Weights & Measures Licensing

Device License Requirements

Under A.R.S. § 3-3451 commercial devices installed and used in Arizona are required to be licensed by the Weights and Measures Services Division. A commercial device is defined under A.R.S. § 3-3401(13) as "any weighing, measuring, metering, or counting device that is used to determine the direct cost of things sold or offered or exposed for sale, or used to establish a fee for service if the cost is based on weight, measure, or count, except that it does not include those devices used for in-house packaging, inventory control, or law enforcement purposes." Common examples of commercial devices are:

• Scales
• Fuel Dispensers
• LPG Meters
• Retail Water Meters
• Timing Devices (e.g. laundromat dryer, car wash timer)
• Linear Measuring Devices (used to measure rope, chain fabric, etc.)

Note that the definition of a commercial device excludes devices used in certain applications. If you are unsure if your device meets the definition of a commercial device, please reference the flow chart below for guidance. You may also contact our office at (602) 542-4373 with questions about commercial devices and licensing requirements.

Commercial Device Flow Chart.png

New Devices

To obtain a device license, please submit a completed Device License Application/Placed-In-Service Report (PISR). You will be issued a Business Master File (BMF) number and billed for each licensed device once the PISR is reviewed and approved. Your BMF number is your Agency ID number.If you are obtaining a license in the name of an individual, you are also required to submit a Statement of Lawful Presence form. (A list of documents that are accepted as proof of lawful presence is provided on the form) 

License Changes

Changes to your device license must be reported to the Division within seven (7) days of the change. If you are transferring ownership of commercial devices or closing your business, please submit this notification using our Change of Ownership/Close of Business Form.

NOTE: All commercial devices (except for linear measuring and timing devices) must have a Certificate of Conformance issued by the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) or the California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP). To see if your device has been approved by NTEP or CTEP, please click on the links provided at the bottom of this page.