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 Ohio State Board of Landscape Architect Examiners and Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4703.32, 4703.36(C) on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
Two words at the bottom: landscape architect. Rule 4703:1-3-01(A) requires “the words ‘state of Ohio’ at the top and ‘landscape architect’ at the bottom” of the annular space. Not registered landscape architect, which is what Pennsylvania, Texas and Illinois use, and not licensed landscape architect, which is California’s. Ohio’s own architect rule next door does say registered architect at rule 4703-3-01(A), so the two Ohio boards differ on this point inside an otherwise identical design.
The geometry is fixed twice over: “The seal shall be circular in shape and two inches in diameter. Concentric with the outside of the seal there shall be a circle one and three eighths inches in diameter.” Both figures are exact rather than ranges, and the inner circle is part of the specification. Your name and registration number go horizontally inside it, and nothing else appears on the face.
Ohio landscape architects carry no expiration date beside the seal. Rule 4703-3-01(B) requires an architect’s seal to be applied above a printed name, license number and license expiration date; rule 4703:1-3-01(B) requires only that the seal be applied “over an ink or electronic signature.” That is one less line to keep current.
Ohio landscape architect seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Ohio rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Yes | Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4703.32, 4703.36(C) |
| Required elements | state of Ohio at the top of the annular space; landscape architect at the bottom of the annular space; Your name, horizontally within the inner circle; Your registration number, horizontally within the inner circle | Ohio Admin. Code 4703:1-3-01(A) |
| Size and shape | Two inches in diameter, with a concentric inner circle of one and three eighths inches. | Ohio Admin. Code 4703:1-3-01(A) |
| Device allowed | Four device families by name: “The seal shall be either an individual embossing seal, rubber stamp seal, electronically generated seal or other reproducible facsimile.” The safe buy is a rubber or self. | Ohio Admin. Code 4703:1-3-01(A) |
| Signature and date | The seal goes over the signature, and there is no date requirement. | Ohio Admin. Code 4703:1-3-01(B) |
| What must be sealed | All plans, specifications, drawings and other documents prepared by or under the direct supervision of the landscape architect, under section 4703.36(C). | Ohio Rev. Code § 4703.36(C) |
| Electronic seal | Rule 4703:1-3-01(C) permits an electronic seal and signature in lieu of an original seal and signature on conditions that mirror the architect rule: a unique identification of the professional, verifiable, under the professional’s direct and sole control, linked to the document so that changes are readily determined and visually displayed if any data in the file was changed after affixing, and with a graphic image readily available and produced in a manner acceptable to the board, containing the same wording and having substantially the same graphic appearance and size as the physical seal. | Ohio Admin. Code 4703:1-3-01(B), (C) |
| Renewal and lapse | Registration runs to a fixed calendar date. | Ohio Rev. Code § 4703.36 |
| Firm requirements | Required. Section 4703.36(D) addresses certificates of authorization for landscape architecture, and section 4703.331 covers offering services through an authorized business entity. Ohio Administrative Code rule. | Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4703.331, 4703.36(D) |
| Regulator | The Ohio State Board of Landscape Architect Examiners | Ohio Rev. Code ch. 4703, landscape architect sections, principally §§ 4703.32 (Use of titles |
Is a seal required in Ohio?
Ohio Revised Code section 4703.36(C) states the duty: “Each person registered by the board shall secure a seal of the design prescribed by the board. All plans, specifications, drawings, and other documents prepared by, or under the direct supervision of, the landscape architect shall be imprinted with the seal in accordance with the requirements of the board.” The board has prescribed that design in Ohio Administrative Code rule 4703:1-3-01(A), which ties the imprinting duty back to section 4703.32 of the Revised Code.
What must appear on the seal
- state of Ohio at the top of the annular space
- landscape architect at the bottom of the annular space
- Your name, horizontally within the inner circle
- Your registration number, horizontally within the inner circle
The legend is shorter than every comparator, and that is the detail to get right. Rule 4703:1-3-01(A) requires “the words ‘state of Ohio’ at the top and ‘landscape architect’ at the bottom” of the annular space. Not registered landscape architect, which is what Pennsylvania, Texas and Illinois all use, and not licensed landscape architect, which is California’s. Ohio’s own architect rule next door does say registered architect at rule 4703-3-01(A), so the two Ohio boards differ on this point within an otherwise identical design. The name and registration number go horizontally inside the inner circle and nothing else appears on the face.
Size and shape
Two inches in diameter, with a concentric inner circle of one and three eighths inches. Rule 4703:1-3-01(A) uses the same construction as the Ohio architect seal: “The seal shall be circular in shape and two inches in diameter. Concentric with the outside of the seal there shall be a circle one and three eighths inches in diameter.” Both figures are fixed rather than ranges, and the inner circle is part of the specification.
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
Four device families by name: “The seal shall be either an individual embossing seal, rubber stamp seal, electronically generated seal or other reproducible facsimile.” The safe buy is a rubber or self inking stamp at two inches, because the imprinting duty reaches drawings and contract documents that circulate as prints, on which a dry embossed impression does not read.
Signing and dating
The seal goes over the signature, and there is no date requirement. Rule 4703:1-3-01(B) provides that “The application of the seal over an ink or electronic signature to the first sheet of bound sets of drawings (with index of drawings included), title page of specifications and to other drawings and contract documents shall constitute the landscape architect stamp as referred to in division (D) of section 4703.32 of the Revised Code.” The rule then defines signature as a handwritten identification containing the name of the person who applied it, or for electronic or digital documents an electronic authentication process attached to or logically associated with the document, which must be unique to and under the sole control of the person using it, capable of verification, and linked to the document so that the digital signature is invalidated if any data on the document is altered. Note what is absent: unlike the Ohio architect rule at 4703-3-01(B), the landscape architect rule does not require a printed name, license number and license expiration date beneath the seal.
Two words at the bottom, and the seal sits over the signature
Ohio’s landscape architect seal is built to the same geometry as its architect seal, two inches outside with a one and three eighths inch concentric circle, and then differs in exactly one respect that matters when the die is cut. Rule 4703:1-3-01(A) puts “landscape architect” at the bottom of the annular space. Two words. The architect rule at 4703-3-01(A) says registered architect. Texas, Pennsylvania and Illinois all say registered landscape architect and California says licensed landscape architect. A template carrying registered landscape architect does not match the Ohio rule.
Which documents must be sealed
All plans, specifications, drawings and other documents prepared by or under the direct supervision of the landscape architect, under section 4703.36(C). Rule 4703:1-3-01(B) sets the placement: the first sheet of bound sets of drawings with the index of drawings included, the title page of specifications, and other drawings and contract documents. Rule 4703:1-3-01(A) limits the imprint to documents prepared by the landscape architect or under the landscape architect’s direct supervision for use in the state of Ohio. The requirement that the bound set include an index of drawings is a small but real condition on using a single first sheet imprint.
Electronic and digital seals
Rule 4703:1-3-01(C) permits an electronic seal and signature in lieu of an original seal and signature on conditions that mirror the architect rule: a unique identification of the professional, verifiable, under the professional’s direct and sole control, linked to the document so that changes are readily determined and visually displayed if any data in the file was changed after affixing, and with a graphic image readily available and produced in a manner acceptable to the board, containing the same wording and having substantially the same graphic appearance and size as the physical seal. Rule 4703:1-3-01(B) supplies the digital signature tests. No named technology, certificate authority or federal standard.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
Registration runs to a fixed calendar date. Section 4703.36 provides that registration authorizes practice as a landscape architect in Ohio “until the last day of December of each even-numbered calendar year,” unless revoked or suspended, with renewal conducted under the standard license renewal procedure in Ohio Revised Code chapter 4745 and a continuing education showing. Because rule 4703:1-3-01 puts no expiration date on or beside the seal, the device is unaffected by the renewal cycle and the registration number does not change. Neither section 4703.36 nor chapter 4703:1-3 requires the seal to be surrendered or destroyed.
Firm requirements
Required. Section 4703.36(D) addresses certificates of authorization for landscape architecture, and section 4703.331 covers offering services through an authorized business entity. Ohio Administrative Code rule 4703:1-3-02 carries the landscape architecture firms rule and rule 4703:1-3-03 the firm names rule, with rule 4703:1-3-06 requiring a resident landscape architect. The firm has no seal of its own, and rule 4703:1-3-01(A) closes the face of the device to the two legends, the individual’s name and the registration number, so no certificate of authorization number belongs on it.
What to check before you order
Order a circular seal exactly two inches in diameter with a concentric inner circle one and three eighths inches across. In the ring between them, state of Ohio at the top and landscape architect at the bottom. Two words at the bottom: do not add registered or licensed, which belong to other states and to the Ohio architect rule. Inside the inner circle, your name and your registration number set horizontally. Choose a rubber or self inking stamp rather than a dry embosser. You do not need an expiration date line, because the Ohio landscape architect rule asks only that the seal be applied over your ink or electronic signature.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a seal required for landscape architects in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio Revised Code § 4703.36(C): “Each person registered by the board shall secure a seal of the design prescribed by the board. All plans, specifications, drawings, and other documents prepared by, or under the direct supervision of, the landscape architect shall be imprinted with the seal in accordance with the requirements of the board.” The board has prescribed that design in Ohio Administrative Code rule 4703:1-3-01(A), which ties the imprinting duty back to § 4703.32.
What has to appear on an Ohio landscape architect seal?
The words state of Ohio at the top of the annular space, the words landscape architect at the bottom of it, and your name and registration number horizontally within the inner circle. Nothing else appears on the face.
What size is an Ohio landscape architect seal?
Two inches in diameter with a concentric inner circle of one and three eighths inches, under rule 4703:1-3-01(A). Both figures are fixed rather than ranges.
Embosser, stamp or electronic seal in Ohio?
Four device families by name: “The seal shall be either an individual embossing seal, rubber stamp seal, electronically generated seal or other reproducible facsimile.” A rubber or self inking stamp at two inches is the practical buy, because the imprinting duty reaches drawings and contract documents that circulate as prints, on which a dry embossed impression does not read.
Does the Ohio seal go over the signature?
Yes. Rule 4703:1-3-01(B): “The application of the seal over an ink or electronic signature to the first sheet of bound sets of drawings (with index of drawings included), title page of specifications and to other drawings and contract documents shall constitute the landscape architect stamp as referred to in division (D) of section 4703.32 of the Revised Code.” The rule states no separate date requirement.
Can one imprint cover a bound Ohio set?
Yes, with a condition: the first sheet has to include the index of drawings. Without the index, the single imprint does not do the work of the set. Rule 4703:1-3-01(B) also puts the seal on the title page of specifications and on other drawings and contract documents.
What counts as a signature in Ohio?
Rule 4703:1-3-01(B) defines it as a handwritten identification containing the name of the person who applied it, or, for electronic or digital documents, an electronic authentication process attached to or logically associated with the document, which must be unique to and under the sole control of the person using it, capable of verification, and linked to the document so that the digital signature is invalidated if any data on the document is altered.
Can I use an electronic seal in Ohio?
Yes, on conditions. Rule 4703:1-3-01(C) permits an electronic seal and signature in lieu of an original seal and signature where the seal is a unique identification of the professional, verifiable, under the professional’s direct and sole control, linked to the document so that changes are readily determined and visually displayed if any data in the file was changed after affixing, and with a graphic image readily available and produced in a manner acceptable to the board, containing the same wording and having substantially the same graphic appearance and size as the physical seal. No named technology, certificate authority or federal standard appears.
When does an Ohio landscape architect registration expire?
Section 4703.36 provides that registration authorizes practice “until the last day of December of each even-numbered calendar year,” unless revoked or suspended, with renewal under the standard license renewal procedure in Revised Code chapter 4745 and a continuing education showing. An Ohio architect certificate instead runs to the last day of December of the odd numbered year next succeeding issuance. Because rule 4703:1-3-01 puts no expiration date on or beside the seal, the device is unaffected by the renewal cycle and the registration number does not change.
Does an Ohio landscape architecture firm need a certificate of authorization?
Yes, and it gets no seal. Section 4703.36(D) addresses certificates of authorization for landscape architecture and § 4703.331 covers offering services through an authorized business entity, with rule 4703:1-3-02 carrying the firms rule, 4703:1-3-03 the firm names rule and 4703:1-3-06 the resident landscape architect requirement. Rule 4703:1-3-01(A) closes the face of the device to the two legends, your name and your registration number, so no certificate of authorization number belongs on it.
