PCQI Training
Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Course
Course Description
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires facilities processing any type of animal food (complete feed or ingredients) to comply with new current good manufacturing practices and to implement a written animal food safety plan developed and overseen by a “Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).”
This course is the only standardized training developed by the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance. It is accepted by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as meeting the requirements of PCQI designation (requirements of 21CFR117.180.). The course content will provide knowledge of FSMA Animal Preventive Controls Rule and training for the creation of an effective animal food safety plan.
Objectives
Apply Advanced Hazard Analysis Techniques
Design and Validate Preventive Controls
Integrate FSMA 204 Traceability and Data Integrity
Strengthen Environmental and Sanitation Verification Programs
Conduct Root Cause Analysis and Prevent Recurrence
Evaluate and Document Validation Evidence
Implement a Culture-Driven Food Safety System
Demonstrate PCQI Competency for FDA Compliance
Manage Supply-Chain Preventive Controls
Leverage Digital Tools and Data Trending
Audience
This course is intended for individuals needing Preventive Controls Qualified Individual designation to create Food Safety Modernization Act Hazard Analysis Risk Based Preventive Control plans for their animal food facilities such as pet food processors, feed mills, suppliers to the pet food and animal feed industry or any industry that supplies byproducts for animal consumption. A certificate of completion will be given by the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance.
Food Safety Managers, HACCP Coordinators, and Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQIs)
Verification Staff, Internal Auditors, and Compliance Specialists
Food Safety Culture Leaders or Champions
Production Operators overseeing Food Production and Sanitation Programs
Supply-Chian/Procurement, Regulatory, Technical, and Compliance Roles
Senior Management accountable for FSMA Compliance
Consultants, Auditors and Training supporting FSMA or GFSI implementation
Participants should have a basic understanding of at least one sector of the food industry—such as food manufacturing, processing, or warehouse/distribution—to maximize learning effectiveness.
Successful completion of this course meets FDA’s requirements for a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)under 21 CFR 117.180(c)(1), qualifying participants to develop and oversee Food Safety Plans in FDA-regulated facilities.
Instruction Hours
PCQI classes are scheduled 8:00 am-4:30pm (Day 1 & 2), 8:00am-1:00pm (Day 3) CST via TEAMS for a total of approximately 22 hours.
$795 per participant
Course Availability:
PCQI Training
Select an available date to reserve your spot.
PCQI is a 22-hour course that is spread over 2.5 days. Dates indicated above are training start dates. Multiple seats can be reserved when completing the checkout process.
2026 PCQI Course Dates
Training Methodology
This course is interactive and hands-on, based on adult learning theory. It includes presentations, demonstrations, activities, exercises, multimedia tools, and a hands-on evaluation. The exercises can be customized to address the specific requirements of your organization.
We request that participants bring a copy of the current process flow chart, raw material specification, and a finished product specification for an item produced on the same line. During the in-class exercises, we will complete the product descriptions, risk assessments, and hazard analysis for several steps in your process.
Participants will complete exercises along with contributing to content discussions throughout the course to gauge baseline knowledge. A post-assessment and student evaluation will be administered at the conclusion of the course to measure learning outcomes and gather participant feedback.
Instructor
This course is delivered by a highly skilled, certified trainer with real world experience in development and implementation of Food Safety systems across multiple food sector categories.
Course Outline
What You'll Learn
Develop, implement, and maintain a compliant Food Safety Plan that meets the requirements of 21 CFR 117, integrating hazard analysis, preventive controls, and verification activities.
Apply scientific and data-driven methods to validate and verify preventive controls, conduct root-cause analyses, and document corrective and preventive actions effectively.
Integrate traceability (FSMA 204), environmental monitoring, and food safety culture principles into facility-wide preventive control systems.
Demonstrate the competencies of a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) capable of overseeing food safety programs and ensuring continuous regulatory compliance.
What's Included
Instructor-led Training
Standardized Curriculum
Interactive Learning Exercises
Downloadable Resources
Certificate issued by the FSPCA via IIT IFSH Certificate Registry
