Written by Acorn Sales Company, manufacturing stamps and seals since 1964 · Reviewed by Holly R, VP of Sales and Marketing at Acorn Sales, against the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration and A.R.S. § 32-125(B) on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
An Arizona geologist seal is a 1-1/2 inch ink seal built to the same construction as the architect and engineer seals, with only the legend changed. R4-30-303(A) requires each registrant to secure and use an ink seal 1-1/2 inches in diameter identical in style, size and appearance to the sample in Appendix A. The upper annular space reads Registered Professional Geologist, the bottom reads Arizona U.S.A., and the inner circle carries your name as registered, your registration number and the literal words “date signed.” Appendix A prints both circles: 1-1/2 inches outside and 1-1/8 inches inside, each with a tolerance of plus or minus 1/16 inch.
File before you use it. R4-30-303(B) requires an imprint with your original signature superimposed over it, plus an affidavit regarding use of the seal, filed with the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration before the seal is used for any purpose, and gives the Board ten working days to disapprove a seal that misses “the exact specifications.” A geologist whose seal is rejected replaces it at their own cost, which is the reason to get the die right the first time.
One thing does not carry across from the engineers. R4-30-303(B) requires a separate seal for each branch of engineering, and Geological is one of the listed engineering branches, but that duty falls on registered engineers. A registered professional geologist buys a single seal with no branch or specialty line on it.
Arizona geologist seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Arizona rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Yes | A.R.S. § 32-125(B) |
| Required elements | Registered Professional Geologist, Your name as registered, Your registration number, The words “date signed” and Arizona U.S.A. | A.A.C. R4-30-303(A) |
| Size and shape | 1-1/2 inches outside diameter, tolerance plus or minus 1/16 inch, with an inner circle of 1-1/8 inches, same tolerance. | A.A.C. R4-30-303(A) |
| Device allowed | R4-30-303(A) names an ink seal, so an inked rubber stamp is the compliant device and the safe buy, and an embosser alone is not authorized. | A.A.C. R4-30-303(A), R4-30-304(E)(1), R4-30-304(F) |
| Signature and date | R4-30-304(E) requires the seal imprint, “An original signature that does not obscure either the registrant’s printed name or registration number”, and “The date the document was sealed.” Appendix A directs the registrant to “Sign your name across lower portion of the seal” without covering the name or number. | A.A.C. R4-30-304(E), R4-30-304(G) |
| What must be sealed | R4-30-304(A) applies its nine categories to geologists without modification. | A.A.C. R4-30-304(A), R4-30-304(D) |
| Electronic seal | No named standard, no named product. | A.A.C. R4-30-304(C), R4-30-304(E)(1), R4-30-304(G) |
| Renewal and lapse | A.R.S. § 32-125(C) makes it “unlawful for a registrant whose certificate has expired or has been revoked or suspended to use the seal”. | A.R.S. § 32-125(C), (D) |
| Firm requirements | A firm must be registered and gets no seal. | A.R.S. § 32-141 |
| Regulator | The Arizona State Board of Technical Registration | A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 1 (§§ 32-125, 32-127, 32-141) |
Is a seal required in Arizona?
Arizona is one of the few states that runs geologists through the same seal rule as architects and engineers. A.R.S. § 32-125(B) provides that plans, specifications, plats or reports prepared by a registrant or a registrant’s bona fide employee “shall be issued under the registrant’s seal if the board requires the registrant to use a seal”, and R4-30-303(A) then requires each registrant to secure and use an ink seal 1-1/2 inches in diameter identical in style, size and appearance to the sample in Appendix A. R4-30-304(A) requires “a permanently legible imprint of the registrant’s seal and signature” on a nine item list of document types, which for a geologist reaches reports and other professional documents as squarely as it reaches drawings.
What must appear on the seal
- Registered Professional Geologist
- Your name as registered
- Your registration number
- The words “date signed”
- Arizona U.S.A.
Nothing is optional. R4-30-303(A) prescribes “Registered Professional Geologist” in the upper annular space, Arizona U.S.A. at the bottom, and the name, registration number and the words “date signed” inside the inner circle. Arizona does not use the legend Professional Geologist alone, and it does not use the P.G. abbreviation on the die. There is no specialty or discipline line for geologists: the branch requirement in R4-30-303(B) applies only to engineers, even though the list of engineering branches happens to include Geological. A geologist registered in Arizona buys one seal. A date must not be built into the rubber, because substantive policy statement 7 states “It is not acceptable to change the date on a seal”.
Size and shape
1-1/2 inches outside diameter, tolerance plus or minus 1/16 inch, with an inner circle of 1-1/8 inches, same tolerance. R4-30-303(A) requires “an ink seal 1 1/2 inches in diameter and identical in style, size, and appearance to the sample shown in Appendix A”, and Appendix A prints both tolerances. The Board may disapprove any seal that misses “the exact specifications” under R4-30-303(B).
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
R4-30-303(A) names an ink seal, so an inked rubber stamp is the compliant device and the safe buy, and an embosser alone is not authorized. R4-30-304(E)(1) accepts “An original seal imprint or a computer-generated seal that matches the seal on file at the Board’s office”, which matters for geologists because so much of the work product is a bound report delivered as a PDF. R4-30-304(F) rejects every other method of transferring a seal.
Signing and dating
R4-30-304(E) requires the seal imprint, “An original signature that does not obscure either the registrant’s printed name or registration number”, and “The date the document was sealed.” Appendix A directs the registrant to “Sign your name across lower portion of the seal” without covering the name or number. Substantive policy statement 7 fixes the date as the day the document is sealed and signed. R4-30-304(G) allows an electronic signature under A.R.S. Title 41 and Title 44.
Arizona geologists use the same die construction as architects and engineers, legend and all
Geologist seals are usually the odd one out. In Arizona they are not. R4-30-303(A) prescribes one construction for every design registration the Board grants, and the only thing that changes between an engineer, an architect, a landscape architect, a land surveyor and a geologist is the wording in the upper annular space. For this registration that wording is “Registered Professional Geologist”.
That means an Arizona geologist seal carries the two features that catch buyers out everywhere else in this chapter. The inner circle has to contain the literal words “date signed” alongside the name and registration number, and the outer and inner circles are fixed at 1-1/2 inches and 1-1/8 inches with a 1/16 inch tolerance each.
The filing step is the same too. R4-30-303(B) requires an imprint with an original signature superimposed over it, plus an affidavit regarding use of the seal, filed with the Board before the seal is used for any purpose, and gives the Board ten working days to disapprove a non-conforming seal. A geologist whose seal is rejected replaces it at their own cost.
One thing does not carry across: the branch rule. R4-30-303(B) requires a separate seal for each branch of engineering, and Geological is one of the listed engineering branches, but that duty falls on registered engineers. A registered professional geologist buys a single seal with no branch line.
Which documents must be sealed
R4-30-304(A) applies its nine categories to geologists without modification. The items that carry most geology work are the cover, title, index or table of contents page or first sheet of any report, specification or other professional document, and the signature line of any letter or other professional document, along with each sheet of maps. R4-30-304(D) requires sealing before the document goes to a client, contractor or reviewing body “unless the document is marked ‘preliminary,’ ‘draft,’ or ‘not for construction’”, and always requires sealing of documents prepared for dispute resolution, litigation, arbitration or mediation, which is a routine setting for geologic opinion work.
Electronic and digital seals
No named standard, no named product. R4-30-304(G) accepts an electronic signature “in accordance with A.R.S. Title 41 and Title 44” and requires “adequate security regarding the use of the seal and signature.” R4-30-304(E)(1) permits a computer-generated seal only where it matches the imprint on file. R4-30-304(C) requires an electronic copy that is not a signed final document to be marked “Electronic copy of final document; sealed original document is with (identify the registrant’s name and registration number)”.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
A.R.S. § 32-125(C) makes it “unlawful for a registrant whose certificate has expired or has been revoked or suspended to use the seal”. A.R.S. § 32-127 bars practice, offers to practice and advertising while a registration is inactive or invalid, cancels a certificate after one full renewal period of invalidity, and then requires application as a new candidate. Whether the registration number survives cancellation is not addressed in § 32-127 or in 4 A.A.C. 30. Nothing requires the seal to be surrendered or destroyed.
Firm requirements
A firm must be registered and gets no seal. A.R.S. § 32-141 requires registration of any firm engaging in the practice of “any board-regulated profession or occupation”, which includes geology, with services under the full authority and responsible charge of a principal who is also a registrant. No firm seal exists and no firm number goes on a report.
What to check before you order
Order an inked rubber stamp, outer circle 1-1/2 inches and inner circle 1-1/8 inches, each within 1/16 inch. Upper ring: Registered Professional Geologist. Bottom: Arizona U.S.A. Inner circle: your name as registered, your registration number and the words date signed. No P.G. abbreviation, no specialty line, no date in the die, no embosser. File the imprint with your original signature across it, plus the affidavit, with the Board before you use the seal, and allow ten working days for the Board to act.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a geologist seal required in Arizona?
Yes. A.R.S. § 32-125(B) provides that plans, specifications, plats or reports prepared by a registrant or a registrant’s bona fide employee “shall be issued under the registrant’s seal if the board requires the registrant to use a seal,” and R4-30-303(A) requires each registrant to secure and use one. R4-30-304(A) then requires “a permanently legible imprint of the registrant’s seal and signature” on a nine item list of document types, which reaches reports as squarely as it reaches drawings.
What wording goes on an Arizona geologist seal?
Registered Professional Geologist in the upper annular space, Arizona U.S.A. at the bottom, and your name as registered, your registration number and the words date signed inside the inner circle. Nothing here is optional. Arizona does not use the legend Professional Geologist standing alone and it does not use the P.G. abbreviation on the die, so a stamp lettered either way is not the prescribed design.
What size is an Arizona geologist seal?
1-1/2 inches outside diameter with a 1-1/8 inch inner circle, each within plus or minus 1/16 inch. R4-30-303(A) fixes the outside figure and requires the die to be identical in style, size and appearance to the sample in Appendix A, and Appendix A prints both tolerances. R4-30-303(B) lets the Board disapprove any seal that misses the exact specifications.
Can I use an embosser in Arizona?
Not on its own. R4-30-303(A) names an ink seal, so an inked rubber stamp is the compliant device and the safe buy. R4-30-304(E)(1) separately accepts “An original seal imprint or a computer-generated seal that matches the seal on file at the Board’s office,” which matters for geologists because so much of the work product is a bound report delivered as a PDF. R4-30-304(F) rejects every other method of transferring a seal.
Can the date be built into the rubber?
No. Substantive policy statement 7 states “It is not acceptable to change the date on a seal,” and fixes the date as the day the document is sealed and signed. The die carries the words date signed, and the actual date is written or applied at the time of sealing. A self-inking stamp with a rotating date band is the wrong object for this rule.
Where does the signature go on an Arizona sealed document?
Across the lower portion of the seal, without covering the printed name or the registration number. Appendix A gives that instruction directly, and R4-30-304(E) requires the imprint, “An original signature that does not obscure either the registrant’s printed name or registration number” and “The date the document was sealed.” R4-30-304(G) allows an electronic signature in accordance with A.R.S. Title 41 and Title 44.
Which documents does an Arizona geologist have to seal?
R4-30-304(A) applies its nine categories to geologists without modification. The ones that carry most geology work are the cover, title, index or table of contents page or first sheet of any report, specification or other professional document, the signature line of any letter or other professional document, and each sheet of maps. R4-30-304(D) requires sealing before the document goes to a client, contractor or reviewing body “unless the document is marked ‘preliminary,’ ‘draft,’ or ‘not for construction,’” and always requires sealing of documents prepared for dispute resolution, litigation, arbitration or mediation.
How do I seal a PDF in Arizona?
With a computer-generated seal that matches the imprint you filed, under R4-30-304(E)(1), plus an electronic signature under R4-30-304(G), which requires compliance with A.R.S. Title 41 and Title 44 and “adequate security regarding the use of the seal and signature.” No product, certificate authority or cryptographic standard is named. An electronic copy that is not the signed final document must be marked under R4-30-304(C) as an electronic copy of the final document, identifying who holds the sealed original by name and registration number.
Does a geology firm need to register in Arizona?
Yes, and it gets no seal. A.R.S. § 32-141 requires registration of any firm engaging in the practice of “any board-regulated profession or occupation,” which includes geology, with services under the full authority and responsible charge of a principal who is also a registrant. No Arizona firm seal exists and no firm number goes on a report.
Can I seal while my Arizona registration is expired?
No. A.R.S. § 32-125(C) makes it “unlawful for a registrant whose certificate has expired or has been revoked or suspended to use the seal.” A.R.S. § 32-127 bars practice, offers to practice and advertising while a registration is inactive or invalid, cancels a certificate after one full renewal period of invalidity, and then requires you to apply as a new candidate. Whether the registration number survives cancellation is not stated in § 32-127 or in 4 A.A.C. 30, and nothing requires the seal to be surrendered or destroyed.
