Nebraska Scale Certification & Weights and Measures

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

State-run: a staff of fifteen NDA Weights and Measures inspectors tests nearly 40,000 commercial weighing and measuring devices annually across Nebraska (grain, livestock, fuel, retail, packaging, etc.). Scale owners contact the NDA Weights and Measures Program at 402-471-3422 or agr.wam@nebraska.gov.

What Nebraska requires of scale owners

Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 89-187.01, anyone operating a weighing and measuring establishment must hold a valid NDA permit (one-time, per location, obtained before using any commercial device; update on change of location/ownership), and devices are subject to annual device registration renewal via NDA's online portal plus annual certification by state inspectors. Service agency/repair personnel registration exists but is voluntary; placed-in-service reports are sent to agr.wam@nebraska.gov.

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 Nebraska Department of Agriculture (402-471-3422) 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