?
Answer: You can contact PUCO to confirm which email address we have on file. Call (800) 686- PUCO (7826) or email ContactThePUCO@puco.ohio.gov.
Question: I have multiple OH|ID accounts. Which one should I use to access PUCO Community?
Answer: Some OH|ID users might have a personal OH|ID account and an account they use to interact with the state on behalf of their company or employer. If you have multiple accounts, but now want to use only one, decide which OH|ID account to keep and abandon use of all other accounts. If possible, we recommend keeping the OH|ID account with the email that matches your PUCO Community account email.
If you have access to multiple state applications that are connected to your locked OH|ID account, you must request access to those applications again, through your newly created OH|ID account.
NOTE: We recommend that users create only one OH|ID account.
Question: Is it okay to share my OH|ID account username and password with others (e.g. a spouse, colleague etc.)?
Answer: For security reasons, we do not recommend sharing your OH|ID.
Question: To create an OH|ID account, I must enter my date of birth. Why does OH|ID require my date of birth?
Answer: OH|ID requires your date of birth as a security measure of identity management. This information does not transfer to PUCO, and PUCO does not require your date of birth for PUCO Community access.
Question: I entered incorrect information when creating an OH|ID account. How do I make corrections?
Answer: If you can log in to your OH|ID account, click User Account Management at the top of the screen to make edits to your profile information. If you are locked out of your account and the password recovery methods are not successful, you must create a new OH|ID account, with a different email address, and abandon the locked account.
If you have access to multiple state applications that are connected to your locked OH|ID account, you must request access to those applications again, through your newly created OH|ID account.
Question: I tried to recover my OH|ID password, but I lost access to the password recovery method(s). How can I get access to my OH|ID account?
Answer: We recommend that you set up as many password recovery methods as possible so that if one method fails, you have a backup method. If you are locked out of your account and the password recovery methods are not successful, you must create a new OH|ID account, with a different email address, and abandon the locked account.
If you have access to multiple state applications that are connected to your locked OH|ID account, you must request access to those applications again, through your newly created OH|ID account.
Question: What happens if my issue requires more help than the PUCO can provide?
Answer: PUCO will escalate the issue to the OH|ID team and follow up with you when the issue is resolved.
Follow these additional tips when creating an OH|ID account:
- Email already in use?
An email address can only be used once in connection with an OH|ID account. If a user desires to free up an email address that is already connected to an OH|ID account in order to use it to create a new account, the user will first have to replace it with a dummy email address.
- User ID chosen is already taken?
Choose a different user ID or recover the one that exists.
- Password doesn't meet guidelines?
Follow the guidelines as recommended during password creation.
- Lost access to email/phone number password recovery methods on file?
User needs to keep recovery methods updated.
- Weak and outdated browsers?
Users should make sure their browsers are updated. OH|ID supports Chrome, IE, Safari and Firefox.
PUCO request form questions
Question: I am already registered in the PUCO Community, so why do I have to fill out a request form?
Answer: If you used a different email address for OH|ID than your PUCO Community email address, you must complete the request form. If you’d like to update your email address on file with PUCO, please add comments at the bottom of the page in Step 2 of the form. A PUCO staff member will make the change.
Question: The registration form says I need a PIN, but I do not have one. What do I do?
Answer: Click “I do not have a PIN” on this screen. Currently, PINs do not apply to the OH|ID users.
Question: I do not know my company’s certificate number. What do I do?
Answer: Most users will have automatic access if they enter the correct certificate number. If you do not have the certificate number, you can click “I do not have a certificate number” and a PUCO staff member will assist with setting up your access.
PUCO Community general login questions
Question: I received an email that says I need to verify my email and set a password. What do I do?
Answer: If you are not a motor carrier or driver, please disregard this email.
If you are a motor carrier or driver, please follow the instructions in the email to set up your password. This is the correct process for motor carriers and drivers.
Question: The PUCO Community login screen has changed. How do I log in?
Answer: All users except motor carriers and drivers must use their OH|ID account to access the PUCO Community. If you do not have an OH|ID, go to OHID.ohio.gov to create one.
Question: I am already a PUCO Community user and I need additional permissions. How to I update my profile to get the correct access in the PUCO Community?
Answer: Please call (800) 686-PUCO (7826) or email ContactThePUCO@puco.ohio.gov.