When weight becomes a transaction—when a number on a display turns into a dollar value—you need more than precision. You need compliance. NTEP Certified scales, also known as legal-for-trade scales, are the only weighing devices approved for commercial use in the United States. Whether you’re packaging food, pricing produce, shipping freight, or selling metal by the pound, that little NTEP badge keeps your operation both honest and legal.
In this guide, we’ll unpack what NTEP certification means, where it’s required, and how to choose the right certified scale for your business. You’ll learn what features to prioritize for your environment, what documentation matters during inspections, and why “legal for trade” doesn’t mean “one-size-fits-all.”
NTEP = Legal for trade: Required for any scale used to buy, sell, or charge by weight.
Look for the Certificate of Conformance (CC#): Proof that your model meets NIST Handbook 44 standards.
Match capacity to application: Retail, shipping, industrial, and medical uses all have different needs.
Install and calibrate properly: Certification is only valid when the scale is installed and sealed by an authorized technician.
Keep it maintained: Routine testing and documentation keep you compliant and audit-ready.
NTEP stands for National Type Evaluation Program, a testing and certification process managed by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). It ensures that weighing devices meet strict standards for accuracy, repeatability, and construction as outlined in NIST Handbook 44.
When a scale passes evaluation, it receives a Certificate of Conformance (CC#), marking it as “legal for trade.” That means it can be used anywhere weight directly affects the price of goods or services.
All NTEP Certified Scales sold by Hogentogler are fully compliant and approved for commercial transactions—backed by documentation that satisfies both federal and state inspection agencies.
If you buy, sell, or invoice based on weight, you’re legally required to use an NTEP Certified scale.
Common use cases include:
Retail and grocery – pricing produce, meat, or bulk goods.
Shipping and logistics – determining freight costs.
Manufacturing and packaging – selling raw materials or finished products by weight.
Pharmacy and medical – compounding or dosage verification where weight is part of sale or billing.
Scrap and recycling – trading metal or materials by pound or kilogram.
For internal QC, research, or process control (where weight doesn’t affect price), a non-certified industrial or lab scale may suffice.
Every legal-for-trade scale should display:
The NTEP CC# (Certificate of Conformance number).
The accuracy class (e.g., Class III for general retail/industrial).
The maximum number of divisions (the scale’s precision limit).
A visible security seal or calibration mark from an authorized service provider.
You can verify certification by searching the CC# in the NCWM database—a useful check when purchasing or renewing older equipment.
Scales are grouped by accuracy class, which determines where and how they can be used:
Class II: High-precision (jewelry, laboratory, or pharmaceutical).
Class III: General purpose (grocery, shipping, industrial).
Class IIIL: Larger capacity (vehicle and floor scales).
Each class has a limit on the number of divisions—the smallest unit of measurement that can be legally recognized. A Class III scale might have up to 10,000 divisions, balancing accuracy with durability.
If your operation needs both precision and portability, you can find compact Class III NTEP-certified bench and counting scales in Hogentogler’s catalog that meet legal standards without sacrificing usability.
Certification isn’t complete until the scale is installed, tested, and sealed by an authorized technician.
Initial setup: Must be done according to NIST Handbook 44 requirements.
Calibration: Verified with certified test weights under local conditions.
Sealing: Prevents unauthorized adjustments; inspectors check for broken or missing seals during audits.
Re-certification: Required after relocation, repair, or calibration drift.
Without a valid seal, even an NTEP-approved model can fail inspection.
A legal-for-trade scale still has to survive its environment:
Retail counters: Compact footprint, bright display, and easy-clean surfaces.
Industrial floors: Rugged build, overload protection, and high-capacity load cells.
Outdoor or washdown areas: IP-rated enclosures to resist water and dust.
Mobile setups: Battery operation with quick re-leveling features.
Stainless-steel construction and hermetically sealed load cells are ideal for wet or dusty environments where compliance meets heavy use.
Modern NTEP scales can do more than weigh—they integrate with your digital systems.
Interfaces: RS-232, USB, Ethernet, or Bluetooth for POS or labeling systems.
Label printing: Many scales print weight, unit price, total, and transaction ID automatically.
Software integration: Direct connection to retail or ERP systems for traceable sales data.
Keeping digital records helps with audits and streamlines reporting to weights and measures officials.
Even certified scales drift over time. Maintaining compliance means staying proactive:
Schedule annual or semiannual calibration with a licensed service provider.
Keep records of maintenance, testing, and certification.
Inspect for seal integrity—a broken seal can invalidate certification.
Store your NTEP Certificate of Conformance where inspectors can easily access it.
Consistent documentation protects your business from fines and ensures every transaction stands up to scrutiny.
NTEP Certificate of Conformance (CC# listed)
Accuracy Class (II, III, or IIIL)
Capacity and readability matched to application
Legal seal / tamper-evident calibration mark
Approved installation by licensed technician
IP rating for environment (washdown, dust, outdoor)
Connectivity (RS-232, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth)
Compatible printer or POS system
Calibration and verification plan
What happens if I use a non-certified scale for commercial weighing?
You risk fines, legal action, or rejected inspections. Any sale based on weight from a non-NTEP scale can be deemed invalid.
Does every state require NTEP certification?
Yes. All U.S. states adopt NIST Handbook 44 standards, though inspection frequency and enforcement vary by jurisdiction.
Is NTEP certification the same as calibration?
No. Certification ensures the model type meets standards; calibration ensures your individual unit remains accurate in use. Both are required for compliance.
How often should I have my legal-for-trade scale tested?
At least annually—or more often if it’s relocated, repaired, or used heavily in high-volume transactions.
Can portable or bench scales be NTEP certified?
Absolutely. Many portable, bench, and counting scales are NTEP-approved when built to Class III specifications and properly sealed.
NTEP Certified Scales — https://www.hogentogler.com/legal-for-trade/ntep-certified-scales.asp
Counting Scales — https://www.hogentogler.com/industrial-scales/counting-scales.asp
Bench Scales — https://www.hogentogler.com/industrial-scales/bench-scales.asp