Volume 1 - Resource Management
Chapter 13 - Revenue - Scaling

Policy 13.4 - Licensing and Administration of Scalers

Effective Date: 01-Apr-93
Updated: 15-Oct-97
Responsible Branch: Revenue Branch

Resource Management Volume Table of Contents | Amendment Log

Scope

This policy covers the licensing and administration of individuals scaling timber under the Forest Act.

Policy

The Ministry will license and administer scaling activities.

Scaling Licence

Scaling licences may be issued by the Chief Forester following successful completion of a practical and written examination conducted by scaling examiners appointed by the Chief Forester (Scaling Regulation, s.18, 19).

Scaling Board of Examiners

A Board of Examiners appointed by the Chief Forester will set all scaling examination standards and ensure examinations are conducted fairly and consistently throughout the province. Anyone conducting scaling examinations must be appointed by the Chief Forester as a scaling examiner (Forest Act, s.94).

Scaler's Oath

Scalers are required to take the Scaler's Oath before their first authorization to scale.

Authorization and Appointment of Scalers

Anyone scaling timber cut on Crown or private land must be appointed and/or authorized in accordance with the Forest Act.

Authorizations to scale may carry conditions, will be limited to the jurisdiction of the issuing officer, and are limited in duration as follows:

  • Official Scaler - up to five years
  • Licensed Scaler - up to two years
  • Acting Scaler - up to one year

Scaler File

Following authorization to scale, the district or region must establish a file on each scaler and maintain records for each scaler on the Scale and Administration and Control System (SCS). Records must include pertinent information concerning the scaler's performance, authorizations, appointments, applications, and related correspondence.

Official Scaler Appointments

The regional or district scaling manager may appoint an individual as an Official Scaler if that individual holds the required licences, has applicable experience, consistently demonstrates scaling competency, and complies with scaling requirements ( Forest Act, s.100).

Minimum experience will be five years on the coast and three years in the interior, with at least six months scaling activity in the previous twelve months.

Collection of Fees

The licence and fee schedule is as follows (Scaling Regulation, s.19.1, 19.2):

  • appointment as an acting scaler - $100
  • scaling licence examination - $50 per exam
  • cost of Scaling Manual - $20

Fees are subject to revision.

Fee Exemptions

The scaling licence examination fee will not apply if the applicant:

  • is a Forest Service employee
  • holds an acting scaler appointment and has paid the $100 appointment fee
  • holds a scaling licence and is taking an upgrading exam or is being re-examined under the Forest Act, s.101.

The Acting Scaler appointment fee may be waived if the volume scaled under the appointment will not exceed 300 m3 in a 12-month period.

Suspensions and Cancellations

A Regional Manager or District Manager may suspend a scaling licence for a set period if the licence holder fails to comply with the Scaling Regulation or the authorization to scale. Suspension of the licence terminates all authorizations to scale in the province. Anyone subject to suspension will be given the opportunity to be heard before the Regional or District Manager (Forest Act, s.102).

The Chief Forester may cancel a scaling licence after serving notice of intent and giving the licensed scaler an opportunity for a hearing.

References