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 Indiana Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists and 305 IAC 1-4-1 on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
An Indiana geologist seal may be embossed or applied by a rubber stamp, and that is the entire list. 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) is one sentence with real consequences, because Indiana authorizes electronic application expressly everywhere else: for architects and landscape architects at 804 IAC 1.1-2-7(b) and (e), for professional surveyors at 865 IAC 1-7-1(b)(1) with a full electronic transaction rule at 865 IAC 1-7-4, and for professional engineers at 864 IAC 1.1-7-2. The geologists’ title has none of that machinery, so do not assume an Indiana geologist may seal electronically because an Indiana engineer or surveyor may.
The size band is 1 5/8 to 1 7/8 inches outside diameter. 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) provides that a seal “cannot be less than one and five-eighths (15/8″) inches or more than one and seven-eighths (17/8″) inches in outside diameter and shall conform with the following design,” and the face carries your name, your license number and the words Licensed professional geologist. The same band appears in all four Indiana design titles, so match the geologist design printed in 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) rather than an engineer or surveyor face that happens to share the dimension.
Indiana sends you to a supplier by name. 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) says a licensed professional geologist “may purchase a seal from a private vendor.” That is the opposite of North Carolina, where the geologist obtains the seal from the Board’s secretary at a cost the Board prescribes. Two geologist boards, two opposite answers on where the device comes from.
Indiana geologist seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Indiana rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Conditional | 305 IAC 1-4-1 |
| Required elements | Your name, Your license number, The words Licensed professional geologist, The design shown in the rule and A milled edge, or two concentric circles | 305 IAC 1-4-1(a), (b) |
| Size and shape | Not less than 1 5/8 inches and not more than 1 7/8 inches in outside diameter. 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) states that a seal “cannot be less than one and five-eighths (15/8″) inches or more than one and seven-eighths. | 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) |
| Device allowed | Two devices only, and no electronic option. 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) provides that “The seal may be embossed or applied by a rubber stamp.” That is the entire list. | 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) |
| Signature and date | Signature referenced, placement and date not addressed. 305 IAC 1-4-1(f) speaks of documents “to which the seal or signature of the licensed professional geologist is affixed,” which assumes a signature, and adds that a licensed professional geologist who affixes a seal or signature to a document without understanding the contents of the document violates the code of ethics. | 305 IAC 1-4-1(f) |
| What must be sealed | 305 IAC 1-4-1(d) states the condition rather than a document list: affix the seal only where the license is current and not suspended or revoked, and only where the document or instrument is created by the licensed professional geologist or by persons who are regularly employed or directly supervised subordinates. | 305 IAC 1-4-1(d), (e), (f) |
| Electronic seal | Not addressed, and in context that is a prohibition rather than a gap. 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) names embossing and rubber stamp application and nothing else. | 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) |
| Renewal and lapse | 305 IAC 1-4-1(d)(1) bars affixing the seal unless the license is current and has not been suspended or revoked. | 305 IAC 1-3-3, 305 IAC 1-3-4, 305 IAC 1-3-5, 305 IAC 1-4-1(d) |
| Firm requirements | Not applicable. 305 IAC 1-4-1 puts only individual items on the seal, the name, the license number and the legend, and Indiana prescribes no geology firm seal and no firm number for the face. | 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) |
| Regulator | The Indiana Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists | 305 IAC 1, Indiana Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists, principally 305 IAC 1-3-3, 1-3-4, 1-3-5, 1-4-1 and 1-4-2, read in full from the Indiana Administrative Code at iar.iga.in.gov |
Is a seal required in Indiana?
Indiana licenses professional geologists in its own administrative title and words the purchase permissively while making the use mandatory once the seal exists. 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) provides that “A licensed professional geologist may purchase a seal from a private vendor that bears the geologist’s name, license number, and the legend ‘Licensed professional geologist’.” Subsection (d) then restricts affixing it: the seal shall be affixed to a document or license only if the license is current and has not been suspended or revoked, and only where the document or instrument is created by the licensed professional geologist or by persons who are regularly employed or directly supervised subordinates. Subsection (f) makes the licensee responsible for the professional work on any plans, specifications, plats, reports or other documents to which the seal or signature is affixed.
What must appear on the seal
- Your name
- Your license number
- The words Licensed professional geologist
- The design shown in the rule
- A milled edge, or two concentric circles
One choice, one prohibition and one clean up provision. 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) lets the seal have a milled edge as illustrated or two concentric circles with the outer and inner circles corresponding with the respective edges of the milling. 305 IAC 1-4-1(c) settles any argument about legacy artwork: “The seal pictured replaces all previous seal designs.” An older Indiana geologist device following a superseded design is not the current one. No firm name and no expiration date belong on the face.
Size and shape
Not less than 1 5/8 inches and not more than 1 7/8 inches in outside diameter. 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) states that a seal “cannot be less than one and five-eighths (15/8″) inches or more than one and seven-eighths (17/8″) inches in outside diameter and shall conform with the following design.” Indiana states this same band separately for four professions in four different titles, so match the geologist design printed in 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) rather than an engineer, architect, landscape architect or surveyor face that happens to share the dimension.
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
Two devices only, and no electronic option. 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) provides that “The seal may be embossed or applied by a rubber stamp.” That is the entire list. Indiana architects and landscape architects may apply the seal electronically under 804 IAC 1.1-2-7(b) and (e), Indiana professional surveyors may under 865 IAC 1-7-1(b)(1) with a full electronic transaction rule at 865 IAC 1-7-4, and Indiana professional engineers may under 864 IAC 1.1-7-2. The geologist rule allows neither electronic application nor any other permanent means. A rubber stamp is the safe buy.
Signing and dating
Signature referenced, placement and date not addressed. 305 IAC 1-4-1(f) speaks of documents “to which the seal or signature of the licensed professional geologist is affixed,” which assumes a signature, and adds that a licensed professional geologist who affixes a seal or signature to a document without understanding the contents of the document violates the code of ethics. What the rule does not do is place the signature relative to the seal or require a date. The sources here are 305 IAC 1-4-1 in full and checked the rule list for 305 IAC 1, which runs 1-1 administration, 1-2 definitions, 1-3 licensure and 1-4 seal, roster and related duties.
Embossed or rubber stamped, and nothing else
305 IAC 1-4-1(b) is a single sentence with real consequences: “The seal may be embossed or applied by a rubber stamp.” Indiana authorizes electronic application expressly for its architects and landscape architects at 804 IAC 1.1-2-7(b) and (e), for its professional surveyors at 865 IAC 1-7-1(b)(1), and it gives surveyors an entire electronic transaction rule at 865 IAC 1-7-4. The geologists’ title has none of that. A licensed professional geologist in Indiana working from a fully digital deliverable is operating outside what the rule describes, and the safe course is a physical device on a physical original.
Which documents must be sealed
305 IAC 1-4-1(d) states the condition rather than a document list: affix the seal only where the license is current and not suspended or revoked, and only where the document or instrument is created by the licensed professional geologist or by persons who are regularly employed or directly supervised subordinates. Subsection (e) requires the licensee to cause the placement of the seal on a document or instrument to be legible. Subsection (f) names the document families the responsibility attaches to, “any plans, specifications, plats, reports, or other documents,” and ties affixing without understanding the contents to the code of ethics.
Electronic and digital seals
Not addressed, and in context that is a prohibition rather than a gap. 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) names embossing and rubber stamp application and nothing else. Indiana knows how to authorize an electronic seal and does so expressly in the other three design titles, including a detailed electronic transaction rule for professional surveyors at 865 IAC 1-7-4 with definitions, criteria, a permanent digital copy duty and the Not a Certified Document legend. None of that machinery exists in 305 IAC 1. Do not assume an Indiana geologist may seal electronically because an Indiana engineer or surveyor may.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
305 IAC 1-4-1(d)(1) bars affixing the seal unless the license is current and has not been suspended or revoked. Issuance of a new license is at 305 IAC 1-3-3, issuance of a renewal license at 305 IAC 1-3-4 and suspension and revocation at 305 IAC 1-3-5. 305 IAC 1-4-2 requires publication of the roster and makes it the licensee’s responsibility to maintain a current address. Because the seal carries a license number and no expiration date, renewal does not make the device stale and the number does not change.
Firm requirements
Not applicable. 305 IAC 1-4-1 puts only individual items on the seal, the name, the license number and the legend, and Indiana prescribes no geology firm seal and no firm number for the face. That differs from the architects and landscape architects title, where 804 IAC 1.1-2-8 regulates firm, partnership and corporate practice, though even there the firm gets no seal.
What to check before you order
Order a rubber stamp between 1 5/8 and 1 7/8 inches outside diameter, reproducing the design printed at 305 IAC 1-4-1(a), with either a milled edge or two concentric circles matching the milling edges. The face carries your name, your license number and the words Licensed professional geologist. Indiana sends you to a private vendor for this device, unlike North Carolina, which issues the geologist seal from the board office. Do not order an electronically applied seal: 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) permits embossing or a rubber stamp and nothing else, even though Indiana authorizes electronic application for its architects, landscape architects and surveyors in their own titles. Keep the impression legible, which the rule makes your responsibility.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a geologist seal required in Indiana?
The purchase is worded permissively and the use is restricted once the seal exists. 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) says a licensed professional geologist may purchase a seal bearing the name, license number and legend, and subsection (d) then allows affixing it only where the license is current and has not been suspended or revoked, and only where the document or instrument is created by the licensed professional geologist or by persons who are regularly employed or directly supervised subordinates.
What size is an Indiana geologist seal?
Not less than 1 5/8 inches and not more than 1 7/8 inches in outside diameter, under 305 IAC 1-4-1(a). Indiana states that same band separately for four professions in four different titles, so the dimension alone will not tell a supplier which face to cut. The design printed in 305 IAC 1-4-1(a) does.
What goes on the face?
Your name, your license number and the words Licensed professional geologist, arranged to the design the rule prints. 305 IAC 1-4-1(b) lets the seal have a milled edge as illustrated, or two concentric circles with the outer and inner circles corresponding with the respective edges of the milling. No firm name and no expiration date belong on it.
Can I use my older Indiana geologist seal?
Only if it follows the current design. 305 IAC 1-4-1(c) settles the question in five words: “The seal pictured replaces all previous seal designs.” A device built to superseded artwork is not the current one, whatever its age or condition.
Can an Indiana geologist seal electronically?
The rule names embossing and rubber stamp application and nothing else. Indiana knows how to authorize an electronic seal and does so expressly in its other three design titles, including a detailed electronic transaction rule for professional surveyors at 865 IAC 1-7-4 with definitions, criteria, a permanent digital copy duty and the Not a Certified Document legend. None of that exists in 305 IAC 1, so a physical device on a physical original is the safe course.
Where do the signature and date go?
305 IAC 1-4-1(f) speaks of documents “to which the seal or signature of the licensed professional geologist is affixed,” which assumes a signature, and adds that affixing a seal or signature to a document without understanding its contents violates the code of ethics. What the rule does not do is place the signature relative to the seal or require a date at all. Subsection (e) does require you to cause the placement of the seal to be legible.
Which documents does the seal go on?
305 IAC 1-4-1 states conditions rather than a document list. Subsection (d) allows affixing only with a current license and only on documents created by you or by regularly employed or directly supervised subordinates. Subsection (f) names the families that responsibility attaches to: “any plans, specifications, plats, reports, or other documents.”
Who is responsible for a sealed Indiana document?
You are. 305 IAC 1-4-1(f) makes the licensee responsible for the professional work on any plans, specifications, plats, reports or other documents to which the seal or signature is affixed, and ties affixing without understanding the contents to the code of ethics. That is a direct reason to read before sealing subordinate work.
Does renewal make my Indiana seal stale?
No. The seal carries a license number and no expiration date, so renewal does not affect the device and the number does not change. Issuance of a new license sits at 305 IAC 1-3-3, renewal at 305 IAC 1-3-4 and suspension and revocation at 305 IAC 1-3-5, and 305 IAC 1-4-1(d)(1) bars affixing the seal unless the license is current and has not been suspended or revoked.
Does an Indiana geology firm get a seal?
No. 305 IAC 1-4-1 puts only individual items on the face, the name, the license number and the legend, and Indiana prescribes no geology firm seal and no firm number for it. That differs from the architects and landscape architects title, where 804 IAC 1.1-2-8 regulates firm, partnership and corporate practice, though even there the firm gets no seal.
