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.

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 5-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.

Northeast Region

Northwest Region

Southern Region

Course schedules

Provincial Scaling Course schedule

Online learning:
Dates: February 3, 2025 to April 18, 2025
Location: Remote (self-study)

Field instruction:
Dates: April 28, 2025 to May 9, 2025
Location: Pembroke, Ontario

Scaling Refresher Course schedule

Thunder Bay Scaling Refresher Course

  • Scale Method: Cube
  • Location: Thunder bay
  • Dates: April 2, 2025 to April 3, 2025

North Bay Scaling Refresher Course

  • Scale Method: Cube, Pine Grading, Cube Grade
  • Location: North Bay, Sturgeon Falls, Huntsville
  • Dates: April 8, 2025 to April 10, 2025

Timmins Scaling Refresher Course

  • Scale Method: Cube
  • Location: Timmins
  • Dates: April 16, 2025 to April 17, 2025

Contacts

  • Paul Elliott 
    Email: paul.a.elliott@ontario.ca 
    Telephone: 613-633-3324

    Supervisor - Great Lakes St. Lawrence Unit
    Ministry of Natural Resources
    Forest Industry Division
    31 Riverside Drive
    Pembroke, Ontario, K8A 8R6

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

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