Frequently Asked Questions

I filled up at the gas station yesterday and put 15 gallons of gas in my tank. However...

I filled up at the gas station yesterday and put 15 gallons of gas in my tank. However, when I got to the station, my fuel gauge still was on 1/4 of a tank and my owner's manual says the tank only holds 16 gallons. How can this be? Or, I bought a new gas can the other day at the local hardware store. It's supposed to be a five gallon can but I got 5 ½ gallons in it. I think the pump must be off.

The requirements may be found in the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM):

     ARM 24.351.101 - 24.351.1121

Yes, call the metrology lab at (406) 461-4168 for an appointment.

The requirements may be found in the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM):

     ARM 24.351.101 - 24.351.1121

Pass the appropriate NCWM RSA certification exam. Send that, along with an application, to P.O. Box 200516, Helena, MT 59620.

To sign up for a class or schedule a test:
Email weightsandmeasures@mt.gov or call (406) 439-4193

Do you accept certifications from other states that technicians have passed and certified?

Yes, please refer to 24.351.1117 ARM Registration by Reciprocity.

Yes, the annual fee is $25 for the agency (company) and $25 for each technician. The registration expires December 31st, and the fees can be paid by check, cash, or credit card.

You will fill out the registration forms after you pass the test. You must also provide certification done within the past two years at any NIST lab for all standards that will or may be used in Montana.

Registration Forms & Information

Does your state require a special security/tamper proof seal to be placed after calibration?

Yes, a plastic or wire tamper resistant seal must be placed on the device after it is calibrated and it must have your assigned registration number on it. A sticker is acceptable for devices which cannot be “sealed” (30 pound scanner scales, for example). Your sticker must identify you, your company, and the date of service.

Yes, all devices placed into service for the first time in Montana and manufactured after January 1, 1999 must have an active certificate of conformance.

Certificate Search

You must apply a company sticker identifying the technician, company, and date of service.

Is there a pre-notification to the state on when we will be placing the new scale/ systems into service?

No.

A placed in service form must be submitted (or post marked) within five working days of the service date for all scales and meters. A test report is required for any scale with a capacity of 8,000 or more pounds. We can furnish you with the placed in service form or you can develop your own. If you use an alternate form, you must have it approved by us prior to use. You can submit them by email, fax or mail for approval.

Placed in service forms

Mailing Address:
Weights and Measures Bureau
PO Box 200516
Helena, MT  59620-0516

Email: weightsandmeasures@mt.gov
Fax: (406) 841-2050

Montana law requires all standards and equipment be calibrated/certified at least every two years.

If our standards or equipment are certified at another state lab can they be used in Montana?

We accept certificates of calibration from any NIST recognized laboratory. You must provide copies of the certificates when you register.

Yes, a certificate of registration can be revoked for good cause, including but not be limited to:

(a) taking unfair advantage of an owner of a device;
(b) failure to have test equipment or standards certified;
(c) failure to use adequate testing equipment;
(d) continued failure to submit, or to submit in a timely manner, properly completed placed-in service reports for new installations or repair of existing devices;
(e) failure to adjust commercial or law enforcement devices to comply with the regulations adopted by the bureau;
(f) nonpayment of calibration or registration fees; or
(g) continued failure to properly seal devices.

The type of scale required is a type SA or S1; 0-30 pounds.

You must get a scale license from the Department of Revenue. A registered service provider or State Weights & Measures inspector must place the scale ‘in service’ before it is legal to use the scale for commercial sales. If repairs are needed, you must contact a registered repair person to perform them.

Information and forms are available on our license webpage

eStop Application

Yes, all devices placed into service for the first time must have an active certificate of conformance. You can search for a certificate using the link below:

Conformance Certificate Search

All scales require certification annually by passing an annual inspection. Inspectors will schedule an annual inspection with you when they are in your area.