Become a licensed scaler

About scalers

A scaler measures wood products to determine the scale (volume) and quality (grade) of the wood in order to produce a “net volume” of saleable wood.

Training/requirements

To measure Crown forest resources in Ontario, scalers must be licensed and approved by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

To become a licenced and approved scaler, you must successfully complete:

• the Provincial Scaling Course
• on-the-job training
• a minimum of 3 consecutive check scales (independent assessments of the number of pieces, piles or loads done in the same form as the original measurement)

Licences are issued for a 3-year period. You must successfully complete a Scaling Refresher Course at least once during that period to maintain your approval to measure Crown forest resources.

Who is eligible

You could be eligible to take the Provincial Scaling Course if you:

• have math skills equivalent to grade 10
• are physically fit
• enjoy working outdoors (in mill yards or forest)

An interest/background in forestry and species identification is an asset.

About the course

The Provincial Scaling Course is normally held once a year (if minimum enrollment). The course involves online learning (self-study) and field instruction in wood product measurement, including:

• species identification
• grading
• measurement methods (e.g. cubic, stacked wood, tree length) and
• volume determination

Scaling Refresher Courses are held annually by region.

How to apply

To apply for the Provincial Scaling Course or the Scaling Refresher Course, contact the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

Northeast Region

• Telephone: 705-254-9996 / 807-626-3880

Northwest Region

• Telephone: 807-626-3880

Southern Region

• Telephone: 705-254-9996

Course schedule

Provincial Scaling Course schedule

Algonquin College, Pembroke

Online learning:
Dates: September 7, 2021 to October 8, 2021
Location: Remote (self-study)

Field instruction:
Dates: October 18, 2021 to October 29, 2021
Location: Pembroke, Ontario

Scaling Refresher Course schedule

Contacts

• Sarah Hall
  Email: halls@algonquincollege.com
  Telephone: 613-735-4700 - ext. 2751

  Chair - Business, Technology & Outdoor Training
  Algonquin College, Pembroke Waterfront Campus
  1 College Way, Pembroke, ON, K8A 0C8

• Chris Clowater
  Email: christopher.clowater@ontario.ca
  Telephone: 705-254-9996

  Supervisor - Great Lakes St. Lawrence
  Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
  Forest Industry Division
  70 Foster Drive, Suite 400
  Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A 6V5

• Nick Dryhorub
  Email: nick.dryhorub@ontario.ca
  Telephone: 807-626-3880

  Supervisor - Boreal
  Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
  Forest Industry Division
  435 James St. South
  Suite 221B
  Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 6S7