New Hampshire Scale Certification & Weights and Measures

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

State model: the Division licenses and regulates ~20,000 commercial devices at 3,200+ businesses and audits devices, packages and pricing statewide; hands-on certification testing is performed by state-licensed private service technicians, with Division investigators auditing compliance. Owners deal with the Division in Concord and a licensed NH service technician.

What New Hampshire requires of scale owners

Under RSA 438 an owner must have each commercial device tested and certified by a licensed NH service technician (device gets an NH certification stamp), then submit the Initial Device License Application with the technician's Inspection Report to the Division and pay the license invoice; devices must be licensed annually thereafter.

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 New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food ((603) 271-3551 (department); (603) 271-2894 (device licensing questions)) 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