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Arizona Scale Certification & Weights and Measures

✓ Verified from official sources — July 11, 2026

Arizona runs a state-managed weights and measures program — commercial scale owners deal with the state agency directly. If you operate a commercial scale in Arizona — at a warehouse, farm, recycling yard, retail store, or truck stop — here is who regulates it, what the law requires, and exactly who to contact.

Who inspects commercial scales in Arizona?

State-run program: WMSD state inspectors license and test all commercial weighing and measuring devices and conduct retail/package inspections statewide; there are no county W&M programs. Scale owners contact WMSD at (602) 542-4373.

What Arizona requires of scale owners

Under A.R.S. 3-3451 every commercial device (including scales) must be licensed by WMSD: submit a Device License Application/Placed-In-Service Report to get a Business Master File (BMF) number, pay per-device fees, and renew via the online system; devices must have an NTEP or CTEP Certificate of Conformance, and license changes must be reported within 7 days. WMSD also licenses the Registered Service Agencies/Representatives who install and certify devices.

Devices used to buy or sell by weight must comply with NIST Handbook 44 — in practice this means an NTEP-certified, legal-for-trade scale. Confirm requirements for your device class with the office listed here.

Getting a scale into service — 4 steps

  1. Buy a legal-for-trade (NTEP-certified) scale appropriate for your application and capacity.
  2. Confirm registration and licensing requirements with the Arizona Department of Agriculture ((602) 542-4373) before the scale enters commercial use.
  3. Arrange compliant installation and calibration. Where required, placing-in-service must be done by a licensed or registered service company.
  4. Stay compliant. Pass required inspections, keep calibration current, retain service records.

Common questions

Who certifies commercial scales in Arizona?
State-run program: WMSD state inspectors license and test all commercial weighing and measuring devices and conduct retail/package inspections statewide; there are no county W&M programs. Scale owners contact WMSD at (602) 542-4373.
What does Arizona require of scale owners?
Under A.R.S. 3-3451 every commercial device (including scales) must be licensed by WMSD: submit a Device License Application/Placed-In-Service Report to get a Business Master File (BMF) number, pay per-device fees, and renew via the online system; devices must have an NTEP or CTEP Certificate of Conformance, and license changes must be reported within 7 days. WMSD also licenses the Registered Service Agencies/Representatives who install and certify devices.
What is NTEP certification?
NTEP certifies that a scale model meets NIST Handbook 44 standards for commercial use. An NTEP Certificate of Conformance is the standard requirement for legal-for-trade devices across the U.S.
Where do I find official forms and fees?
Use the licensing and forms links in the office panel, or contact the office directly — fee schedules change and some are published only in application documents.

Need calibration, repair, or installation in Arizona?

Send one request — ScaleRegistry routes it to qualified service providers for your state.

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