(A) The director of agriculture may issue the following types of licenses:

(1) Producer;

(2) Processor;

(3) Milk dealer;

(4) Raw milk retailer;

(5) Weigher, sampler, or tester;

(6) Milk hauler.

(B) The director may adopt rules establishing categories for each type of license that are based on the grade or type of dairy product with which the licensee is involved.

(C) Except as provided in section 917.091 of the Revised Code and division (J) of this section, no person shall act as or hold the person's self out as a producer; processor; milk dealer; raw milk retailer; weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler unless the person holds a valid license issued by the director under this section.

(D) Each person desiring a license shall submit to the director a license application on a form prescribed by the director, accompanied by a license fee in an amount specified in rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code. The applicant shall specify on the application the type of license and category requested and shall include any other information required by rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(E) Each applicant for a weigher, sampler, or tester license or registration, prior to issuance of the license or registration, shall pass an examination that is given in accordance with section 917.08 of the Revised Code and rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

Each applicant for any other type of license issued under this section, prior to issuance of the license, shall pass an inspection that is made in accordance with rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(F) The director shall not issue a license to an applicant unless the director determines, through an inspection or otherwise, that the applicant is in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter and the rules adopted under it.

(G) Examinations that must be passed prior to issuance of a weigher, sampler, or tester license, inspections that must be passed prior to issuance of any other type of license issued under this section, procedures for issuing and renewing licenses, and license terms and renewal periods shall comply with rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(H) Suspension and revocation of licenses shall comply with section 917.22 of the Revised Code and rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(I) Each licensed weigher, sampler, and tester annually shall meet the continuing education requirements established in rules adopted under division (B) of section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(J) A person whose religion prohibits the person from obtaining a license under this section, in place of a license, shall register with the director as a producer; processor; milk dealer; raw milk retailer; weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler.

The person claiming the exemption from licensure shall register on a form prescribed by the director and shall meet any other registration requirements contained in rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code. Upon receiving the person's registration form and determining that the person has satisfied all requirements for registration, the director shall notify the person that the person is registered to lawfully operate as a producer; processor; milk dealer; raw milk retailer; weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler.

A registrant is subject to all provisions governing licensees, such as provisions concerning testing, sampling, and inspection of dairy products. A registrant is subject to provisions governing issuance of a temporary weigher, sampler, or tester license under section 917.091 of the Revised Code. A registration shall be renewed, suspended, and revoked under the same terms as a license.

Effective Date: 10-21-1997; 04-15-2005