Licensing
of Weighmasters
Bureau of Weights and Measures
The Bureau of Weights and Measures annually licenses about 3,000
individuals to certify the accuracy of shipments of bulk commodities
like feed and fertilizer. Weighmasters form an important net of
responsible citizens that facilitate the fair exchange of commodities
in the State. Any individual so licensed is charged to accurately
weigh bulk shipments of commodities and issue a certified weight
ticket for the shipment bearing their signature and license number.
The certified weight ticket provides assurance that the weight is
fair and accurate.
In particular, any company that sells coal, coke, feed for domestic
animals, fertilizer, or lime must provide the buyer with a certified
weight ticket issued by a licensed weighmaster. Any transporter
of those commodities, or of household goods being shipped by weight,
must have a certified weight ticket in his/her possession when on
the public highways. The law does not cover transportation involving
whole rail cars or ships.
Some companies that sell or transport other commodities may also
choose to employ weighmasters to certify weights and issue weight
tickets. The Bureau also licenses these individuals.
Many other states also license weighmasters. New York will recognize
the weight ticket issued by licensed weighmasters in other states
on a reciprocal basis. This is particularly helpful in interstate
moving of household belongings.
What are the Weighmaster Duties and Responsibilities
Based on Agriculture and Markets Law section 195:
- No person shall act as a weighmaster, issue or sign any weight
tickets, or carry out any of the functions of a weighmaster unless
licensed.
- Each weight ticket issued by a weighmaster shall contain the
date, full signature and license number of the weighmaster.
- Each weighmaster shall retain a copy of every weight ticket
issued for a period of one year.
- No weighmaster shall make or issue a false or incorrect weight
ticket, nor shall any person solicit him/her to do so. No person
shall knowingly use a false or incorrect weight ticket. No weighmaster
shall permit any weight ticket to be issued or used which purports
to bear his/her signature and was not in fact signed by him/her,
or expresses a weight not ascertained by him/her.
What are the Licensing Requirements?
Any person may apply for a weighmaster license. There is a $15
fee that must accompany your application. The fee will be returned
if your application is denied.
To qualify, the applicant shall provide evidence of:
- Good character;
- Ability to weigh accurately and make correct weight tickets;
- Access to a suitable stationary scale that has been tested and
certified by either a State or municipal weights and measures
official.
If you wish to apply, please contact the Bureau as indicated below
to get an application form or print the application and instructions
form on your printer. Complete the application and return it
to the address at the top with your check for $15 made payable to
the "Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets."
Need to find a Weighmaster near you?
Many weighmasters will weigh items for the public. For example,
they may weigh custom built trailers to provide unloaded weight
values needed to register the trailer with the Department of Motor
Vehicles. They may charge a fee for the service. For information
on the location of a licensed weighmaster near you, contact the
Bureau as indicated at the bottom of this page.
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Bureau of Weights and Measures
10B Airline Drive
Albany, New York 12235
(518) 457-3146
agmweigh@agriculture.ny.gov
Revised: 8/09/10
|