Weights and Measures

Since January 1, 1999, all weighing and measuring devices sold and installed in Montana must have a National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Certificate of Conformance number. Additionally, all newly installed or repaired scales must be “placed in service” by the department or a registered repair agency and have the proper service report, completed by a registered repair agency, submitted to the Weights & Measures office prior to the issuance of a weighing device license and testing by the bureau.

The Weights and Measures Bureau responsibilities, mandated in Title 30, Chapter 12, and Title 82, Chapter 15, MCA, and implemented in the Administrative Rules of Montana, ARM 24.351.101 through 1117 include licensing, inspecting, testing, and certifying all weighing or measuring devices used in commercial transactions in the State of Montana.  Weights and Measures has adopted in part the 2023 editions of NIST Handbook 44 and NIST Handbook 130; see ARM for specific instances where Montana uses different standards. 
 

  • Main Office - Plan Review Support Staff
    Phone: (406) 841-2056
    Fax: (406) 841-2050
    Email: weightsandmeasures@mt.gov

    Physical Address:
    3806 Hwy 12 East - East Helena, MT 59635

    Mailing Address:
    PO Box 200516
    Helena, MT  59620-0516

    Brent Ricks, Program Manager
    Phone: (406) 202-2755
    Email: bricks@mt.gov

    Sam Osborne, Program Manager
    Phone: (406) 461-7997
    Email: samuel.osborne@mt.gov

    Dave Fraser - Metrologist & Metrology Lab
    Phone: (406) 461-4168
    Email: dafraser@mt.gov

  • The Department of Labor and Industry has highly qualified inspectors assigned geographically throughout the state that inspect scales and meters as required by Montana law. Below is a map showing inspector areas along with their contact information. If you are in need of a scale or meter inspection or have questions about required inspections please contact the inspector for the area your object is located. 

    Meter Testing Regions  Scale Testing Regions

  • The Montana Weights & Measures Bureau also operates an NIST recognized metrology lab located at 3806 Hwy 12 E., East Helena, MT. The lab is equipped to certify ASTM Class III echelon and class "F" weights for both the bureau's test standards and the standards used by registered repair agencies to calibrate scales. The metrology lab will also certify test weights used by private industry for their in-house weighing and calibration.
     
    The metrology lab is also equipped to handle volumetric testing of all types ranging from five gallon to 1000-gallon test measures and including standards used to calibrate LPG and NH3 meters.
     
    For more information, please call the Weights & Measures office (406) 461-4168.
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