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 New Hampshire Board of Architects, administered by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification and N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 310-A:44 on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
New Hampshire gives every design credential a different seal geometry, so nothing transfers. Architects get two concentric circles, the outer 1-9/16 inches and the inner 15/16 of an inch, under Arch 306.02(b). Land surveyors get two squares at 1-9/16 and 1-1/2 inches. Landscape architects get concentric circles at 1-5/8 and 1-1/4 inches inside a twelve-leaf border reaching 1 7/8 inches. Geologists get concentric circles at 1-5/8 and 1-1/4 inches. Four boards, four specifications, no overlap.
The wording and its placement are fixed too. Licensed Architect goes across the top of the space between the circles and The State of New Hampshire across the bottom, with your full name and license number inside the inner circle, written horizontally, exactly as shown on the license issued by the OPLC. Note the definite article: The State of New Hampshire, where the landscape architect rule at Lsa 305.03(b) and the geologist rule at Geo 307.03(b) both say State of New Hampshire without it. Arch 306.02(c) adds that the requirements shall be as illustrated in figure 3.1, so there is board artwork to match.
The architect rule was rewritten recently. Arch 306.02 carries the source note ss by #14553, eff 6-2-26, expiring 6-2-36, so guidance older than that date may be describing a superseded specification.
New Hampshire architect seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | New Hampshire rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Yes | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 310-A:44 |
| Required elements | Licensed Architect across the top of the space between the circles; The State of New Hampshire across the bottom of that space; Your full name inside the inner circle, written horizontally; Your license number inside the inner circle, written horizontally | N.H. Code Admin. R. Arch 306.02(b) |
| Size and shape | Two concentric circles, an outer circle of one and nine-sixteenths inches and an inner circle of fifteen sixteenths of an inch. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Arch 306.02(b) (source note ss by #14553, eff 6-2-26) |
| Device allowed | Two devices, named in the rule: “an impression type seal or rubber stamp.” Arch 306.02 names no computer generated or digital seal, which is a genuine difference from the New Hampshire landscape architect rule, where Lsa 305.03(a) expressly permits an impression type seal, a digital seal or a rubber stamp. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Arch 306.02(a) |
| Signature and date | Seal, signature and date, on everything filed for public record. | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 310-A:44 |
| What must be sealed | All papers or documents involving the practice of architecture prepared by the licensee and issued or filed for public record. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Arch 306.02(a), (d) |
| Electronic seal | Not addressed. Arch 306.02 names an impression type seal or a rubber stamp and contains no electronic or digital seal provision, no technology, no certificate authority and no verification standard. The sources here are. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Arch 306.02 (no electronic seal provision) |
| Renewal and lapse | Retired status kills the seal, and RSA 310-A:44 makes misuse a crime. | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 310-A:44 |
| Firm requirements | A business organization certificate of authorization is required and the individual seal still carries the document. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Arch 307.01 |
| Regulator | The New Hampshire Board of Architects, administered by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 310-A:44 (Certificates |
Is a seal required in New Hampshire?
RSA 310-A:44, headed Certificates; Seals, requires each licensee to obtain “a seal of the design authorized by the board, bearing the registrant’s name and the legend, ‘Licensed Architect,’” and provides that “all papers or documents involving the practice of a profession under this subdivision, when issued or filed for public record, shall be dated, and bear the signature and seal of the licensed professional.” The board rule at N.H. Code Admin. R. Arch 306.02(a) repeats and sharpens it: on issuance of an initial license the licensee shall acquire an impression type seal or rubber stamp of the design specified by the section, bearing the licensee’s name and number as shown on the license issued by the OPLC, and “This seal, signature of the licensee, and date shall be affixed on all papers or documents involving the practice of architecture prepared by the licensee issued or filed for public record.”
What must appear on the seal
- Licensed Architect across the top of the space between the circles
- The State of New Hampshire across the bottom of that space
- Your full name inside the inner circle, written horizontally
- Your license number inside the inner circle, written horizontally
Arch 306.02(b) fixes the words and their positions, and Arch 306.02(c) adds that the requirements “shall be as illustrated below in figure 3.1,” so there is board artwork to match. Note the legend wording: The State of New Hampshire, with the definite article, where the New Hampshire landscape architect rule at Lsa 305.03(b) says State of New Hampshire without it and the geologist rule at Geo 307.03(b) also says State of New Hampshire. The name and number must be as shown on the license issued by the OPLC. Nothing about a firm, a discipline or an expiry date is authorized.
Size and shape
Two concentric circles, an outer circle of one and nine-sixteenths inches and an inner circle of fifteen sixteenths of an inch. Arch 306.02(b): “The seal shall consist of 2 concentric circles with the outer circle having a diameter 1-9/16 inches and the inner circle diameter 15/16 of an inch.” New Hampshire gives each of its four design credentials a different geometry, so nothing transfers: land surveyors get squares of 1-9/16 and 1-1/2 inches under Lan 305.03(b), landscape architects concentric circles of 1-5/8 and 1-1/4 inches inside a leaf border reaching 1 7/8 inches under Lsa 305.03(b), and geologists concentric circles of 1-5/8 and 1-1/4 inches under Geo 307.03(b).
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
Two devices, named in the rule: “an impression type seal or rubber stamp.” Arch 306.02 names no computer generated or digital seal, which is a genuine difference from the New Hampshire landscape architect rule, where Lsa 305.03(a) expressly permits an impression type seal, a digital seal or a rubber stamp. The safe buy is a rubber stamp at the specified geometry, because the seal has to travel with a signature and a date on documents filed for public record.
Signing and dating
Seal, signature and date, on everything filed for public record. Both the statute and the rule state all three. RSA 310-A:44 requires papers or documents issued or filed for public record to be dated and to bear the signature and seal of the licensed professional, and Arch 306.02(a) requires the seal, the signature of the licensee and the date on all papers or documents involving the practice of architecture prepared by the licensee and issued or filed for public record. Neither states a placement rule requiring the signature to cross the impression.
Four New Hampshire design credentials, four different seal geometries
New Hampshire prescribes its seals in unusual detail and gives every profession a different shape. Architects: two concentric circles at 1-9/16 and 15/16 inches. Land surveyors: two squares at 1-9/16 and 1-1/2 inches with a transit in the middle. Landscape architects: concentric circles at 1-5/8 and 1-1/4 inches, encircled by twelve leaves bringing the outside diameter to 1 7/8 inches. Geologists: concentric circles at 1-5/8 and 1-1/4 inches with a crossed geological hammer and compass. Nothing transfers between them.
Which documents must be sealed
All papers or documents involving the practice of architecture prepared by the licensee and issued or filed for public record. Arch 306.02(d) then sets the two prohibitions: “It shall be misconduct for the licensee to stamp or seal any documents with their seal after the license has expired, been revoked, or suspended, or after the licensee has chosen retired status. It shall be misconduct for the licensee to stamp or seal any documents not prepared by the licensee personally or under their direct supervision.” Note that New Hampshire adds retired status to the usual list of expiration, revocation and suspension.
Electronic and digital seals
Not addressed. Arch 306.02 names an impression type seal or a rubber stamp and contains no electronic or digital seal provision, no technology, no certificate authority and no verification standard. The sources here are Arch 306.02 in full from the General Court rules site, including its source note. Contrast Lsa 305.03(a), which permits a digital seal for New Hampshire landscape architects. Treat an electronic New Hampshire architect seal as unverified rather than authorized, and confirm with the board.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
Retired status kills the seal, and RSA 310-A:44 makes misuse a crime. The statute provides that “It shall be a class B misdemeanor for the licensee to stamp or seal any documents with such seal after the license of the licensee has expired or has been revoked,” unless the license is renewed, reinstated or reissued. Arch 306.02(d) adds suspension and retired status to the list as professional misconduct. Not addressed: whether the license number changes on reinstatement and whether the device must be surrendered or destroyed. The sources here are Arch 306.02 in full and checked RSA 310-A:44.
Firm requirements
A business organization certificate of authorization is required and the individual seal still carries the document. N.H. Code Admin. R. Arch 307.01(a) provides that “Business organizations offering architectural services in New Hampshire shall meet the requirements established pursuant to RSA 310-A:42-a,” and Part Arch 307 is headed Architect Certificates for Business Organizations. The organization gets no seal of its own, and Arch 306.02(b) limits the face to the two legends, the licensee’s name and the license number.
What to check before you order
Order an impression type seal or a rubber stamp with two concentric circles, the outer 1-9/16 inches and the inner 15/16 of an inch, matching figure 3.1 in the board’s rules. Across the top of the space between the circles put the words Licensed Architect and across the bottom The State of New Hampshire; inside the inner circle put your full name and your license number, written horizontally, exactly as shown on the license issued by the OPLC. A rubber stamp is the practical choice, and note that the architect rule does not authorize a digital seal even though the New Hampshire landscape architect rule does. Affix the seal, your signature and the date on all papers or documents involving the practice of architecture that you prepare and that are issued or filed for public record. Stop the day the license expires, is revoked or suspended, or you take retired status.
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Frequently asked questions
Is an architect seal required in New Hampshire?
Yes. RSA 310-A:44 requires each licensee to obtain “a seal of the design authorized by the board, bearing the registrant’s name and the legend, ‘Licensed Architect,’” and provides that “all papers or documents involving the practice of a profession under this subdivision, when issued or filed for public record, shall be dated, and bear the signature and seal of the licensed professional.” Arch 306.02(a) repeats and sharpens it at the moment of initial licensure.
What has to appear on a New Hampshire architect seal?
Four elements in fixed positions under Arch 306.02(b): Licensed Architect across the top of the space between the circles, The State of New Hampshire across the bottom of that space, and your full name and license number inside the inner circle, written horizontally. The name and number must be as shown on the license issued by the OPLC. Nothing about a firm, a discipline or an expiry date is authorized.
What size is a New Hampshire architect seal?
Arch 306.02(b): “The seal shall consist of 2 concentric circles with the outer circle having a diameter 1-9/16 inches and the inner circle diameter 15/16 of an inch.” Exact figures, and different from every other New Hampshire design credential.
Can I use an embosser in New Hampshire?
Yes. Arch 306.02(a) names two devices, “an impression type seal or rubber stamp.” A rubber stamp at the specified geometry is the practical buy, because the seal has to travel with a signature and a date on documents filed for public record.
Can I use a digital seal in New Hampshire?
Arch 306.02 names an impression type seal or a rubber stamp and contains no electronic or digital seal provision, no technology, no certificate authority and no verification standard. That is a real difference from the New Hampshire landscape architect rule, where Lsa 305.03(a) expressly permits an impression type seal, a digital seal or a rubber stamp. Treat an electronic New Hampshire architect seal as unverified rather than authorized, and confirm with the board.
Do I have to date a New Hampshire sealed document?
Yes. Both the statute and the rule state all three items. RSA 310-A:44 requires papers or documents issued or filed for public record to be dated and to bear the signature and seal of the licensed professional, and Arch 306.02(a) requires the seal, the signature of the licensee and the date on all papers or documents involving the practice of architecture prepared by the licensee and issued or filed for public record. Neither states a placement rule requiring the signature to cross the impression.
Which documents have to be sealed in New Hampshire?
All papers or documents involving the practice of architecture prepared by the licensee and issued or filed for public record, under Arch 306.02(a).
Can a retired New Hampshire architect still seal?
No, and this is unusual. Arch 306.02(d) provides that “It shall be misconduct for the licensee to stamp or seal any documents with their seal after the license has expired, been revoked, or suspended, or after the licensee has chosen retired status.” Retired status joins the usual list. The same paragraph makes it misconduct to stamp or seal documents not prepared by the licensee personally or under their direct supervision.
What happens if I seal after my New Hampshire license expires?
It is a crime as well as misconduct. RSA 310-A:44 provides that “It shall be a class B misdemeanor for the licensee to stamp or seal any documents with such seal after the license of the licensee has expired or has been revoked,” unless the license is renewed, reinstated or reissued. Whether the license number changes on reinstatement, and whether the device must be surrendered or destroyed, is not stated in Arch 306.02 or RSA 310-A:44.
Does a New Hampshire architecture firm need a certificate?
Yes, and it gets no seal. Arch 307.01(a) provides that “Business organizations offering architectural services in New Hampshire shall meet the requirements established pursuant to RSA 310-A:42-a,” and Part Arch 307 is headed Architect Certificates for Business Organizations. The organization gets no seal of its own, and Arch 306.02(b) limits the face to the two legends, your name and your license number.
