Table 2. OWM Training requirements 

Recognition Level Training Required For Whom How Often 

All Measurement 

Parameters 

Regional Measurement Assurance Program 

(RMAP)Training 

At least one staff 

member; and 

All staff are 

recommended when 

training is conducted 

virtually or when lab 

is the local host for the 

training where no outof-state travel is 

required. 

Annually 

Legal Metrology 

Limited: 

i

Conditional 

Recognition. iiConditional 

Approved 

Signatory Waiver. 

1. Fundamentals of Metrology (1 week 

laboratory seminar) 

2. Introduction and Orientation to Mass and 

Volume Procedures (SOP 8, SOP 19)iii 

3. Fundamentals of Metrology, Laboratory 

Auditing Program (LAP) problems 

4. Successful completion of proficiency 

testing 

Usually all staff, at 

least one staff member 

Once Initially 

Refresher 

portions 

covered during 

Regional 

Measurement 

Assurance 

Program 

(RMAP) 

training 

Mass Calibration 

Echelon III and II 

1. All of the above, plus: 

2. Mass Seminar (2 week seminar) 

3. Successful completion of proficiency 

testing for each area on the laboratory 

Scope 

Usually all staff, 

at least one staff 

member 

Once Initially 

Refresher 

recommended 

every 10 years 

Advanced Mass 

Calibration, 

Echelon I 

1. All of the above, plus: 

2. Advanced Mass Seminar (2 week 

seminar) 

3. Successful completion of proficiency 

testing using weighing designs 

4. Advanced Laboratory Auditing Program 

(LAP) problems 

At least one staff 

member 

Once Initially 

Refresher 

recommended 

every 10 years 

Volume 

Calibration, 

Echelon I and II 

1. Legal Metrology Requirements and Mass 

Calibration Requirements noted above 

2. Volume Calibration Course (1 week 

seminar) 

3. Successful completion of proficiency 

testing for each area on the laboratory 

scope using applicable procedures 

(gravimetric procedures required for 

Echelon I) 

Usually all staff, 

at least one staff 

member 

Once Initially 

Refresher 

recommended 

every 10 years 

All measurement 

parameters in 

addition to mass 

and volume 

1. Documented evidence of training 

2. Successful completion of proficiency 

testing in each area of the laboratory 

Scope (where available) 

At least one, as needed 

At least once; 

Refresher as 

needed 

Handbook 143, Table 2 2021-03-10 
 

 

i Staff are not granted full Signatory Status unless they have completed three core seminars: Fundamentals of Metrology, Mass 

Calibration Seminar, Volume Calibration Seminar. The “Legal Metrology” designation is an exception to full training 

requirements and may be approved by OWM to grant Conditional Recognition only when the laboratory has one staff available 

and who has completed this level of training. If there is only one staff member in the laboratory, the laboratory will only be fully 

Recognized they have also successfully completed the Mass Calibration and Volume Calibration courses. It is possible under 

limited situations for a laboratory with only one staff member to obtain Conditional Signatory Status and gain Conditional 

Recognition pending completion of all training requirements. 

ii Waivers for Conditional Signatory Status of staff may be provided by OWM under unique circumstances. Conditional waivers 

for signatory authority require completion of stated level of training and include submitting a waiver request with objective 

evidence of mass/volume orientation as noted in Endnote iii, successful completion of Mass and Volume PTs, and successful 

completion of Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) problems. Waiver approvals are limited to SOP 8 and SOP 19 calibrations. 

The intent of interim orientation is to enable completion of proficiency testing and Fundamentals of Metrology, Laboratory 

Auditing Program (LAP) problems only. Waivers include an expiration date and may be extended by OWM with appropriate 

justification, if/as applicable. 

iii Orientation for Mass (SOP 8) and Volume (SOP 19) may be provided by NIST during other seminars, during on-site laboratory 

visits, via web-based training (recorded or live with applicable evidence) or may be approved for on-the-job training by qualified 

staff who have successfully met all other requirements at the designated level. Mass and Volume Calibration courses must be 

successful completed by at least one person in each laboratory to achieve full (non-Conditional) Recognition and by all staff who 

have full Signatory Authority for the applicable procedures and Scope. A waiver for Conditional Signatory Status may be issued 

to students whether they have completed the full Fundamentals of Metrology seminar or an on-line interim course at OWM’s 

discretion. 

Handbook 143, Table 2 2021-03-10