Arkansas Scale Certification & Weights and Measures

Arkansas runs a state-managed weights and measures program — commercial scale owners deal with the state agency directly. If you operate a commercial scale in Arkansas — 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 Arkansas?

State-run: the Bureau of Standards is the only weights and measures regulatory agency in Arkansas; its state inspectors perform routine unannounced inspections of suppliers, retailers, and distributors statewide. Owners contact the Bureau's Little Rock office.

What Arkansas requires of scale owners

Arkansas publishes no device-registration requirement for scale owners; devices are subject to routine state inspection. Companies that install, repair, or test commercial scales and meters must register with the Bureau as service agencies (no fee, annually calibrated test equipment required) and file placed-in-service (Form 1822) and official annual field test reports; scale technicians must complete the Bureau's training module and obligation agreement.

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 Arkansas Department of Agriculture ((501) 570-1157 (registration, license, and administration); (501) 515-0799 (weights and measures); (501) 570-1154 (W&M supervisor Tim Chesser)) 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