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 Iowa Architectural Examining Board, within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing and Iowa Code § 544A.28 on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
An Iowa building permit issued on unsealed submissions is invalid. Iowa Code § 544A.28 does not merely say officials should not accept unsealed work. A public official enforcing the state building code or a municipal or county building code “shall not accept or approve any technical submissions involving the practice of architecture unless the technical submissions have been stamped with the architect’s seal,” unless the applicant has certified to a specific § 544A.18 exception, and “A building permit issued with respect to technical submissions which do not conform to the requirements of this section is invalid.”
The device is an outside circle of approximately one and three-quarter inches, carrying your name with the words Licensed Architect and your Iowa license number with the word Iowa, substantially conforming to the samples printed in the board’s rule. Iowa says Licensed Architect. No expiration date and no renewal date belongs on the face, because that information goes in the information block on the submission instead.
One citation note worth having. The Iowa design boards moved to the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing at agency 481, with architects at chapters 481-1061 through 481-1067. Guidance that still cites 193B for architects is pointing at superseded numbering.
Iowa architect seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Iowa rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Yes | Iowa Code § 544A.28 |
| Required elements | Your name and the words Licensed Architect and Your Iowa license number and the word Iowa | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1064.1(7)“a” |
| Size and shape | An outside circle of approximately one and three-quarter inches. | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1064.1(7)“a”(1) |
| Device allowed | “A legible rubber stamp, electronic image or other facsimile of the seal may be used.” Legibility is the test rather than the device. | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1064.1(7)“b” |
| Signature and date | Iowa works through an information block rather than a bare seal plus signature. | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1064.1(7)“c”, “d” |
| What must be sealed | All technical submissions issued by the architect for use in Iowa. | Iowa Code §§ 544A.18, 544A.28 |
| Electronic seal | Iowa ties the electronic question to state electronic transactions law rather than to a vendor technology. | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1064.1(7)“b”, “d” |
| Renewal and lapse | Licensure, renewal, reinstatement of a lapsed certificate to active status and reinstatement from inactive status are all in Iowa Admin. Code ch. 481-1062, rules 481-1062.2 through 481-1062.5, with continuing education at ch. 481-1063. | Iowa Admin. Code ch. 481-1062, r. 481-1062.3, 481-1062.4, 481-1062.5 |
| Firm requirements | Not applicable. | Iowa Code § 544A.21 (repealed) |
| Regulator | The Iowa Architectural Examining Board, within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing | Iowa Code ch. 544A, principally §§ 544A.18 and 544A.28, read from the Iowa Legislature’s published code |
Is a seal required in Iowa?
Iowa Code section 544A.28 creates the device and delegates its look: “An architect shall procure a seal with which to identify all technical submissions issued by the architect for use in this state. The seal shall be of a design, content, and size designated by the board.” The duty follows: “Technical submissions prepared by an architect, or under an architect’s direct supervision and responsible charge, shall be stamped with the impression of the architect’s seal.” The enforcement clause is the sharpest part: a public official enforcing the state building code or a municipal or county building code “shall not accept or approve any technical submissions involving the practice of architecture unless the technical submissions have been stamped with the architect’s seal,” unless the applicant has certified to a specific § 544A.18 exception, and “A building permit issued with respect to technical submissions which do not conform to the requirements of this section is invalid.”
What must appear on the seal
- Your name and the words Licensed Architect
- Your Iowa license number and the word Iowa
The rule pairs the items rather than listing them loose: the name goes with the words Licensed Architect, and the Iowa license number goes with the word Iowa. The seal will substantially conform to the samples printed in the rule. No expiration date and no renewal date belongs on the face, because Iowa puts that information in the information block on the submission instead. Note that Iowa says Licensed Architect. Do not carry across the Iowa registered interior designer legend from rule 481-1004.1(5) or the Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa legend from Iowa Code section 544B.12; all three Iowa devices share a diameter and differ in wording.
Size and shape
An outside circle of approximately one and three-quarter inches. Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1064.1(7)“a”(1) states it as “An outside circle with a diameter of approximately 1¾ inches,” and subparagraph (4) adds that the seal will substantially conform to the samples shown in the rule. The word approximately is in the rule, so Iowa tolerates a small variance. The same 1 3/4 inch figure governs Iowa registered interior designers under rule 481-1004.1(5) and Iowa professional landscape architects under rule 481-1084.1(7); Iowa engineers and land surveyors have no stated dimension at all.
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
“A legible rubber stamp, electronic image or other facsimile of the seal may be used.” Legibility is the test rather than the device. The safe buy is a rubber stamp at approximately 1 3/4 inches, because rule 481-1064.1(7)“c” requires the seal and the original signature to be applied to the final technical submission and the official copy to be stapled, bound or otherwise attached so as to establish the complete extent of the submission.
Signing and dating
Iowa works through an information block rather than a bare seal plus signature. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“c” requires an information block on the first page or cover sheet of the official copy of each technical submission going to a client or a public agency, with the architect in responsible charge applying the seal and each professional consultant doing the same in a block of their own, and provides that the seal and original signature are applied only to a final technical submission. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“d” requires the information in each block to be “typed or legibly printed in permanent ink or a secure electronic signature,” and requires the architect to be satisfied before affixing an electronic signature that the security procedures are adequate.
An invalid building permit, and a chapter number that moved in 2026
Iowa does not merely say that officials should not accept unsealed submissions. Section 544A.28 says a building official shall not accept or approve them, and then adds that “A building permit issued with respect to technical submissions which do not conform to the requirements of this section is invalid.” An unsealed Iowa set does not produce a defective permit; it produces no permit.
Which documents must be sealed
All technical submissions issued by the architect for use in Iowa. Section 544A.28 also requires the architect to cause the portions prepared by a professional consultant to be stamped with that consultant’s seal, with a clear identification of the consultant’s areas of responsibility, signature and date of issuance, and bars an architect from sealing submissions the architect did not author or directly supervise. The statute makes the point explicitly for prototype work: “An architect who merely reviews standardized construction documents for pre-engineered or prototype buildings, is not the author of the technical submissions and the technical submissions were not prepared under a reviewing architect’s responsible charge.” The exceptions at section 544A.18 cover detached residential buildings of twelve or fewer units and no more than three stories, agricultural buildings, nonstructural alterations, certain warehouses and commercial buildings within height and area limits, certain factory built buildings, and churches and accessory buildings within limits. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“e” requires the signing architect to forward copies of all changes and amendments to enforcement officials.
Electronic and digital seals
Iowa ties the electronic question to state electronic transactions law rather than to a vendor technology. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“d” accepts an electronic signature complying with Iowa Code chapter 554D where it is protected by an adequate security procedure, and puts the duty on the architect to be satisfied, before affixing it, that the procedures verify the signature is that of a specific person and detect changes made or attempted after signing. An electronic image of the seal is permitted under paragraph “b” on the same legibility test as a rubber stamp. No certificate authority or cryptographic standard is named.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
Licensure, renewal, reinstatement of a lapsed certificate to active status and reinstatement from inactive status are all in Iowa Admin. Code ch. 481-1062, rules 481-1062.2 through 481-1062.5, with continuing education at ch. 481-1063. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“f” is the sentence that reaches the device: “An architect is responsible for the custody and proper use of the seal. Improper use of the seal is grounds for disciplinary action.” Because the seal carries no expiry date and the license number does not change on renewal, an Iowa architect seal does not go stale on renewal; the renewal information belongs in the information block, which is updated submission by submission. Not addressed: whether the device must be surrendered or destroyed on revocation.
Firm requirements
Not applicable. Iowa Code section 544A.21, headed Practice by business entities, has been repealed, and chapter 544A now contains no firm registration, certificate of authorization or firm seal provision. Documents carry individual seals and information blocks only. That matches Iowa engineering and land surveying, where chapter 542B likewise has no certificate of authorization.
What to check before you order
Order a circular device with an outside circle of approximately one and three-quarter inches, carrying your name with the words Licensed Architect and your Iowa license number with the word Iowa, substantially conforming to the samples in the board’s rule. A legible rubber stamp, an electronic image or another facsimile of the seal may all be used, and a rubber stamp is the practical choice. Iowa works by information block: put a block on the first page or cover sheet of the official copy of each technical submission, seal it as the architect in responsible charge, and have each professional consultant seal a block of their own. Apply the seal and your original signature only to a final submission, and type or legibly print the rest of the block in permanent ink. Remember that an Iowa building permit issued on unsealed submissions is invalid.
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Frequently asked questions
Is an architect seal required in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa Code § 544A.28 provides that “An architect shall procure a seal with which to identify all technical submissions issued by the architect for use in this state. The seal shall be of a design, content, and size designated by the board,” and that “Technical submissions prepared by an architect, or under an architect’s direct supervision and responsible charge, shall be stamped with the impression of the architect’s seal.”
What has to appear on an Iowa architect seal?
The rule pairs the items rather than listing them loose: your name goes with the words Licensed Architect, and your Iowa license number goes with the word Iowa, under rule 481-1064.1(7)“a”. The seal will substantially conform to the samples printed in the rule. Do not carry across the Iowa registered interior designer legend from rule 481-1004.1(5) or the Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa legend from Iowa Code § 544B.12; all three Iowa devices share a diameter and differ in wording.
What size is an Iowa architect seal?
An outside circle with a diameter of approximately 1 3/4 inches, under rule 481-1064.1(7)“a”(1), with subparagraph (4) adding that the seal will substantially conform to the samples shown. The word approximately is in the rule, so Iowa tolerates a small variance. The same figure governs Iowa registered interior designers under rule 481-1004.1(5) and Iowa professional landscape architects under rule 481-1084.1(7); Iowa engineers and land surveyors have no stated dimension at all.
Can I use a rubber stamp or an electronic seal in Iowa?
Either. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“b” provides that “A legible rubber stamp, electronic image or other facsimile of the seal may be used,” so legibility is the test rather than the device. A rubber stamp at approximately 1 3/4 inches is the practical choice, because paragraph “c” requires the seal and the original signature on the final technical submission and requires the official copy to be stapled, bound or otherwise attached so as to establish the complete extent of the submission.
What is the Iowa information block?
Iowa works through a block rather than a bare seal plus signature. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“c” requires an information block on the first page or cover sheet of the official copy of each technical submission going to a client or a public agency, with the architect in responsible charge applying the seal and each professional consultant doing the same in a block of their own. The seal and original signature are applied only to a final technical submission. Paragraph “d” requires the information in each block to be “typed or legibly printed in permanent ink or a secure electronic signature.”
Which documents have to be sealed in Iowa?
All technical submissions issued by the architect for use in Iowa. Section 544A.28 also requires the architect to cause the portions prepared by a professional consultant to be stamped with that consultant’s seal, with a clear identification of the consultant’s areas of responsibility, signature and date of issuance, and bars an architect from sealing submissions the architect did not author or directly supervise. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“e” requires the signing architect to forward copies of all changes and amendments to enforcement officials.
Can I seal prototype drawings in Iowa?
Not by review alone. Section 544A.28 closes the route by definition: “An architect who merely reviews standardized construction documents for pre-engineered or prototype buildings, is not the author of the technical submissions and the technical submissions were not prepared under a reviewing architect’s responsible charge.”
Which Iowa projects are exempt?
The exceptions at § 544A.18 cover detached residential buildings of twelve or fewer units and no more than three stories, agricultural buildings, nonstructural alterations, certain warehouses and commercial buildings within height and area limits, certain factory built buildings, and churches and accessory buildings within limits. An applicant who relies on one certifies to the specific exception, which is how § 544A.28 lets an official accept an unsealed submission.
What electronic signature does Iowa accept?
One complying with Iowa Code chapter 554D, the state electronic transactions law, where it is protected by an adequate security procedure. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“d” puts the duty on the architect to be satisfied before affixing it that the procedures verify the signature is that of a specific person and detect changes made or attempted after signing. An electronic image of the seal is permitted under paragraph “b” on the same legibility test as a rubber stamp. No certificate authority or cryptographic standard is named.
Does my Iowa seal go stale at renewal?
No. The seal carries no expiry date and the license number does not change on renewal, so the renewal information belongs in the information block, which is updated submission by submission. Licensure, renewal, reinstatement of a lapsed certificate to active status and reinstatement from inactive status are all in Iowa Admin. Code ch. 481-1062, rules 481-1062.2 through 481-1062.5, with continuing education at ch. 481-1063. Rule 481-1064.1(7)“f” is the sentence that reaches the device: “An architect is responsible for the custody and proper use of the seal. Improper use of the seal is grounds for disciplinary action.” Whether the device must be surrendered or destroyed on revocation is not stated.
Does an Iowa architecture firm need registration?
No. Iowa Code § 544A.21, headed Practice by business entities, has been repealed, and chapter 544A now contains no firm registration, certificate of authorization or firm seal provision. Documents carry individual seals and information blocks only. That matches Iowa engineering and land surveying, where chapter 542B likewise has no certificate of authorization.
