Ohio Revised Code Title LV. Roads Highways Bridges § 5525.18

No contract shall be entered into by the director of transportation, if the bidder awarded the contract is a foreign corporation, until the secretary of state has certified that the corporation is authorized to do business in this state, and, if the bidder awarded the contract is a person or partnership nonresident of the state, until the person or partnership has filed with the secretary of state a power of attorney designating the secretary of state as its agent for the purpose of accepting service of summons in any action brought in this state against the person, firm, or corporation relating to the contract, or under the highway laws or under Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code.  No estimate shall be paid to any contractor by the director until the administrator of workers' compensation has certified that the contractor has complied with every condition of Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code, and all acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto.  The certificate of compliance shall be valid for fifteen days following the period for which the employer has paid an advance premium, and shall warrant and require the payment of all estimates dated during the fifteen-day period, other than final estimates, unless the certificate is revoked by the administrator.  Upon the request of any contractor upon state highway work, or person, firm, or corporation intending to engage in contracting upon such work, the administrator, upon the receipt of any premium due, shall forward the certificate to the director.