Weights and Measures Licensing Requirements
If you are going to use your scale or meter commercially, then you may need a license.
If you own a scale and buy, sell, or trade it is likely that Oregon law requires the scale to be licensed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).
Commercial scales
Oregon law requires the scale to be licensed in the following cases:
- It measures product in mass units
- It is used to value a product when ownership is transferred from seller to buyer
Commercial scales must be licensed regardless of the application. Mass flow meters used to weigh product are considered commercial scales.
Shipping scales
If a parcel must be weighed as a part of a transaction then the scale used must be a licensed commercial scale even if the parcel weight is not directly used to determine price.
Commercial meters
Commercial meters are used to measure in volume units instead of weight.
- Oregon law requires the meter to be licensed if it is used to meter fuel in a commercial transaction.
- Commercial meters of all types must conform to the legal requirements set forth in ORS 646 and OAR 603-027, however only those used to sell fuel are required to be licensed.
Licensing
Commercial measuring devices must conform to the requirements in ORS 646 and OAR 603-027 in order to be licensed by ODA.
Requirements include the following:
- A valid National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Certificate of Conformance (COC)
- Proper installation and adjustment
- Meeting specifications and tolerances found in NIST Handbook 44
Licensing process
- Placed in service report (PISR) is completed and returned to the ODA Weights and Measures Program along with your application and fee(s).
- Once license fees are received by ODA it will be legal for you to use your device(s).
- When an ODA Weights and Measures investigator is in your area, he will inspect and test the newly installed device to verify that it meets all of the requirements.
Service companies
You may purchase a scale or meter through a service company or hire a service company to install, repair, and assist in the licensing process.
License renewal
All licenses are issued with each fiscal year beginning on July 1 and expiring on June 30 of the following year. Licenses and fees cannot be prorated. Licensing fees for the next fiscal are collected beginning on May 15.
Resources
Online Renewal Website
(NOTE: Online renewals are closed for Weights and Measures licenses. Please renew your license via mail or secure fax.)
Checks (license renewals and invoices):
Oregon Deparment of Agriculture
PO Box 4395, Unit 17
Portland OR 97208-4395
Credit Card Authorizations (license renewals):
Fax: 503-986-4746
Oregon Deparment of Agriculture
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Invoices:
ODA invoices (other than license renewals) may still be paid online. ODA invoices are identified by "AR" and a 6 digit number located in the top right portion of the form, i.e. AR000000.
(use this link to pay invoices)
License Application Forms
Small Scale Placed in Service Report Forms
Placed in service report form — small scales (< 1,160 lb capacity))
Please use this form for all small scales excluding cannabis. Scales 0-1,160 lbs. Placed in service - small scales
Placed in Service Report Form — Small Scales (Cannabis < 1,160 lb (526 kg) capacity)
A small scale placed in service report form for scales used for cannabis. Placed in Service - Cannabis
Placed in Service Report Form - Small Scales (Hemp < 1,160 lb capacity)
A small scale placed in service report form for scales used for hemp. Placed in service - Hemp
Placed in Service Report Form - Small Scales (Psilocybin < 1,160 lb capacity)
A small scale placed in service report form for scales used for psilocybin. Placed In Service Psilocybin
Placed in Service Report Forms for Large Scales
Placed in Service Report Forms for Meters
Includes motor fuel dispensers.
National Type Evaluation Program Information
National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Informational Handout
NTEP handout