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 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 2, 2026 to April 17, 2026
Location: remote (self-study)

Field instruction:
Dates: April 27, 2026 to May 8, 2026
Location: Pembroke

Scaling Refresher Course schedule

Timmins scaling refresher course

  • Scale method: cube
  • Location: Timmins
  • Dates: April 1, 2026 to April 2, 2026

Thunder Bay scaling refresher course

  • Scale method: cube
  • Location: Thunder Bay
  • Dates: April 8, 2026 to April 9, 2026

Pembroke scaling refresher course

  • Scale method: cube, pine grading, cube grade
  • Location: Pembroke
  • Dates: April 14, 2026 to April 16, 2026

Scaler mobility

Scalers that are already certified, licensed or otherwise recognized formally as being able to practice in Canada can obtain an Ontario scaler’s licence without having to complete additional material training, experience, examinations, assessments or testing.

Reach out to one of the contacts if you are an out of province scaler that wishes to obtain an Ontario scaler’s licence.

Lumber grading

To become a lumber grader in Ontario contact the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board.

Contacts

  • Don Crawford     
    Email: don.crawford@ontario.ca     
    Telephone: 705-491-2817

    Supervisor - Great Lakes St. Lawrence Unit
    Ministry of Natural Resources
    Forest Industry Division
    280 Armstrong St. North
    New Liskeard, Ontario, P0J 1P0

  • 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