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 Utah Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Board, which acts with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing and Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1) on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
Circular, one and one-half inches minimum, and you sign across the face of every imprint. Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1)(a) gives a floor rather than a fixed figure and sets no ceiling, and subparagraph (c) is specific about the signature: “Each seal shall be signed and dated with the signature and date appearing across the face of each seal imprint.” Across, not adjacent. Keep the center of the die open enough to write through.
One rule covers professional engineers, professional structural engineers and professional land surveyors, and the only thing that changes on the face is which of the three titles appears: “Each seal shall include the licensee’s name, license number, ‘State of Utah’, and, as appropriate, ‘Professional Engineer’, ‘Professional Structural Engineer’, or ‘Professional Land Surveyor’.” Because the legend is chosen as appropriate, a dual-credentialed licensee cannot use one seal for two titles.
The device answer here is more generous than the Utah architect rule. Surveyors may use a wet stamp, an embossed seal or an electronically produced seal, while architects get no device sentence at all in R156-3a-601. That is exactly the kind of same-state divergence a shared template will flatten.
Utah land surveyor seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Utah rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Yes | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1) |
| Required elements | Your name as licensed, Your license number, The words State of Utah, The words Professional Land Surveyor and A circular seal | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1)(a), (b) |
| Size and shape | Circular, one and one-half inches minimum diameter. | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1)(a) |
| Device allowed | Three device classes are named and all are permitted: “A seal may be a wet stamp, embossed, or electronically produced.” An embosser is therefore lawful for the required seal in Utah surveying, which the architect rule does not address. | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1)(e) |
| Signature and date | Sign and date across the face of the seal. | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1)(c), (d), (f) |
| What must be sealed | All final plans, specifications, reports, maps, sketches, surveys, drawings, documents and plats prepared by the licensee or under the licensee’s supervision. | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1)(d), (g), (h), R156-22-502(1) |
| Electronic seal | An electronically produced seal is one of the three permitted forms and electronically generated signatures are acceptable. | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1)(e), (f), (g) |
| Renewal and lapse | Not addressed in the seal rule. | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-304, R156-22-305 |
| Firm requirements | Not addressed in the seal rule. | Utah Admin. Code R156-22-102(15), R156-22-302d(11), R156-22-502(2) |
| Regulator | The Utah Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Board, which acts with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing | Utah Admin. Code R156-22, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act Rule, read in full from the Utah Office of Administrative Rules, date of last change August 21, 2017 with notice of continuation May 19, 2022, in particular R156-22-102, R156-22-304, R156-22-305, R156-22-502 and R156-22-601 |
Is a seal required in Utah?
Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1): “In accordance with Section 58-22-601, all final plans, specifications, reports, maps, sketches, surveys, drawings, documents and plats prepared by the licensee or prepared under the supervision of the licensee, shall be sealed” in accordance with the eight subparagraphs that follow. The sweep is broad and it is stated as a duty on the licensee rather than on the person submitting the document.
What must appear on the seal
- Your name as licensed
- Your license number
- The words State of Utah
- The words Professional Land Surveyor
- A circular seal
The legend is the only element that varies within this rule: “Each seal shall include the licensee’s name, license number, ‘State of Utah’, and, as appropriate, ‘Professional Engineer’, ‘Professional Structural Engineer’, or ‘Professional Land Surveyor’.” A surveyor takes the third. Nothing provides for an expiration date, a discipline line or a firm name. One express prohibition sits at the end of the rule: R156-22-601(2) provides that a person who qualifies for and uses the title of professional engineer intern “is not permitted to use a seal.”
Size and shape
Circular, one and one-half inches minimum diameter. R156-22-601(1)(a) gives a floor rather than a fixed figure, and sets no ceiling. Utah applies the same minimum to architects at R156-3a-601(1), to landscape architects at R156-53-601 and to professional geologists at R156-76-601.
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
Three device classes are named and all are permitted: “A seal may be a wet stamp, embossed, or electronically produced.” An embosser is therefore lawful for the required seal in Utah surveying, which the architect rule does not address. The practical choice is a wet or self-inking stamp at one and one-half inches or larger, because the signature and date must appear across the face of each imprint and the copy rule at R156-22-601(1)(h) requires the seal, signature and date to be clearly recognizable on copies.
Signing and dating
Sign and date across the face of the seal. R156-22-601(1)(c): “Each seal shall be signed and dated with the signature and date appearing across the face of each seal imprint.” Across, not adjacent. Subparagraph (f) then allows the electronic route for the signature: “Electronically generated signatures are acceptable.” At minimum the cover or title sheet of each original set carries the original seal imprint, the original signature and the date under subparagraph (d).
One rule, three titles, and the intern seal prohibition is explicit
R156-22-601 covers professional engineers, professional structural engineers and professional land surveyors with a single specification, and the only thing that changes on the face of the die is which of the three titles appears. That makes Utah easy and makes one error easy: a dual-credentialed licensee cannot use one seal for two titles, because the rule says the legend is chosen “as appropriate.”
Which documents must be sealed
All final plans, specifications, reports, maps, sketches, surveys, drawings, documents and plats prepared by the licensee or under the licensee’s supervision. Each original set must at minimum have the original seal imprint, original signature and date on the cover or title sheet. Sheets subsequent to the cover of specifications are not required to be sealed, signed and dated. Copies of the original set that contain the original seal, signature and date are permitted “if the seal, signature and date is clearly recognizable.” R156-22-502(1) makes it unprofessional conduct to submit an incomplete final plan, specification, report or set of construction plans to a client who could reasonably expect it to be complete and final, or to a building official for a building permit.
Electronic and digital seals
An electronically produced seal is one of the three permitted forms and electronically generated signatures are acceptable. The rule attaches one duty and names no technology: “It is the responsibility of the licensee to provide adequate security when documents with electronic seals and electronic signatures are submitted.” No certificate authority, cryptographic standard or authentication process is prescribed. Note the verb, submitted, where the architect rule at R156-3a-601 says distributed.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
Not addressed in the seal rule. R156-22-601 says nothing about the device on expiration, lapse, inactive status or revocation. R156-22-305(1) requires an inactive licensee to certify that the licensee will not engage in the profession while inactive except to identify the individual as an inactive licensee, which reaches sealing. R156-22-304(8) governs continuing education for reinstatement. Nothing requires the seal to be destroyed or surrendered. Checked R156-22 in full.
Firm requirements
Not addressed in the seal rule. R156-22-601 creates no firm seal and no firm number on the face of a document. The rule’s firm-facing provisions are about supervision rather than devices: R156-22-302d(11)(a) provides that a person may not serve as a supervisor for more than one firm, and R156-22-102(15) defines responsible charge by a principal as personal accountability for the production of specified projects within an organization. R156-22-502(2) makes failing as a principal to exercise responsible charge unprofessional conduct.
What to check before you order
Order a circular stamp at least one and one-half inches in diameter carrying your name as licensed, your license number, the words State of Utah and the words Professional Land Surveyor. There is no maximum size. A wet stamp, an embossed seal or an electronically produced seal is permitted, and a wet or self-inking stamp is the practical choice because your signature and the date have to appear across the face of each imprint and must stay clearly recognizable on copies. At minimum the cover or title sheet of each original set carries the original imprint, original signature and date. If you hold more than one Utah credential you need a die for each, because the legend names one title, and an intern may not use a seal at all.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a seal required for land surveyors in Utah?
Yes, and the sweep is broad. Utah Admin. Code R156-22-601(1): “In accordance with Section 58-22-601, all final plans, specifications, reports, maps, sketches, surveys, drawings, documents and plats prepared by the licensee or prepared under the supervision of the licensee, shall be sealed” in accordance with the eight subparagraphs that follow. It is stated as a duty on the licensee rather than on the person submitting the document.
What has to appear on a Utah land surveyor seal?
Your name as licensed, your license number, the words State of Utah and the words Professional Land Surveyor, on a circular seal. Nothing provides for an expiration date, a discipline line or a firm name.
What size is a Utah land surveyor seal?
Circular with a one and one-half inch minimum diameter and no maximum. Utah applies the same minimum to architects at R156-3a-601(1), to landscape architects at R156-53-601 and to professional geologists at R156-76-601.
Wet stamp, embosser or electronic in Utah?
All three: “A seal may be a wet stamp, embossed, or electronically produced.” An embosser is lawful for the required seal in Utah surveying. The practical choice is a wet or self-inking stamp at one and one-half inches or larger, because the signature and date must appear across the face of each imprint and R156-22-601(1)(h) requires the seal, signature and date to be clearly recognizable on copies.
Does the signature go across the Utah seal?
Yes. R156-22-601(1)(c) requires the signature and date to appear across the face of each seal imprint. Subparagraph (f) then allows the electronic route for the signature: “Electronically generated signatures are acceptable.”
How much of a Utah set has to be sealed?
At minimum the cover or title sheet of each original set carries the original seal imprint, the original signature and the date, under subparagraph (d). Sheets subsequent to the cover of specifications are not required to be sealed, signed and dated. Copies of the original set that contain the original seal, signature and date are permitted “if the seal, signature and date is clearly recognizable.”
Can an intern use a seal in Utah?
No, and the rule says so flatly. R156-22-601(2) provides that a person who qualifies for and uses the title of professional engineer intern “is not permitted to use a seal.” Surveyor interns are in the same position by the structure of the licensing act, which licenses only the professional grade.
What does Utah require for electronic seals?
One duty and no named technology. An electronically produced seal is a permitted form and electronically generated signatures are acceptable, and the rule adds: “It is the responsibility of the licensee to provide adequate security when documents with electronic seals and electronic signatures are submitted.” No certificate authority, cryptographic standard or authentication process is prescribed. Note the verb, submitted, where the architect rule at R156-3a-601 says distributed.
What may I not submit in Utah?
Incomplete final work. R156-22-502(1) makes it unprofessional conduct to submit an incomplete final plan, specification, report or set of construction plans to a client who could reasonably expect it to be complete and final, or to a building official for a building permit.
What happens to my Utah seal if the license lapses?
The seal rule does not say. R156-22-601 is silent on the device on expiration, lapse, inactive status or revocation, and nothing requires it to be destroyed or surrendered. R156-22-305(1) requires an inactive licensee to certify that the licensee will not engage in the profession while inactive except to identify the individual as an inactive licensee, which reaches sealing, and R156-22-304(8) governs continuing education for reinstatement.
Does a Utah surveying firm need a seal?
No. R156-22-601 creates no firm seal and no firm number on the face of a document. The rule’s firm-facing provisions are about supervision rather than devices: R156-22-302d(11)(a) provides that a person may not serve as a supervisor for more than one firm, R156-22-102(15) defines responsible charge by a principal as personal accountability for the production of specified projects within an organization, and R156-22-502(2) makes failing as a principal to exercise responsible charge unprofessional conduct.
