All engineers practicing in Idaho are required to obtain and use an Idaho professional engineer embosser stamp or seal. It has to be 1 9/16 inches in diameter, and can be either a crimp style seal, a rubber stamp, or an electronically generated image. When the seal is applied, the signature and the date of the licensee must also be included, and this seal and signature must be placed on all original documents filed in the state of Idaho in a manner such that the seal, the date, and the signature are all reproduced whenever the original document is copied.
Using the Seal
The Idaho professional embosser stamp or seal must be affixed to all plans, drawings, plats, reports, specifications, surveys, calculations, and design information, whether you are presenting them to a government agency or to a client. If the document is not signed, sealed, and dated, then it must be clearly marked as “not for construction,” “draft,” or other words that signify that the document is not final. The exception to this would be a preliminary engineering report that is actually intended to describe the work that will be done and the manner in which it will be undertaken. In this instance, you would sign, seal, and date the document.
It is an offense under the law to affix your Idaho professional engineer embosser stamp or seal and your signature to any document after your license has expired, has been suspended, or has been revoked for any reason.
When you apply your seal to any document, you are essentially stating that the work described was done either by you, or under your direct supervision. Each drawing or plan must be signed, dated, and sealed. If a copy is made for informational purposes (i.e. bidding or working copies), you should use your seal and add a notification that the original document is on file. Use the phrases “original signed by” and “date original signed” either across the seal or adjacent to it, and state the storage location of the original document.
On specifications, reports, and similar documents, the seal and signature along with the date only need to appear on the title page.
Misuse of Your Idaho Professional Engineer Embosser Stamp
It is an offense under Idaho law to use your stamp or seal to file documents related to work that you have not done, or have not directly supervised. Keep in mind, though, that you can also be held responsible for the misuse of your seal, even if you’re not aware of that misuse. For that reason, it’s important that you keep your seal in a secure location. If someone were to use it to seal documents without your knowledge and something went wrong with a project, you could be held responsible and even subjected to discipline by the licensing board. If you should lose your seal, or you believe that it has been stolen, it is your responsibility to notify the Board immediately. You won’t be held responsible for anything that occurs as a result of the misuse of your Idaho professional engineer embosser stamp or seal following the date that your report it lost or stolen.
Products to Keep You Compliant
As we’ve stated, in Idaho you can use either a seal or a rubber stamp. Acorn Sales Company Incorporated has everything you need for your stamping and sealing needs, including:
- Soft seal, long reach, extended long reach, hand held, and desk seal embossers
- Slim pre-inked stamps
- Self-inking stamps
- MaxLight pre-inked stamps
- Regular hand rubber stamps
For more information about the requirements for stamping and sealing in the state of Idaho, visit the Idaho Board of Engineers website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Idaho Professional Engineer seal requirements?
An Idaho Professional Engineer seal must be 1 9/16 inches in diameter and may be a crimp style embosser, rubber stamp, or electronically generated image. When used, it must include your signature and the date, and it must appear on original documents filed in Idaho so the seal, signature, and date are reproduced on copies.
When do I need to use my Idaho PE embosser stamp or seal?
You should use your Idaho PE seal on plans, drawings, plats, reports, specifications, surveys, calculations, and other design documents submitted to a client or government agency. If a document is not signed, sealed, and dated, it should be clearly marked “not for construction,” “draft,” or similar wording to show it is not final.
Can I use a rubber stamp instead of an embosser stamp in Idaho?
Yes. Idaho allows a professional engineer to use either a seal or a rubber stamp, as well as an electronically generated image. Many engineers choose between a crimp embosser stamp, self-inking stamp, or pre-inked stamp based on convenience and the type of documents they handle most often.
What happens if I seal documents after my Idaho PE license expires?
It is an offense to affix your Idaho professional engineer seal and signature after your license has expired, been suspended, or been revoked. You should only seal documents while your license is active and in good standing.
What should I do if my Idaho engineer seal is lost or stolen?
If your Idaho PE embosser stamp or seal is lost or stolen, you must notify the Idaho Board immediately. After you report it, you are generally not responsible for misuse that happens following the date of the report, so it’s important to act quickly.
Are there specific documents where only the title page needs to be sealed?
Yes. For specifications, reports, and similar documents, the seal, signature, and date usually only need to appear on the title page. For drawings and plans, however, each sheet or original document should be signed, dated, and sealed as required.
