Pennsylvania uses a combined model: PDA inspectors cover most of the state, while county sealer programs cover their own counties (PDA's current regional map lists 9). If you operate a commercial scale in Pennsylvania — 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 Pennsylvania?
Hybrid: PDA's Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards performs the required annual device inspections in most of Pennsylvania, while county sealer programs inspect devices in their own counties. PDA's current regional map (Aug 2026) lists 9 county sealer programs: Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Centre, Cumberland, Delaware, Northampton and Westmoreland. Its older (pre-June-2020) inspection search also names Greene, Montour, Sullivan, York and the City of Scranton; Greene, Montour and York now say the state covers them, and Sullivan County and the City of Scranton publish no weights and measures office. PDA covers everywhere else. The Pennsylvania county/city finder shows what each of these jurisdictions’ own government publishes. Public inspection lookup: pairs.pa.gov/pairs-weights/Home/Search.
What Pennsylvania requires of scale owners
Commercial devices must pass the required annual inspection, and anyone who sells, installs, or repairs commercial weighing/measuring devices must be registered with the Department (3-year registration with annually certified test equipment).
Getting a scale into service — 4 steps
- Buy a legal-for-trade (NTEP-certified) scale appropriate for your application and capacity.
- Confirm your jurisdiction — use the Pennsylvania county/city finder to see whether PDA or a county sealer program inspects your location; if unsure, call the state program at (717) 787-9089.
- 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
What is NTEP certification?
Where do I find official forms and fees?
Need calibration, repair, or installation in Pennsylvania?
Browse companies listed as serving Pennsylvania in the ScaleRegistry directory and contact them directly, and check the official licensing and registration information for Pennsylvania. Listings are not ranked or endorsed, and ScaleRegistry does not route requests to any company.