Florida runs a state-managed weights and measures program — commercial scale owners deal with the state agency directly. If you operate a commercial scale in Florida — 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 Florida?
State-run: FDACS monitors the accuracy of all commercial weighing and measuring devices statewide. There is no county sealer system.
What Florida requires of scale owners
Per Sections 531.60–531.66, Florida Statutes, users of commercial weighing/measuring devices must obtain an FDACS device permit before using devices in commerce (apply at consumercompliance.fdacs.gov).
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
- Buy a legal-for-trade (NTEP-certified) scale appropriate for your application and capacity.
- Confirm registration and licensing requirements with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (1-800-435-7352) before the scale enters commercial use.
- Arrange compliant installation and calibration. Where required, placing-in-service must be done by a licensed or registered service company.
- Stay compliant. Pass required inspections, keep calibration current, retain service records.
Common questions
Who certifies commercial scales in Florida?
State-run: FDACS monitors the accuracy of all commercial weighing and measuring devices statewide. There is no county sealer system.
What does Florida require of scale owners?
Per Sections 531.60–531.66, Florida Statutes, users of commercial weighing/measuring devices must obtain an FDACS device permit before using devices in commerce (apply at consumercompliance.fdacs.gov).
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 Florida?
Send one request — ScaleRegistry routes it to qualified service providers for your state.