The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners makes it extremely easy for architects to obtain and use their architectural seals and stamps. They post the images and files online that give the exact specifications for what is required and inform newly registered professionals to take the image to any company that can produce architectural seals and stamps. The following is a summary of what that image entails and the written guidelines included with it.
- Texas architectural seals and stamps must be comprised of concentric circles, with a total diameter no less than 1.5 inches. On average, most people use a seal that is 1 and 5/8 inches in diameter.
- A hollow rope pattern is used for the outermost border and the inner circle, which is set half or 5/8 of an inch in from the outer circle, has a solid rope pattern for its border.
- In the space between borders at the top, the words “Registered Architect” must be displayed, while two small and hollow five-pointed stars must act as divider decoration between the top and bottom halves. On the bottom half, the words, “State of Texas” must appear.
- Inside the center area of the seal, at the top should be the architect's name and at the bottom should be their registration number. In the very center, it should have a five-pointed star, per the style indicated by the board's standard for Texas architectural seals and stamps.
Laws Pertaining to Use of Texas Architectural Seals and Stamps
So long as the Texas architectural seals or stamps used in a project meet the visual requirements, they may be produced via rubber stamp, embossed sticker, or electronic reproduction. An architect must sign and seal each set of construction documents they complete, or that someone they directly supervised completes. This includes if they were completed electronically. The general rule of thumb given by the board on when to use Texas architectural seals and stamps on documents is if it will be used for obtaining a permit, regulation approval, or actual construction, then you must use your seal. If an architect that drafts a design, or wishes to use construction documents for a purpose other than those listed previously, they do not have to seal it, but they must note them clearly with “Not for regulatory approval, permitting, or construction”, which is the equivalent of voiding them. An architect may not by law, allow anyone other than themselves, or someone they supervised, to use their Texas architectural seals and stamps, or use them for a non-related profession to gain approval.
Best Place to get Texas Architectural Seals and Stamps
As Texas is very open with where it allows professionals to obtain their architectural seals and stamps, there are a lot of choices. The internet tends to offer the widest variety of suppliers, though choosing a good provider can seem a bit daunting. Acorn Sales, however, is one very reliable supply company that produces Texas architectural seals and stamps using the most up to date board approved designs. They offer the Texas seal in the required 1 and 5/8 inches sizing in a variety rubber hand stamps, self-inking, pre-inked, and embossers. One of the reasons that using a supplier like Acorn Sales is superior to using a larger, general focus company, is that an architect can rest assured that their documents will always be properly sealed, because seals and stamps are their specialties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Texas architectural seal requirements?
A Texas architectural seal must use concentric circles and be no smaller than 1.5 inches in diameter, with many architects using a 1-5/8 inch seal. It should include a hollow rope pattern on the outer border, a solid rope pattern on the inner border, “Registered Architect” on the top, “State of Texas” on the bottom, the architect’s name and registration number in the center, and a five-pointed star in the middle.
When do Texas architects have to use their seal and stamp?
An architect must sign and seal construction documents they complete or directly supervise, including electronic documents, when those documents will be used for permitting, regulatory approval, or actual construction. If documents are not intended for those purposes, they should be clearly marked “Not for regulatory approval, permitting, or construction.”
Are electronic Texas architectural seals and stamps allowed?
Yes. Texas allows seals and stamps to be produced and used as rubber stamps, embossed versions, stickers, or electronic reproductions, as long as they match the board’s required visual specifications. The key is that the seal still meets the official Texas design requirements.
What information must be shown on a Texas architect seal?
A Texas architect seal must show the architect’s name and registration number in the center area, with “Registered Architect” at the top and “State of Texas” at the bottom. It also needs the prescribed concentric circle layout, rope-style borders, stars, and the central five-pointed star.
Can someone else use my Texas architectural seal or stamp?
No. An architect may not allow anyone else to use their Texas architectural seal or stamp unless it is within the scope of work they directly supervised. Using a seal for an unrelated profession or letting another person use it for approval purposes is not permitted.
Where is the best place to buy Texas architectural seals and stamps?
The best place is a supplier that specializes in board-compliant architectural seals and stamps, because that helps ensure the design and sizing are correct. Acorn Sales is highlighted as a reliable option because they produce Texas architectural seals and stamps in the current approved design, including rubber, self-inking, pre-inked, and embosser options.
