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 Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and Tex. Occ. Code §§ 1053.058, 1053.160 on 21 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026
Your seal is the board’s own design with one line changed, at least one and one half inches across. Occupations Code § 1053.058(b) provides that the seal “must be the same as the design used by the board, except that the words ‘Registered Interior Designer, State of Texas’ must be used instead of ‘Texas Board of Architectural Examiners.’” 22 Texas Administrative Code § 5.112(b) attaches the sample figure and permits only your name and registration number to be substituted: REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER arched across the top, STATE OF TEXAS across the bottom, a star at each side, your name in the inner ring and the Texas star at the center above the number. It is the same star device architects and landscape architects carry.
The sealing duty is as wide as an architect’s. Section 1053.160(a) requires you to stamp or impress the seal “on each drawing or specification issued from the interior designer’s office for use in this state,” and § 5.111 gives a document issued from the office exactly two lawful states: sealed, signed and dated under § 5.113(a), or labeled and marked not for regulatory approval, permitting or construction under § 5.113(b). There is no quiet third option.
Buy ink rather than a dry embosser. Section 5.112(a) requires a seal that produces a clearly visible and legible image when the document is copied or reproduced, and bars an impression or embossing seal on a document requiring a seal unless it meets the same test. The same image serves for electronic sealing under § 5.112(c).
Texas interior designer seal requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Texas rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seal required | Yes | Tex. Occ. Code §§ 1053.058, 1053.160 |
| Required elements | Registered Interior Designer around the top of the outer band; State of Texas around the bottom of the outer band; Your name as registered, in the inner ring; Your registration number, below the star; The Texas star at the center of the seal | Tex. Occ. Code § 1053.058 |
| Size and shape | No smaller than one and one half inches in diameter. | 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 5.112(b) |
| Device allowed | Rubber stamp, impression seal or electronic image, subject to the reproduction test. | 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 5.112(a), (c) |
| Signature and date | Seal, signature and date. | 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 5.113(a) |
| What must be sealed | Construction Documents, sheet by sheet. | 22 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 5.111, 5.113(a), (b) |
| Electronic seal | Permitted, with no named technology and an explicit rule for the marks. | 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 5.112(c) |
| Renewal and lapse | Registration is annual and the seal carries no date, so the device outlives each renewal and the registration number does not change. | 22 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 5.113(c), 5.114 |
| Firm requirements | Discretionary and not a seal element. | Tex. Occ. Code § 1051.306 |
| Regulator | The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners | Tex. Occ. Code ch. 1053, principally §§ 1053.058 and 1053.160, with the firm registration power at § 1051.306 |
Is a seal required in Texas?
Texas is one of the minority of states that registers interior designers, and it gives them a seal on the same footing as architects. Occupations Code section 1053.160(a) provides that an interior designer “shall maintain a seal described by Section 1053.058 and shall stamp or impress the seal on each drawing or specification issued from the interior designer’s office for use in this state.” Section 1053.058(b) fixes the design: it “must be the same as the design used by the board, except that the words ‘Registered Interior Designer, State of Texas’ must be used instead of ‘Texas Board of Architectural Examiners.’” The Board rules are 22 Texas Administrative Code chapter 5, subchapter F, where section 5.111 bars issuing a regulated document unless it is sealed, signed and dated under section 5.113(a) or labeled and marked not for regulatory approval, permitting or construction under section 5.113(b).
What must appear on the seal
- Registered Interior Designer around the top of the outer band
- State of Texas around the bottom of the outer band
- Your name as registered, in the inner ring
- Your registration number, below the star
- The Texas star at the center of the seal
Section 5.112(b) requires the design to be the same as the sample seal shown in the subsection, with only the registered interior designer’s name and registration number substituted. The attached figure is the same Texas device used by architects and landscape architects, with REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER arched across the top and STATE OF TEXAS across the bottom, a star at each side, the name in an inner ring and the Texas star at the center above the number. No firm name, no NCIDQ or certification lettering, no expiration date and no discipline line.
Size and shape
No smaller than one and one half inches in diameter. Section 5.112(b) sets the same floor as the architect and landscape architect seals, and states no ceiling. Section 5.112(a) supplies the real test, which is legibility when the document is copied or reproduced.
Embosser, rubber stamp or digital
Rubber stamp, impression seal or electronic image, subject to the reproduction test. Section 5.112(a) requires a seal that produces a clearly visible and legible image when the document is copied or reproduced, and bars an impression or embossing seal on a document requiring a seal unless it meets the same test. Section 5.112(c) permits electronic issuance and provides that the seal, signature and date of signing “may be affixed electronically or through any other means selected by the Registered Interior Designer as long as the seal, signature, and date will produce a clearly visible and legible image on any copy or reproduction of the document to which they are affixed.” The safe buy is an inked stamp.
Signing and dating
Seal, signature and date. Section 5.113(a)(1) requires the seal, the signature “(across the face of the seal’s image or directly under or adjacent to the seal’s image)” and “the date of signing (including the month, day, and year) before the Construction Document is issued by or under the authority of the Registered Interior Designer.” Section 5.113(a)(2) requires all three to be clearly visible and legible on each copy and forbids the signature and date to conceal or obscure the name or registration number on the seal.
A Texas interior designer seals construction documents like an architect
In most of the country an interior designer either has no state credential at all or has a title certification with no seal. Texas registers interior designers and then runs them through the identical sealing machinery it applies to architects. Occupations Code section 1053.160(a) requires the seal on “each drawing or specification issued from the interior designer’s office for use in this state,” and 22 Texas Administrative Code section 5.113(a)(3) then lists the same four categories of Construction Documents the architect rule lists, down to the treatment of bound specification sets and addenda.
Which documents must be sealed
Construction Documents, sheet by sheet. Section 5.113(a)(3) requires the seal, signature and date on each sheet of drawings or its electronic equivalent; on each specification, with the seal in at least one conspicuous location on a bound grouping that carries a table of contents or index listing each individual specification, and individually on any specification sheet issued separately; on each sheet identifying the project and listing the sealed Construction Documents, such as a title sheet, table of contents or index; and on each Interior Design drawing and specification that is part of an addenda, change order, construction change directive or other Supplemental Document. Anything issued for another purpose takes the section 5.113(b) route with the name, the date and the clear marking that it may not be used for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.
Electronic and digital seals
Permitted, with no named technology and an explicit rule for the marks. Section 5.112(c) allows a regulated document to be issued electronically or in any other format the registered interior designer selects, and allows the seal, signature and date to be affixed electronically or by any other means so long as they produce a clearly visible and legible image on any copy or reproduction. No hash standard, certificate authority or product is named in chapter 5 subchapter F.
Renewal, lapse and retirement
Registration is annual and the seal carries no date, so the device outlives each renewal and the registration number does not change. Section 5.114 governs misuse: the seal may be affixed only to documents prepared by the registered interior designer or under that person’s Supervision and Control, only the registrant and persons with consent may use the seal or a copy or replica of it, and a Construction Document bearing the seal may not have the seal removed after issue. Section 5.113(c) requires the sealing registrant to maintain the sealed original or a legible copy for at least ten years from the date of signature. Subchapter F imposes no surrender or destruction duty.
Firm requirements
Discretionary and not a seal element. Occupations Code section 1051.306 permits, but does not require, the Board to adopt a rule registering a firm, partnership, corporation or association practicing architecture, landscape architecture or interior design. Chapter 5 subchapter F carries no firm element, and section 5.112(b) limits the face of the seal to the individual’s name and registration number.
What to check before you order
Order a circular seal at least one and one half inches across, cut to the sample figure attached to 22 Texas Administrative Code section 5.112(b): REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER arched across the top, STATE OF TEXAS across the bottom, a star at each side, your name as registered in the inner ring, the Texas star at the center and your registration number below it. Buy ink rather than a dry embosser, because the rule tests the image after copying. Leave off any firm name, certification lettering or expiration date. The same image serves for electronic sealing, where the seal, signature and date must still read clearly on any reproduction.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a seal required for a Texas registered interior designer?
Yes. Occupations Code § 1053.160(a) requires you to maintain a seal described by § 1053.058 and to stamp or impress it on each drawing or specification issued from your office for use in Texas. 22 Texas Administrative Code § 5.111 then bars issuing a regulated document unless it is either sealed, signed and dated, or clearly marked as not for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.
What has to appear on a Texas interior designer seal?
Five things, per § 1053.058 and the figure attached to § 5.112(b): REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER around the top of the outer band, STATE OF TEXAS around the bottom, your name as registered in the inner ring, your registration number below the star, and the Texas star at the center. No firm name, no NCIDQ or certification lettering, no expiration date and no discipline line.
What size is a Texas interior designer seal?
No smaller than one and one half inches in diameter, under § 5.112(b), which sets the same floor as the architect and landscape architect seals and states no ceiling. Section 5.112(a) supplies the real test, which is legibility when the document is copied or reproduced, so a slightly larger die is a reasonable hedge on sets that print at reduction.
Rubber stamp or impression seal in Texas?
Rubber stamp, for practical purposes. Section 5.112(a) requires a clearly visible and legible image on a copy or reproduction and bars an impression or embossing seal on a document requiring a seal unless it meets that test, which a dry emboss generally does not. Section 5.112(c) separately permits the seal, signature and date to be affixed electronically or by any other means you select, subject to the same legibility standard.
Can my signature cross the Texas seal?
Yes, and that is unusual. Section 5.113(a)(1) allows the signature “(across the face of the seal’s image or directly under or adjacent to the seal’s image)” along with “the date of signing (including the month, day, and year) before the Construction Document is issued.” Section 5.113(a)(2) sets the limit: all three must be clearly visible and legible on each copy, and the signature and date may not conceal or obscure the name or registration number on the seal.
Which Texas documents get the seal?
Construction Documents, sheet by sheet, under § 5.113(a)(3). That means each sheet of drawings or its electronic equivalent; each specification, with the seal in at least one conspicuous location on a bound grouping carrying a table of contents or index listing each individual specification, and individually on any specification sheet issued separately; each sheet identifying the project and listing the sealed Construction Documents, such as a title sheet, table of contents or index; and each Interior Design drawing and specification forming part of an addenda, change order, construction change directive or other Supplemental Document.
How do I issue an unsealed drawing in Texas?
Through § 5.113(b), which is the only other lawful route. The document carries your name, the date, and clear marking that it may not be used for regulatory approval, permitting or construction. Section 5.111 permits nothing in between those two states.
Can I seal Texas interior design documents electronically?
Yes, with no named technology. Section 5.112(c) allows a regulated document to be issued electronically or in any other format you select, and allows the seal, signature and date to be affixed electronically or by any other means “as long as the seal, signature, and date will produce a clearly visible and legible image on any copy or reproduction of the document to which they are affixed.” No hash standard, certificate authority or product is named in chapter 5 subchapter F.
How long do I have to keep sealed Texas documents?
Ten years. Section 5.113(c) requires the sealing registrant to maintain the sealed original or a legible copy for at least ten years from the date of signature.
What are the Texas rules on misuse of the seal?
Section 5.114 sets three limits. The seal may be affixed only to documents you prepared or that were prepared under your Supervision and Control. Only you, and persons with your consent, may use the seal or a copy or replica of it. And a Construction Document bearing the seal may not have the seal removed after issue.
Does my Texas seal change when I renew?
No. Registration is annual, the seal carries no date and the registration number does not change, so the device outlives each renewal. Subchapter F imposes no surrender or destruction duty.
Does my firm go on the Texas seal?
No. Section 5.112(b) limits the face to your name and registration number, and chapter 5 subchapter F carries no firm element at all. Occupations Code § 1051.306 permits, but does not require, the Board to adopt a rule registering a firm, partnership, corporation or association practicing architecture, landscape architecture or interior design.
