Become a licensed scaler
How to get a job as a licensed scaler in Ontario.
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 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.
Northeast Region
- Telephone:
705-491-2817 /807-626-3880
Northwest Region
- Telephone:
807-626-3880
Southern Region
- Telephone:
705-491-2817
Course schedules
Provincial Scaling Course schedule
Online learning:
Dates: February 5, 2024 to April 19, 2024
Location: Remote (self-study)
Field instruction:
Dates: April 29, 2024 to May 10, 2024
Location: Pembroke, Ontario
Scaling Refresher Course schedule
Timmins Scaling Refresher Course
- Scale Method: Cube
- Location: Timmins
- Dates: April 10, 2024 to April 11, 2024
Pembroke Scaling Refresher Course - (Cancelled)
Thunder Bay Scaling Refresher Course
- Scale Method: Cube
- Location: Thunder Bay
- Dates: April 3, 2024 to April 4, 2024
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
200 Armstrong Street
New Liskeard, Ontario, P0J 1P0Nick 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