Texas RWM-780 Explained: Placing a Commercial Scale in Service in Texas
The Texas RWM-780 is the service report a TDA-licensed service company files when it places a commercial scale in service, and MNM Scales is TDA licensed, with registered technicians who place your scale in service and file the RWM-780.
Short answer: RWM-780 is the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Licensed Service Company Service Report for commercial weighing and measuring devices. When a licensed service company places a commercial scale into service, installs, calibrates or repairs it, or removes a TDA out-of-order tag or seal, the company submits an RWM-780 to TDA within 10 days. If you use a scale to buy or sell by weight in Texas, the work has to be done by a TDA-licensed service company and a registered service technician. MNM Scales is TDA licensed with registered technicians who can inspect your scales and place them in service.
If a TDA inspector has tagged your scale, you just opened a new store, or you replaced the scale at your shipping counter, you’ll hear about the RWM-780. Here’s what it is, when it’s needed, and how to get your scale placed in service in Texas without delays.
What is the RWM-780?
The RWM-780 is TDA’s Licensed Service Company Service Report, Commercial Weighing or Measuring Device. It documents work done on commercial devices such as scales, liquid measuring devices and LP gas meters. Under the Texas Administrative Code (Title 4, Chapter 12, Rule 12.42), a licensed service company must submit a service report within ten days of:
- placing a commercial weighing or measuring device into service;
- installing, calibrating or repairing a commercial weighing or measuring device; or
- removing an out-of-order tag, stop-sale order, security seal, lock, condemnation notice or other use prohibition placed by TDA.
TDA’s instructions say completed reports can be scanned and emailed to TDA or mailed to its Austin office. You can read more on TDA’s Licensed Service Company page.
When an RWM-780 applies (and when it doesn’t)
The form covers commercial devices. TDA defines a commercial transaction as using a weighing or measuring device in the purchase, sale, offer for purchase or sale, hire, award, barter or exchange of a commodity or service. TDA’s instructions note that the report is not required for non-commercial devices.
| Situation | Commercial device? | RWM-780 purpose |
|---|---|---|
| New store, new shipping counter or new deli scale used to price by weight | Yes | New Installation |
| Replacing a worn-out commercial scale with the same type | Yes | Replacement Device |
| Calibrating, repairing, or breaking and replacing a security seal | Yes | Service/Repair |
| TDA inspector placed the scale out of order | Yes | TDA Out-Of-Order Report |
| Lab balance, QC scale, reloading scale or general testing | Usually no (non-commercial) | Not required; a calibration certificate documents accuracy |
Step by step: getting a scale placed in service in Texas
- Choose a legal-for-trade scale. Commercial scales must meet NIST Handbook 44 and be suitable for the use and accuracy class. TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but a scale with one meets the Handbook 44 minimums and some scales do need one, so it is the dependable choice (see our NTEP legal-for-trade guide). Browse our NTEP legal-for-trade scales, or ask us to confirm a model before you buy. Our legal-for-trade scale checker shows the usual accuracy class for your use.
- Install it properly. Level, on a solid surface, at the location where it will be used, with the display visible to the customer where required.
- Have a registered service technician inspect, test and calibrate it. The technician checks the scale against certified test weights and the tolerances in NIST Handbook 44, then calibrates it if needed. To see the tolerance a scale must meet at a given test load, use our scale tolerance calculator.
- Seal it. The calibration is secured with an approved security seal so it can’t be changed without evidence.
- Service report. The licensed service company that did the work completes the RWM-780 with the facility, technician and device details (make, serial number, type and capacity) and submits it to TDA within 10 days. The business then registers the scale with TDA every year (see TDA scale certification in Texas).
- Keep it in tolerance. Check the scale regularly and schedule calibration. TDA field inspectors test commercial devices for accuracy.
How MNM Scales helps
MNM Scales is TDA licensed with registered service technicians. Our technicians can inspect your commercial scales, test and calibrate them, and place them in service across the Houston area and suburbs, with Dallas, Austin and San Antonio available on request. We also sell the NTEP legal-for-trade scale in the first place, and stock the indicators, load cells and parts to fix one that’s been tagged out of order.
- On-site service: $295 service call plus $2 per mile round trip in the Houston area. Our technicians bring their own test weights, so you don’t need to supply any. Same-day and emergency visits depend on availability, so call us first if a tagged scale has your line down.
- Calibration with certificate: in-house or NIST-traceable, priced by capacity (table below).
- Several scales or locations: ask for a combined quote and a recurring schedule.
- Scale rentals while yours is repaired.
Calibration 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) |
Details: scale calibration cost, in-house vs NIST-traceable certificates and how often to calibrate. Floor and crane scale owners: see our floor scale and crane scale guides.
Why Texas businesses choose MNM Scales
MNM Scales has been in business for over 30 years, is one of the largest scale distributors in the country and is an authorized dealer for the brands we sell. Grocery and deli counters, shipping stores, recyclers, gold buyers and warehouses rely on us for the scale, the calibration and the service visit. See all our scale services.
Need a scale placed in service in Texas? Tell us the scale make, model, capacity and location and we’ll schedule a registered technician.
Frequently asked questions
What is an RWM-780 in Texas?
RWM-780 is the Texas Department of Agriculture Licensed Service Company Service Report for commercial weighing or measuring devices. It documents placing a device into service, installation, calibration, repair or removal of a TDA use prohibition.
Who submits the RWM-780?
The TDA-licensed service company that performs the work submits the report, with its registered technician’s information and the device details, within 10 days of the service.
When is an RWM-780 required?
Within 10 days of placing a commercial weighing or measuring device into service, installing, calibrating or repairing it, or removing an out-of-order tag, security seal or other use prohibition placed by TDA.
Is an RWM-780 required for a lab or QC scale?
TDA’s instructions say the report is not required for non-commercial devices, meaning devices that are not used to buy, sell or exchange commodities or services by weight. A calibration certificate documents accuracy for those scales.
Can MNM Scales place my scale in service in Texas?
Yes. MNM Scales is TDA licensed with registered technicians who can inspect, test, calibrate and place commercial scales in service, on-site across the Houston area and on request in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, and our technicians bring their own test weights.
What scale do I need for legal-for-trade use in Texas?
A scale that meets NIST Handbook 44 and suits the application and accuracy class, installed correctly and placed in service by a registered service technician. TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but some scales do need one, so we recommend an NTEP model and can check yours.