What Is NTEP? A Guide to NTEP Certified, Legal-for-Trade Scales (Classes, CCs and Placing in Service)
Shop NTEP certified scales: the Brecknell PS-USB-150 NTEP shipping scale, on sale for $518.00 (regular $767.00), in stock — or browse the full NTEP category.
Short answer: an NTEP certified scale is a model that passed type evaluation under the National Type Evaluation Program, run by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), and received a Certificate of Conformance (CC) showing it meets NIST Handbook 44. If you sell, buy or charge for anything by weight (deli, produce, shipping charges, gold, scrap, livestock), you need an NTEP approved scale of the right accuracy class, installed and placed in service by a registered technician. In Texas, TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must still meet NIST Handbook 44, and a device with a certificate meets those minimums; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models (see TDA’s legal-for-trade guidance). For lab work, QC and general testing, we recommend NTEP models as well, so the same scale is ready if it is ever used for trade.
“Legal for trade”, “NTEP approved”, “NTEP certified” and “Class II” all show up on scale listings, and the differences matter when an inspector tests your scale. This guide explains what NTEP means, how to read a Certificate of Conformance, which accuracy class fits your business, and how to get a legal-for-trade scale placed in service.
What does NTEP mean?
NTEP stands for the National Type Evaluation Program. The program is administered by the NCWM. Manufacturers submit a model to an NTEP laboratory, which tests it against NIST Handbook 44, the national code of specifications and tolerances for commercial weighing and measuring devices. Models that pass receive a Certificate of Conformance with a number (for example, CC 04-019 for the A&D EK-i series).
NTEP evaluates the type (the model design), not each individual scale. Each scale used in commerce still has to be installed correctly, calibrated and placed in service, and it’s inspected in the field by state weights and measures officials.
NTEP approved, NTEP certified, legal for trade: same thing?
In everyday use, yes. “NTEP approved”, “NTEP certified” and “legal for trade” all describe a scale whose model holds an NTEP Certificate of Conformance and is set up in its approved configuration. Look for the CC number and accuracy class on the scale’s data plate and in the product specifications.
Accuracy classes: which one do you need?
Handbook 44 sorts commercial scales into accuracy classes, based mainly on the number of verification divisions (n), which is capacity divided by the verification division (e).
| Class | Typical number of divisions (n) | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| I | 50,000 and up | Precision laboratory weighing |
| II | Up to 100,000 | Precious metals and gems, laboratory weighing, prescription weighing |
| III | Up to 10,000 | Most commercial weighing: retail and deli, shipping and postal, bench and floor scales, animal scales |
| III L | 2,000 to 10,000 | Vehicle, livestock, railway track, crane and hopper scales |
| IIII | 100 to 1,200 | Wheel-load weighers and portable axle-load weighers for highway enforcement |
Buying or selling precious metals by weight? Choose a Class II model such as the A&D EK-1200i (1200 g × 0.1 g, CC 04-019), the A&D FX-200iN or the A&D FX-300iN. For shipping charges and retail counters, a Class III scale such as the Brecknell PS-USB-150 (150 lb × 0.05 lb, NTEP) fits. For side-by-side Class II picks from 122 g to 12 kg, see our legal for trade jewelry scale guide.
d vs e: why a 0.001 g balance can be legal at 0.01 g
Many legal-for-trade balances show two values. d is the displayed division, the smallest step the display shows. e is the verification division used for legal-for-trade testing and tolerances. On the A&D FX-i series NTEP certificate (CC 08-045), for example, the FX-300iN has d = 0.001 g and e = 0.01 g. In trade, the 0.01 g value is the one that counts. When you compare legal-for-trade scales, compare e, not just d. Our FX-120i vs FX-120iN vs FX-300i comparison shows how the e = 10d and e = d modes work on the FX-iN series. To see how e sets the allowed error at a given test load, try our scale tolerance calculator, which applies the Handbook 44 Table 6 maintenance and acceptance tolerances.
How to read a Certificate of Conformance
- CC number and models covered. One certificate often covers a whole series, with a table of models, capacities, nmax, e and class.
- Accuracy class for each model or configuration.
- Approved features. Units, tare, and which features are not legal for trade (counting is a common one and is labeled on the scale).
- Sealing. How the calibration is secured, such as a wire seal through the calibration switch cover.
- Temperature range and any special conditions of use.
You can search certificates on the NCWM website. Need help confirming a model’s CC before you buy? Ask us; we’re an authorized dealer for the brands we sell.
Who needs an NTEP scale?
- Grocery, deli, produce and bulk food counters that price by weight.
- Shipping stores and businesses that charge customers for shipping by weight.
- Gold buyers, jewelers, pawn shops and coin dealers buying or selling by weight (Class II).
- Recyclers and scrap yards, feed and seed, agriculture and livestock sales.
- Cannabis and dispensary operations, where state programs typically require legal-for-trade scales (see our best scale for cannabis dispensaries guide).
- Food and product packers that print a net weight on the label (see our checkweigher scale guide).
- Any business where the weight sets the price.
For labs, QC benches, schools, reloaders and general shipping prep, TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but some scales do need one; we recommend NTEP models here too, so the scale is ready if it is ever used for trade. Many customers also choose NTEP models for the build quality and the documentation.
Getting a legal-for-trade scale placed in service
- Buy an NTEP scale of the right class and capacity for your application.
- Install it level, on a solid surface, where it will be used.
- Have a registered service technician test, calibrate and seal it. In Texas, the licensed service company reports the work to TDA on an RWM-780. Read our RWM-780 guide. To see what applies to your scale in Texas, try our legal-for-trade scale checker.
- Keep it in tolerance with regular checks and scheduled calibration.
MNM Scales is TDA licensed with registered technicians who can inspect, calibrate and place legal-for-trade scales in service across the Houston area, with Dallas, Austin and San Antonio on request. On-site service is a $295 service call plus $2 per mile round trip, and our technicians bring their own test weights.
Popular NTEP legal-for-trade scales at MNM Scales
- A&D EK-1200i, 1200 g × 0.1 g, Class II: gold, jewelry and pawn counters
- A&D FX-200iN and A&D FX-300iN: Class II precision balances
- Brecknell PS-USB-150, 150 lb × 0.05 lb: NTEP shipping scale with USB and RS-232
- MNM Scales AHS-60 hanging scale, 60 lb × 0.05 lb, NTEP: agriculture, produce and recycling
- MNM Scales Echelon EH 48″ × 48″ floor scale, 5,000 × 1 lb, NTEP: pallets, recycling and warehouses
Browse all NTEP legal-for-trade scales or NTEP precision balances. Need one for a shipping, parts or packing bench? See our NTEP bench scales; our general bench scales category also lists non-NTEP models for in-house use. Weighing pallets, drums or totes that are sold by weight? See our NTEP stainless steel floor scales. MNM Scales has been in business for over 30 years, is one of the largest scale distributors in the country and carries the largest selection of NTEP scales in every category.
NTEP certified scales we stock
Looking for NTEP scales by type? Each model below is an NTEP certified scale listed with its NTEP approval on its product page, so it can be placed in service for legal-for-trade use. Pick the type that matches how you sell by weight, then check the capacity and division against your heaviest and lightest loads.
| Type | NTEP scales | Capacity × division | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crane and hanging | MNM Scales AHS-60 NTEP hanging scale; crane and hanging scales | 60 lb × 0.05 lb (AHS-60) | Produce, seafood, recycling, hanging loads sold by weight |
| Shipping | Brecknell PS-USB-150 NTEP shipping scale | 150 lb × 0.05 lb | Parcel counters and shipping charges |
| Price computing | Torrey L-PC-40L NTEP price computing scale | 40 lb × 0.01 lb | Produce stands, meat and deli counters |
| Label printing | Torrey W-Label NTEP label printing scale | 40 lb × 0.01 lb | Prepacked deli, meat and bulk foods with printed price labels |
| Bench and floor | MNM Scales Echelon EH 48″ × 48″ NTEP floor scale; NTEP floor scales; NTEP bench scales | 5,000 lb × 1 lb (Echelon EH) | Pallets, drums, totes, recycling and packing benches |
| Balances | A&D FX-120iN; A&D FX-200iN; A&D EK-1200i; NTEP precision balances | 122 g × 0.001 g; 220 g × 0.001 g; 1200 g × 0.1 g | Gold, jewelry, gems and other high-value items sold by weight |
Not sure which NTEP scale fits? Send us your item, weight range and how you sell it or call (832) 290-3120, and we will match you with an NTEP certified model and the right accuracy class.
Calibration for NTEP scales
Add calibration to your order so the scale arrives calibrated with a certificate, then have it placed in service on site. Prices by capacity:
| Maximum capacity | In-house calibration with certificate | NIST calibration with NIST-traceable certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2.2 kg (about 5 lb) | $95 (add to cart) | $395 (add to cart) |
| Over 2.2 to 6.2 kg | $195 (add to cart) | $495 (add to cart) |
| Over 6.2 to 35 kg (about 14 to 77 lb) | $250 (add to cart) | $595 (add to cart) |
| Over 35 to 150 kg (about 77 to 330 lb) | $350 (add to cart) | $750 (add to cart) |
| Over 150 kg (floor and large platform scales) | $495 (add to cart) | $995 (add to cart) |
More: how often to calibrate and in-house vs NIST-traceable certificates.
Not sure which NTEP class you need? Tell us what you weigh and how you sell it, and we will match you with the right NTEP certified scale.
Frequently asked questions
What does NTEP certified mean for a scale?
It means the scale’s model passed type evaluation under the National Type Evaluation Program, administered by the NCWM, and holds a Certificate of Conformance showing it meets NIST Handbook 44 for commercial use.
Do I need an NTEP scale?
You need an NTEP approved scale when weight determines a price or charge, such as retail and deli counters, shipping charges, precious metals, recycling and livestock sales. In Texas, TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must still meet NIST Handbook 44, and a device with a certificate meets those minimums; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models. For labs, QC and general testing, NTEP models are our recommendation as well, so the scale is ready the day it is used to price or charge by weight.
What is the difference between Class II and Class III scales?
Class II scales have up to 100,000 verification divisions and are used for precious metals, gems and laboratory weighing. Class III scales have up to 10,000 divisions and cover most commercial weighing, including retail, shipping, bench and floor scales.
What is the difference between d and e on a scale?
d is the displayed division, the smallest step shown. e is the verification division used for legal-for-trade tolerances. For example, the A&D FX-300iN displays 0.001 g with e = 0.01 g.
Is an NTEP scale legal for trade right out of the box?
The model is approved, but each commercial scale must be installed, calibrated and placed in service by a registered service technician, and it is subject to inspection by state weights and measures officials.
Which scale is legal for trade for gold and jewelry?
Use an NTEP Class II scale such as the A&D EK-1200i (1200 g x 0.1 g, CC 04-019), the A&D FX-200iN or the A&D FX-300iN.
Which NTEP certified scales does MNM Scales stock?
We stock NTEP scales in these types: crane and hanging scales such as the AHS-60, shipping scales such as the Brecknell PS-USB-150, the Torrey L-PC-40L price computing scale, the Torrey W-Label label printing scale, NTEP bench and floor scales such as the Echelon EH, and Class II balances such as the A&D FX-120iN, FX-200iN and EK-1200i.
How can I check that a scale is NTEP certified?
Find the Certificate of Conformance number on the product listing or the scale’s identification plate, then look it up in the NCWM NTEP certificate database and confirm that the model, accuracy class, capacity and division on the certificate match your scale.