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 Landscape Architects, administered by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification and N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(a) on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
Twelve leaves encircle the seal, and they bring the outside diameter to 1 7/8 inches. Lsa 305.03(b) is explicit: “The seal shall consist of 2 concentric circles with the outer circle having a diameter of 1- 5/8 inches and the inner circle diameter of 1-1/4 inches,” and “The entire seal shall be encircled by 12 leaves bringing the outside diameter to 1 7/8 inches.” The leaves are a prescribed element rather than ornament, so count them on the proof, and order to the 1 7/8 inch overall figure. That number is not shared with any other New Hampshire design credential: architects are 1-9/16 inches, land surveyors are square at 1-9/16 inches, and geologists are 1-5/8 inches with no border.
The application rule is split in a way no other New Hampshire design board copies. Lsa 305.03(a) provides that the seal “may be affixed, at the discretion of the landscape architect, on plans, maps, and reports prepared by the licensee, but shall be affixed to all documents issued or filed for public record.” You have a real choice on some deliverables and none on others.
This is also the only one of New Hampshire’s four design boards whose rule names a digital seal. Lsa 305.03(a) permits an impression type seal, a digital seal or a rubber stamp, where the architect rule at Arch 306.02(a), the land surveyor rule at Lan 305.03(a) and the geologist rule at Geo 307.03(a) each name only an impression type seal or a rubber stamp.
New Hampshire landscape architect seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | New Hampshire rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Conditional | N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(a) |
| Required elements | Licensed Landscape Architect across the top of the space between the circles; 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; Twelve leaves encircling the entire seal | N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(b) |
| Size and shape | Concentric circles of one and five-eighths inches and one and one-quarter inches, inside a leaf border reaching one and seven-eighths inches overall. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(b) (source ss by #13849, eff 3-10-24) |
| Device allowed | Three devices, and this is the only New Hampshire design board that names a digital seal. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(a) |
| Signature and date | RSA 310-A:152 requires all landscape architecture documents prepared for public record to include the date, the signature and the seal of the responsible licensed professional. | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 310-A:152 |
| What must be sealed | Mandatory on documents issued or filed for public record; discretionary on plans, maps and reports. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(a), (c) |
| Electronic seal | New Hampshire authorizes a digital seal for this profession and names no technology. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(a), (b) |
| Renewal and lapse | Voluntary surrender is a sealing disqualifier here, which it is not in the other three New Hampshire rules. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(c), Lsa 401.01 |
| Firm requirements | Not addressed in the seal rule. | N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03 (no firm element) |
| Regulator | The New Hampshire Board of Landscape Architects, administered by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 310-A:152 (Certificates |
Is a seal required in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire splits the duty by document type, which is unusual. N.H. Code Admin. R. Lsa 305.03(a) provides that the board shall require a licensee to acquire an impression type seal, digital seal or rubber stamp of the prescribed design bearing the licensee’s name and number, and then says where it goes: “This seal may be affixed, at the discretion of the landscape architect, on plans, maps, and reports prepared by the licensee, but shall be affixed to all documents issued or filed for public record.” The statute at RSA 310-A:152 backs that with the general rule that all landscape architecture documents prepared for public record must include the date, signature and seal of the responsible licensed professional.
What must appear on the seal
- Licensed Landscape Architect across the top of the space between the circles
- 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
- Twelve leaves encircling the entire seal
The twelve leaves are a prescribed element, not ornament: Lsa 305.03(b) provides that “The entire seal shall be encircled by 12 leaves bringing the outside diameter to 1 7/8 inches.” Count them. The legend is Licensed Landscape Architect over State of New Hampshire, without the definite article the architect rule uses. The name and number are the ones shown on the license. Nothing about a firm, a discipline or an expiry date is authorized.
Size and shape
Concentric circles of one and five-eighths inches and one and one-quarter inches, inside a leaf border reaching one and seven-eighths inches overall. Lsa 305.03(b): “The seal shall consist of 2 concentric circles with the outer circle having a diameter of 1- 5/8 inches and the inner circle diameter of 1-1/4 inches,” and the twelve-leaf border brings the outside diameter to 1 7/8 inches. That overall figure is the one a supplier needs, and it is not shared with any other New Hampshire design credential: architects are 1-9/16 inches, land surveyors are square at 1-9/16 inches, and geologists are 1-5/8 inches with no border.
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
Three devices, and this is the only New Hampshire design board that names a digital seal. Lsa 305.03(a) permits an impression type seal, a digital seal or a rubber stamp. The architect rule at Arch 306.02(a), the land surveyor rule at Lan 305.03(a) and the geologist rule at Geo 307.03(a) each name only an impression type seal or a rubber stamp. The safe buy is a rubber stamp at the full 1 7/8 inch outside diameter, with a digital seal of the same design for electronic deliverables.
Signing and dating
RSA 310-A:152 requires all landscape architecture documents prepared for public record to include the date, the signature and the seal of the responsible licensed professional. Lsa 305.03 prescribes the device and its application and does not add a placement rule, so the signature need not cross the impression. Not addressed in the rule: whether the date is the date of signing or the date of issue.
Twelve leaves, and the seal is optional on plans but mandatory on public records
Lsa 305.03(b) prescribes a border that a supplier will not guess: “The entire seal shall be encircled by 12 leaves bringing the outside diameter to 1 7/8 inches.” The concentric circles inside are 1-5/8 and 1-1/4 inches. Order to the 1 7/8 inch overall figure, and count the leaves on the proof.
Which documents must be sealed
Mandatory on documents issued or filed for public record; discretionary on plans, maps and reports. Lsa 305.03(a) draws that line expressly. Lsa 305.03(c) then sets the prohibitions in the strongest terms of the four New Hampshire boards: stamping or sealing after the license has expired, been suspended, revoked or surrendered voluntarily is a violation of the rules, of RSA 310-A:152, and is a misdemeanour; and stamping or sealing documents not prepared by the licensee personally or under the licensee’s direct supervision is likewise a violation and a misdemeanour.
Electronic and digital seals
New Hampshire authorizes a digital seal for this profession and names no technology. Lsa 305.03(a) lists a digital seal alongside an impression type seal and a rubber stamp, and states no certificate authority, cryptographic standard, verification criteria or stripping language. The design requirements in Lsa 305.03(b), including the twelve-leaf border and the 1 7/8 inch outside diameter, apply to the digital image as to the physical device.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
Voluntary surrender is a sealing disqualifier here, which it is not in the other three New Hampshire rules. Lsa 305.03(c) provides that stamping or sealing after the license has expired, has been suspended, revoked or surrendered voluntarily is a violation of the rules and of RSA 310-A:152 and is a misdemeanour. The statute makes it a class B misdemeanour to use the seal after licensure expiration or revocation unless the license has been renewed, reinstated or reissued. Renewals sit at Lsa 401.01 under RSA 310:8. Not addressed: whether the license number changes on reinstatement and whether the device must be surrendered with the license.
Firm requirements
Not addressed in the seal rule. Lsa 305.03 limits the face to the two legends, the licensee’s name and number and the leaf border, and puts no firm name or firm number on it. The sources here are Lsa 305.03 in full. Compare New Hampshire architecture, where Arch 307.01 requires business organizations offering architectural services to meet the requirements of RSA 310-A:42-a. Take any landscape architecture business organization requirement from the board rather than by analogy.
What to check before you order
Order an impression type seal, a digital seal or a rubber stamp with two concentric circles, the outer 1-5/8 inches and the inner 1-1/4 inches, and the whole device encircled by twelve leaves bringing the outside diameter to 1 7/8 inches. Across the top of the space between the circles put Licensed Landscape Architect, and across the bottom State of New Hampshire; inside the inner circle put your full name and license number, written horizontally. Order to the 1 7/8 inch overall diameter and check the leaf count on the proof. You may seal plans, maps and reports at your discretion, and you must seal every document issued or filed for public record, with the date and your signature. Stop the day the license expires, is suspended, is revoked or you surrender it voluntarily.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a seal required for landscape architects in New Hampshire?
On public records, yes; on plans, maps and reports, it is your call. Lsa 305.03(a) requires the board to have a licensee acquire an impression type seal, digital seal or rubber stamp of the prescribed design bearing the licensee’s name and number, and then splits the duty: discretionary on plans, maps and reports prepared by the licensee, mandatory on all documents issued or filed for public record. RSA 310-A:152 backs that with the general rule that all landscape architecture documents prepared for public record must include the date, signature and seal of the responsible licensed professional.
What has to appear on a New Hampshire landscape architect seal?
Five things under Lsa 305.03(b): Licensed Landscape Architect across the top of the space between the circles, 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, and twelve leaves encircling the entire seal. The name and number are the ones shown on the license. Nothing about a firm, a discipline or an expiry date is authorized.
What size is a New Hampshire landscape architect seal?
Concentric circles of 1-5/8 inches and 1-1/4 inches inside a twelve-leaf border that brings the outside diameter to 1 7/8 inches. The overall 1 7/8 inch figure is the one your supplier needs, since the leaf border is part of the prescribed design.
Can New Hampshire landscape architects use a digital seal?
Yes, and they are the only New Hampshire design profession whose rule says so. Lsa 305.03(a) lists a digital seal alongside an impression type seal and a rubber stamp. The rule states no certificate authority, cryptographic standard, verification criteria or stripping language. The design requirements in Lsa 305.03(b), including the twelve-leaf border and the 1 7/8 inch outside diameter, apply to the digital image exactly as they do to the physical device.
Which device is the practical buy in New Hampshire?
A rubber stamp at the full 1 7/8 inch outside diameter, with a digital seal of the same design for electronic deliverables. All three forms are lawful, but the seal has to read on documents filed for public record.
Does New Hampshire require a signature and date?
RSA 310-A:152 requires all landscape architecture documents prepared for public record to include the date, the signature and the seal of the responsible licensed professional. Lsa 305.03 prescribes the device and its application and adds no placement rule, so the signature need not cross the impression. Whether the date is the date of signing or the date of issue is not addressed in the rule.
Which New Hampshire documents have to be sealed?
All documents issued or filed for public record, mandatorily. Plans, maps and reports prepared by the licensee are discretionary, under Lsa 305.03(a). That express split is unusual, and it is worth reading the subsection itself rather than assuming the usual all-or-nothing rule.
What does New Hampshire prohibit?
Lsa 305.03(c) sets the prohibitions in the strongest terms of the four New Hampshire boards. Stamping or sealing after the license has expired, been suspended, revoked or surrendered voluntarily is a violation of the rules, of RSA 310-A:152, and is a misdemeanour. Stamping or sealing documents not prepared by the licensee personally or under the licensee’s direct supervision is likewise a violation and a misdemeanour.
Why does voluntary surrender matter in New Hampshire?
Because it is a sealing disqualifier here and is not one in the other three New Hampshire rules. Lsa 305.03(c) names voluntary surrender alongside expiration, suspension and revocation. The statute makes it a class B misdemeanour to use the seal after licensure expiration or revocation unless the license has been renewed, reinstated or reissued. Renewals sit at Lsa 401.01 under RSA 310:8. Whether the license number changes on reinstatement, and whether the device must be surrendered with the license, are not addressed.
Does a New Hampshire landscape architecture firm need anything on the seal?
No. Lsa 305.03 limits the face to the two legends, your name and number and the leaf border, and puts no firm name or firm number on it. Compare New Hampshire architecture, where Arch 307.01 requires business organizations offering architectural services to meet the requirements of RSA 310-A:42-a. Take any landscape architecture business organization requirement from the board rather than by analogy.
