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 Maine State Board for Licensure of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers and 32 M.R.S. § 225 on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
Maine publishes no seal design at all for this profession, so the artwork comes from the board. 32 M.R.S. § 225 provides that “Each licensed architect or landscape architect shall upon licensure obtain a seal of such design as the board authorizes and directs,” and there the specification stops. The board rules do not take it up: chapters 10, 12, 13 (Licensure of Landscape Architects), 14, 17 and 18 of 02-288 C.M.R. prescribe no legend, no element list, no layout and no diameter. Ask the board for the authorized design before you order anything. We can tell you what comes off our own bench: Acorn cuts this seal on the same plate as the Maine architect seal from the same board, a 1-3/4 inch nominal circle with a plain double border, changing only the legend to LICENSED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT above STATE OF MAINE.
One statutory sentence covers two credentials, with one small asymmetry in the drafting: technical submissions are covered where they are prepared by or under the direct supervision of a licensed architect, and where they are prepared under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. Read the current text before relying on that difference.
The prohibition at the end of § 225 is the part that bites. It is unlawful to stamp or seal documents with the seal after the license named on the seal has expired or has been revoked, unless the license has been renewed or reissued. That phrase, the license named on the seal, presupposes that the license is identified on the face of the device.
Maine landscape architect seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Maine rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Yes | 32 M.R.S. § 225 |
| Required elements | The words “LICENSED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT” around the upper arc; The words “STATE OF MAINE” around the lower arc; A five-pointed star at each side, separating the two arcs; Your name in the center; Your license number below it, in the form “No. 0000”; A dotted inner ring around the center block; A plain double outer border | Acorn Sales production artwork, Maine landscape architect seal |
| Size and shape | This is what Acorn actually makes for Maine, taken from our own production artwork rather than from a published rule. | Acorn Sales production artwork, Maine landscape architect seal |
| Device allowed | Not addressed. Section 225 speaks of technical submissions being stamped with the seal and names no device. The board’s chapter 18 s. 3 does contemplate seals reproduced on electronic documents: “An. | 32 M.R.S. § 225 |
| Signature and date | Not addressed. Section 225 requires the seal and says nothing about a signature, a date or placement. The sources here are 32 M.R.S. §§ 210 through 228 and read 02-288 C.M.R. chapters 10, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18. | 32 M.R.S. § 225 (silent as to signature and date) |
| What must be sealed | Technical submissions prepared under the direct supervision of the licensed landscape architect. | 32 M.R.S. §§ 225, 226 |
| Electronic seal | Maine addresses reliance rather than technology. | 02-288 C.M.R. ch. 18 s. 3 |
| Renewal and lapse | The statute kills the seal with the license: it is unlawful to stamp or seal any documents with the seal after the license named on the seal has expired or has been revoked, unless the license has been renewed or reissued. | 32 M.R.S. §§ 218, 225 |
| Firm requirements | Not applicable. 32 M.R.S. § 220-C limits a license under chapter 3-A to individuals, and the chapter contains no certificate of authorization, firm registration or firm seal provision. | 32 M.R.S. § 220-C |
| Regulator | The Maine State Board for Licensure of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers | 32 M.R.S. ch. 3-A, §§ 210 through 228, principally § 225 (Seal), § 220-C and § 226, read from the Maine Legislature’s published statutes |
Is a seal required in Maine?
Maine writes one seal section for two credentials. 32 M.R.S. § 225 provides that “Each licensed architect or landscape architect shall upon licensure obtain a seal of such design as the board authorizes and directs,” and that technical submissions prepared under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect “must be stamped with the seal during the life of the licensee’s license.” The section closes with the prohibition: it is unlawful to stamp or seal documents with the seal after the license named on the seal has expired or has been revoked, unless the license has been renewed or reissued.
What must appear on the seal
- The words “LICENSED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT” around the upper arc
- The words “STATE OF MAINE” around the lower arc
- A five-pointed star at each side, separating the two arcs
- Your name in the center
- Your license number below it, in the form “No. 0000”
- A dotted inner ring around the center block
- A plain double outer border
The list above is Acorn’s own production artwork, not a published specification. It is what we cut and ship for this credential, and it is offered as a starting point rather than as the rule. As for what the state itself publishes: Not addressed in any source we could read. The design is delegated to the board and the board’s rules do not take it up: we read 02-288 C.M.R. chapters 10, 12, 13 (Licensure of Landscape Architects), 14, 17 and 18 in full and none prescribes a legend, an element list or a layout. The board’s Display of Legend guidance requires the words Maine Licensed Landscape Architect in advertising, promotional materials, correspondence and business cards, which is a marketing legend and not a seal specification, though it is the best published indication of how Maine words this credential. Ask the board for the authorized design.
Size and shape
This is what Acorn actually makes for Maine, taken from our own production artwork rather than from a published rule. No diameter, shape or proportion appears in 32 M.R.S. ch. 3-A or in 02-288 C.M.R., because § 225 hands the design to the board rather than fixing it in text. What follows is the die we cut. The die is built to a 1-3/4 inch nominal circle, measured to the outer of the two border rings, on the same plate construction as the Maine architect seal from the same board, with only the legend changed. The 1 3/4 inch figure published by the separate Maine State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers is that board’s guidance for engineers and does not transfer.
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
Not addressed. Section 225 speaks of technical submissions being stamped with the seal and names no device. The board’s chapter 18 s. 3 does contemplate seals reproduced on electronic documents: “An architect, landscape architect or certified interior designer may rely upon technical submissions in electronic form (e.g., portable document format), including the seals reproduced thereon, to the same extent as their physical counterparts.” An inked stamp cut to the board’s authorized design is the safe buy.
Signing and dating
Not addressed. Section 225 requires the seal and says nothing about a signature, a date or placement. The sources here are 32 M.R.S. §§ 210 through 228 and read 02-288 C.M.R. chapters 10, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18 in full. The contrast within the same board is worth noting: certified interior designers must sign with a certification of licensure, the license number and the date under § 225-A, while landscape architects are given a stamping duty alone. Sign and date as a matter of practice.
The same statutory sentence covers architects and landscape architects
32 M.R.S. § 225 does not give landscape architects their own seal provision. It names both credentials in one sentence and applies one rule to both, with one small asymmetry in the drafting: technical submissions are covered where they are prepared by or under the direct supervision of a licensed architect, and where they are prepared under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. Read the current text before relying on that difference.
Which documents must be sealed
Technical submissions prepared under the direct supervision of the licensed landscape architect. Section 225 defines direct supervision of a technical submission as personal knowledge of the submission and direct knowledge of involvement with and control over its preparation, with portions supervised by other Maine licensed professionals treated as under the licensee’s direct supervision where the licensee has reviewed them, coordinated their preparation and is responsible for their adequacy. 02-288 C.M.R. ch. 18 s. 1 applies the same two-route test to landscape architects as to architects for sealing work prepared by another person, and s. 2 requires the licensee who integrates another person’s work to retain and make available to the board, for at least five years following signing and sealing, adequate and complete records demonstrating the nature and extent of the review and integration. Section 226 carries the statutory exceptions.
Electronic and digital seals
Maine addresses reliance rather than technology. Chapter 18 s. 3 allows a landscape architect to rely on technical submissions in electronic form, including the seals reproduced on them, to the same extent as their physical counterparts. No digital signature criteria, certificate authority, cryptographic standard or stripping language appears in 02-288 C.M.R. or in 32 M.R.S. ch. 3-A. The sources here are chapter 18 in full, including its source note, repealed and replaced 15 September 2023 by filing 2023-154.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
The statute kills the seal with the license: it is unlawful to stamp or seal any documents with the seal after the license named on the seal has expired or has been revoked, unless the license has been renewed or reissued. The phrase the license named on the seal presupposes that the license is identified on the face. Denial or refusal to renew and disciplinary action sit at 32 M.R.S. § 218. Note that the continuing education rule at 02-288 C.M.R. ch. 19, effective 1 July 2026, is adopted for architects; take the landscape architect continuing education position from the board. Not addressed: whether the license number changes on reissuance and whether the device must be surrendered or destroyed.
Firm requirements
Not applicable. 32 M.R.S. § 220-C limits a license under chapter 3-A to individuals, and the chapter contains no certificate of authorization, firm registration or firm seal provision. Documents carry the individual landscape architect’s seal only.
What to check before you order
Ask the board for the seal design it authorizes and directs, because 32 M.R.S. § 225 delegates the design entirely and neither the statute nor 02-288 C.M.R. prescribes a size, a legend or a layout. Buy an inked stamp, since the statute speaks of stamping and the board’s rules contemplate seals reproduced on PDFs. Stamp technical submissions prepared under your direct supervision, and stop the day the license named on the seal expires or is revoked. If you seal work another person prepared, you must have been involved before completion and must keep records of your review and integration for at least five years. In advertising, promotional materials, correspondence and business cards, use the legend Maine Licensed Landscape Architect.
Browse landscape architect stamps and seals.
Frequently asked questions
Is a seal required for landscape architects in Maine?
Yes. 32 M.R.S. § 225 requires each licensed architect or landscape architect to obtain a seal of such design as the board authorizes and directs, and provides that technical submissions prepared under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect “must be stamped with the seal during the life of the licensee’s license.”
What has to appear on a Maine landscape architect seal?
Neither the statute nor the rules say. The design is delegated to the board, and 02-288 C.M.R. chapters 10, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18 prescribe no legend, element list or layout. The board’s Display of Legend guidance requires the words Maine Licensed Landscape Architect in advertising, promotional materials, correspondence and business cards, which is a marketing legend rather than a seal specification, though it is the best published indication of how Maine words this credential. Ask the board for the authorized design. Acorn’s own production artwork carries LICENSED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT on the upper arc, STATE OF MAINE on the lower arc, a star at each side, the name in the center with the license number beneath it in the form No. 0000, a dotted inner ring and a plain double outer border. That is what we cut, not a published specification.
What size is a Maine landscape architect seal?
No diameter, shape or proportion appears in 32 M.R.S. ch. 3-A or in 02-288 C.M.R. The 1 3/4 inch figure published by the separate Maine State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers is that board’s guidance for engineers and does not transfer to a landscape architect. Acorn’s own production artwork for this seal is built to a 1-3/4 inch nominal circle, on the same plate construction as the Maine architect seal from the same board. That is our production record rather than a published rule, so the board remains the authority if it later publishes a figure.
Stamp or embosser in Maine?
Section 225 speaks of technical submissions being stamped with the seal and names no device. The board’s chapter 18 s. 3 does contemplate seals reproduced on electronic documents: “An architect, landscape architect or certified interior designer may rely upon technical submissions in electronic form (e.g., portable document format), including the seals reproduced thereon, to the same extent as their physical counterparts.” An inked stamp cut to the board’s authorized design is the safe buy.
Does Maine require a signature and date with the seal?
Section 225 requires the seal and says nothing about a signature, a date or placement. The contrast inside the same board is worth noting: certified interior designers must sign with a certification of licensure, the license number and the date under § 225-A, while landscape architects are given a stamping duty alone. Sign and date as a matter of practice.
Which Maine documents have to be sealed?
Technical submissions prepared under the direct supervision of the licensed landscape architect. Section 225 defines direct supervision of a technical submission as personal knowledge of the submission and direct knowledge of involvement with and control over its preparation, with portions supervised by other Maine licensed professionals treated as under your direct supervision where you have reviewed them, coordinated their preparation and are responsible for their adequacy. Section 226 carries the statutory exceptions.
Can I seal another person’s work in Maine?
Only on the terms in chapter 18. 02-288 C.M.R. ch. 18 s. 1 applies the same two-route test to landscape architects as to architects, and s. 2 requires the licensee who integrates another person’s work to retain and make available to the board, for at least five years following signing and sealing, adequate and complete records demonstrating the nature and extent of the review and integration. A bare review of completed work is expressly declared not to meet the standard.
Can I rely on an electronic seal in Maine?
Maine addresses reliance rather than technology. Chapter 18 s. 3 lets a landscape architect rely on technical submissions in electronic form, including the seals reproduced on them, to the same extent as their physical counterparts. No digital signature criteria, certificate authority, cryptographic standard or stripping language appears in 02-288 C.M.R. or in 32 M.R.S. ch. 3-A. Chapter 18 was repealed and replaced 15 September 2023 by filing 2023-154.
What happens to a Maine seal when the license expires?
The statute kills the seal with the license: it is unlawful to stamp or seal any documents with the seal after the license named on the seal has expired or has been revoked, unless the license has been renewed or reissued. Denial or refusal to renew and disciplinary action sit at 32 M.R.S. § 218. The continuing education rule at 02-288 C.M.R. ch. 19, effective 1 July 2026, is adopted for architects, so take the landscape architect continuing education position from the board. Whether the license number changes on reissuance, and whether the device must be surrendered or destroyed, are not addressed.
Does a Maine landscape architecture firm need a seal?
No. 32 M.R.S. § 220-C limits a license under chapter 3-A to individuals, and the chapter contains no certificate of authorization, firm registration or firm seal provision. Documents carry the individual landscape architect’s seal only.
