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 Landscape Architectural Examining Board, within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing and Iowa Code § 544B.12 on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
Approximately one and three-quarter inches across the outside circle, and the legend is Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“b” gives both: “The diameter of the outside circle shall be approximately 1¾ inches. The seal will include the name of the professional landscape architect and the words ‘Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa.’ The professional landscape architect’s Iowa license number will be included.” The statute at Iowa Code § 544B.12 fixes the legend; the rule adds the license number.
Iowa architects, registered interior designers and professional landscape architects all order a device with the same approximate 1 3/4 inch outside circle. The only thing distinguishing them is the wording: Licensed Architect, Registered Interior Designer, and Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa. In a multidisciplinary Iowa office that similarity is the likeliest cause of a wrong stamp on a right sheet.
Iowa works by information block rather than by engraving currency onto the die. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“d” puts a License Expires field in the block and provides that the original signature is applied only to a final technical submission, and (7)“e” requires the block to be “typed or legibly printed in permanent ink or digital signature.” That is why an Iowa landscape architect seal never needs recutting on renewal.
Iowa landscape architect seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Iowa rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Yes | Iowa Code § 544B.12 |
| Required elements | Your name, The words Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa, Your Iowa license number and Such other words or figures as the board may deem necessary | Iowa Code § 544B.12 |
| Size and shape | An outside circle of approximately one and three-quarter inches. | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1084.1(7)“b” |
| Device allowed | “A legible rubber stamp, an electronic image or other facsimile of the seal may be used.” The statutory test is legibility, since section 544B.12 requires plans and specifications to bear the legible seal. | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1084.1(7)“c” |
| Signature and date | Iowa works through an information block here as it does for architects and interior designers. | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1084.1(7)“d”, “e” |
| What must be sealed | All technical submissions issued by the professional landscape architect for use in Iowa, and, under the statute, all plans and specifications, which must be dated and bear the legible seal. | Iowa Code §§ 544B.12, 544B.20 |
| Electronic seal | Rule 481-1084.1(7)“c” permits an electronic image of the seal on the same legibility test as a rubber stamp, and rule 481-1084.1(7)“e” contemplates a digital signature in the information block. | Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1084.1(7)“c”, “e” |
| Renewal and lapse | Iowa Code section 544B.13 provides that certificates of licensure expire in intervals determined by the board, that professional landscape architects shall renew and pay a renewal fee in the manner and amount the board prescribes, and that renewal may occur within thirty days after expiration though “the board may assess a reasonable penalty.” Section 544B.15 covers suspension, revocation and reprimand. | Iowa Code §§ 544B.13, 544B.15 |
| Firm requirements | Not applicable. | Iowa Code ch. 544B (no certificate of authorization provision) |
| Regulator | The Iowa Landscape Architectural Examining Board, within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing | Iowa Code ch. 544B, principally §§ 544B.11, 544B.12, 544B.13, 544B.15 and 544B.20, read from the Iowa Legislature’s published code |
Is a seal required in Iowa?
Iowa Code section 544B.12 creates the seal: “Every professional landscape architect shall have a seal which shall contain the name of the landscape architect and the words ‘Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa’, and such other words or figures as the board may deem necessary.” The duty follows in the same section: all plans and specifications must be dated and bear “the legible seal of such professional landscape architect.” The board rule repeats the obligation at 481-1084.1(7)“a”: “Each professional landscape architect will procure a seal with which to identify all technical submissions issued by the professional landscape architect for use in Iowa.”
What must appear on the seal
- Your name
- The words Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa
- Your Iowa license number
- Such other words or figures as the board may deem necessary
The statute fixes the legend as “Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa”, with the comma, and leaves the board room to add other words or figures. The rule then adds the Iowa license number, which the statute does not name. Iowa says Professional Landscape Architect here, Licensed Architect for architects and Registered Interior Designer for interior designers, so the three Iowa devices differ only in wording and are easy to confuse in a combined practice. Section 544B.12 is explicit that this seal cannot substitute for the licenses required of architects, engineers or land surveyors.
Size and shape
An outside circle of approximately one and three-quarter inches. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“b”: “The diameter of the outside circle shall be approximately 1¾ inches. The seal will include the name of the professional landscape architect and the words ‘Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa.’ The professional landscape architect’s Iowa license number will be included.” The same figure governs Iowa architects and Iowa registered interior designers; Iowa engineers and land surveyors have no stated dimension.
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
“A legible rubber stamp, an electronic image or other facsimile of the seal may be used.” The statutory test is legibility, since section 544B.12 requires plans and specifications to bear the legible seal. The safe buy is a rubber stamp at approximately 1 3/4 inches, because the original signature must be applied to the final technical submission and both have to read on the copies that leave the office.
Signing and dating
Iowa works through an information block here as it does for architects and interior designers. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“d” requires application of the seal by the professional landscape architect and provides that the original signature will be applied only to a final technical submission, and the block includes a License Expires field. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“e” requires the information in each block to be “typed or legibly printed in permanent ink or digital signature” and addresses electronic signatures meeting the stated requirements. Section 544B.12 separately requires all plans and specifications to be dated.
Three Iowa boards, one diameter, three different legends
Iowa architects, registered interior designers and professional landscape architects all order a device with an outside circle of approximately 1 3/4 inches. The only thing distinguishing them is the wording: Licensed Architect with the word Iowa, Registered Interior Designer with the word Iowa, and Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa. In a multidisciplinary Iowa office that similarity is the single likeliest cause of a wrong stamp on a right sheet.
Which documents must be sealed
All technical submissions issued by the professional landscape architect for use in Iowa, and, under the statute, all plans and specifications, which must be dated and bear the legible seal. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“g” puts custody on the licensee: “A professional landscape architect is responsible for the custody and proper use of the seal.” Iowa Code section 544B.20 sets the scope limits: the chapter does not apply to licensed engineers, architects or land surveyors, licensed architects and engineers may perform landscape planning and designing, and planners, conservationists, arborists, gardeners, contractors and similar persons are not restricted, though they may not “use the designation landscape architect” unless licensed under section 544B.11.
Electronic and digital seals
Rule 481-1084.1(7)“c” permits an electronic image of the seal on the same legibility test as a rubber stamp, and rule 481-1084.1(7)“e” contemplates a digital signature in the information block. No certificate authority, cryptographic standard or verification service is named in rule 481-1084.1, and the rule does not cross-reference Iowa Code chapter 554D the way the engineering and land surveying rule at 481-1050.1(8) does. Confirm the security procedure with the board before relying on a fully electronic Iowa landscape architecture submission.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
Iowa Code section 544B.13 provides that certificates of licensure expire in intervals determined by the board, that professional landscape architects shall renew and pay a renewal fee in the manner and amount the board prescribes, and that renewal may occur within thirty days after expiration though “the board may assess a reasonable penalty.” Section 544B.15 covers suspension, revocation and reprimand. Because the information block carries a License Expires field, the renewal date is written onto the submission rather than onto the die, and the seal does not go stale on renewal. Not addressed: whether the license number changes on reinstatement and whether the device must be surrendered.
Firm requirements
Not applicable. Iowa Code ch. 544B contains no certificate of authorization, firm registration or firm seal provision, and rule 481-1084.1 puts no firm number on the device. Documents carry the individual seal and the information block only, which is the same posture Iowa takes for architects at ch. 544A and for engineers and land surveyors at ch. 542B.
What to check before you order
Order a circular device with an outside circle of approximately one and three-quarter inches carrying your name, the words Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa, and your Iowa license number. A legible rubber stamp, an electronic image or another facsimile may be used; the statutory test is that the seal on plans and specifications be legible. Iowa works by information block: apply the seal to the block, apply your original signature only to a final technical submission, complete the License Expires field, and type or legibly print the rest of the block in permanent ink. Date the plans and specifications. Keep custody of the device, because the rule makes you responsible for its custody and proper use.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a seal required for landscape architects in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa Code § 544B.12 creates it: “Every professional landscape architect shall have a seal which shall contain the name of the landscape architect and the words ‘Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa’, and such other words or figures as the board may deem necessary,” and requires all plans and specifications to be dated and to bear “the legible seal of such professional landscape architect.” Rule 481-1084.1(7)“a” repeats the duty for all technical submissions issued for use in Iowa.
What has to appear on an Iowa landscape architect seal?
Your name, the words Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa, your Iowa license number, and such other words or figures as the board may deem necessary. The statute fixes the legend with the comma; the rule supplies the license number, which the statute does not name. Iowa says Professional Landscape Architect here, Licensed Architect for architects and Registered Interior Designer for interior designers.
What size is an Iowa landscape architect seal?
An outside circle of approximately one and three-quarter inches, under rule 481-1084.1(7)“b”. The same figure governs Iowa architects and Iowa registered interior designers. Iowa engineers and land surveyors have no stated dimension.
Rubber stamp or electronic image in Iowa?
Either, plus another facsimile: “A legible rubber stamp, an electronic image or other facsimile of the seal may be used.” The statutory test is legibility, since § 544B.12 requires plans and specifications to bear the legible seal. A rubber stamp at approximately 1 3/4 inches is the practical buy, because your original signature goes on the final technical submission and both have to read on the copies that leave the office.
What is the Iowa information block?
It is how Iowa keeps currency information on the sheet instead of on the die. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“d” requires application of the seal by the professional landscape architect, provides that the original signature is applied only to a final technical submission, and includes a License Expires field. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“e” requires the information in each block to be typed or legibly printed in permanent ink or digital signature and addresses electronic signatures meeting the stated requirements. Iowa Code § 544B.12 separately requires all plans and specifications to be dated.
Which Iowa documents have to be sealed?
All technical submissions issued by the professional landscape architect for use in Iowa, and under the statute all plans and specifications, which must be dated and bear the legible seal. Rule 481-1084.1(7)“g” puts custody on you: “A professional landscape architect is responsible for the custody and proper use of the seal.”
Can I seal an Iowa submission electronically?
Rule 481-1084.1(7)“c” permits an electronic image of the seal on the same legibility test as a rubber stamp, and (7)“e” contemplates a digital signature in the information block. No certificate authority, cryptographic standard or verification service is named in rule 481-1084.1, and the rule does not cross-reference Iowa Code chapter 554D the way the engineering and land surveying rule at 481-1050.1(8) does. Confirm the security procedure with the board before relying on a fully electronic Iowa submission.
What does an Iowa landscape architect seal not authorize?
Practice in another licensed profession. Iowa Code § 544B.12 is explicit that this seal cannot substitute for the licenses required of architects, engineers or land surveyors. Section 544B.20 sets the other boundary: the chapter does not apply to licensed engineers, architects or land surveyors, licensed architects and engineers may perform landscape planning and designing, and planners, conservationists, arborists, gardeners, contractors and similar persons are not restricted, though they may not “use the designation landscape architect” unless licensed under § 544B.11.
Does renewal force a new Iowa seal?
No. Because the information block carries a License Expires field, the renewal date is written onto the submission rather than onto the die. Iowa Code § 544B.13 provides that certificates expire in intervals determined by the board, that professional landscape architects renew and pay a renewal fee in the manner and amount the board prescribes, and that renewal may occur within thirty days after expiration though “the board may assess a reasonable penalty.” Section 544B.15 covers suspension, revocation and reprimand. Whether the license number changes on reinstatement, and whether the device must be surrendered, are not addressed.
Does an Iowa landscape architecture firm need a seal?
No. Iowa Code ch. 544B contains no certificate of authorization, firm registration or firm seal provision, and rule 481-1084.1 puts no firm number on the device. Documents carry the individual seal and the information block only, which is the same posture Iowa takes for architects at ch. 544A and for engineers and land surveyors at ch. 542B.
