New Jersey Scale Certification & Weights and Measures

New Jersey uses a combined model: state inspectors cover much of the state, while county or city sealers handle inspections in their own jurisdictions. If you operate a commercial scale in New Jersey — 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 Jersey?

Hybrid system: the State Office of Weights and Measures plus 21 county W&M offices and 11 municipal W&M offices (Newark, Trenton, Camden, Elizabeth, East Orange, etc.) all field credentialed inspectors; county/municipal offices perform routine annual device testing while the State OWM handles large-capacity devices, metrology, licensing and device registration. Owners contact their county/municipal OWM for inspections (phone list on the state OWM sticker-search portal) and the State OWM for registration.

What New Jersey requires of scale owners

By statute, all commercially used weighing and measuring devices must be tested/inspected and registered at least once a year; the State OWM maintains the device database and mails annual registration renewals. Persons who install or repair weighing/measuring devices must hold a state repairer license, and device dealers/sellers are also licensed by the State OWM.

Getting a scale into service — 4 steps

1. Buy a legal-for-trade (NTEP-certified) scale appropriate for your application and capacity.
2. Confirm your jurisdiction — call the state program (732-815-7800 (main); 732-815-7816 (Enforcement Section)) to learn whether a state inspector or your county/city sealer covers your location.
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