If you are operating as an engineer in the state of Delaware, you are required by law to have an embossed seal that you will apply to your documents. It must be of a design that is authorized by the Council, and it must bear your name, license number, and the words “professional engineer.” The word “licensed,” however, should not appear on the seal.
If you wish, in Delaware you can use either a PE seal or a stamp, but keep in mind that this is in addition to the embossing seal. If you do use a rubber stamp or electronic seal, it must contain the same information as the embossing seal. The seal has to be 1 5/8 inches in diameter.
Your Obligations as the Holder of a Professional Engineering Seal
Once you are licensed as a professional engineer by the state of Delaware, you have to obtain your embossing seal within six months of the date that your license was approved. If you fail to do so, then the Council will place you in “delinquent” status, and you could be subject to disciplinary action.
Any final drawings, specifications and other documents that relate to your practice of engineering – in other words, your work product – when filed for public record must be dated, and bear both your signature and your seal. If you have original tracings that have been stamped or sealed, then the date of the stamping or sealing must appear beneath your signature.
Many states have very strict, highly complex procedures when it comes to stamping and sealing engineering documents. The state of Delaware does not demand all that much in comparison, essentially stating simply that you have to seal all your final documents, drawings and specifications, and affix your signature adjacent to the seal. This requirement for the
use of a Delaware PE seal or stamp also applies to anyone who holds a temporary permit, in which case the signature and permit number of the permittee must be placed immediately adjacent to the seal’s imprint.If You Lose Your Seal
One area in which the state is every bit as strict as its other counterparts, though, is your obligation if you lose your Delaware PE seal or stamp. You must report the loss immediately. If someone else uses your seal, you are not only risking your professional reputation, you could also be responsible for any damage or harm that occurs as a result of the unauthorized use of your seal. You should always keep your seal in a safe place so that it does not end up being lost or misappropriated.
Recommended Products
You don’t need a huge range of products to be compliant in the state of Delaware. That said, you want to make sure that you buy the products that are best for you and that you get the best possible deal. Products can range a fair bit in price and quality. At Acorn Sales Company Incorporated, we offer only the finest products for professional engineers. Although you can use rubber stamps and electronic seals in addition to your embossing seal, you must use the seal itself. The Acorn product line includes:
- Long reach seal embossers
- Soft seal embossers
- Extended long reach seal embossers
- Handheld seal embossers
- Embossing seals (impression only)
- Desk seal embossers
We also offer a full range of stamps if you choose to use one along with your seal. We must stress again, though, that the stamp is not a substitute for the seal in Delaware.
If you would like to learn more about the requirements for engineering seals in the state of Delaware, we urge you to visit the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for a Delaware PE seal or stamp?
In Delaware, a professional engineer must use an embossed seal that includes the engineer’s name, license number, and the words “professional engineer.” If a rubber stamp or electronic seal is used, it must include the same information as the embossing seal. The seal must also be 1 5/8 inches in diameter.
Do I need both an embossing seal and a stamp in Delaware?
Yes. In Delaware, the embossing seal is required by law, and a rubber stamp or electronic seal may be used in addition to it. A stamp is not a substitute for the required embossed seal, but it can be used alongside it on final documents.
How soon do I need to obtain my Delaware PE seal after licensure?
You must obtain your embossing seal within six months of the date your Delaware PE license is approved. If you do not, the Council may place you in delinquent status and you could face disciplinary action.
What documents must be sealed and signed by a Delaware professional engineer?
Final drawings, specifications, and other engineering work product filed for public record must be dated and bear both your signature and your seal. If original tracings are sealed or stamped, the date of sealing or stamping must appear beneath your signature.
What should I do if my Delaware PE seal or stamp is lost?
You must report the loss immediately. Because a missing seal could be misused by someone else, it is important to notify the appropriate authorities right away and keep your seal stored securely to prevent unauthorized use.
Can a temporary permit holder use a Delaware PE seal or stamp?
Yes, temporary permit holders must also use the seal requirement in Delaware. The signature and permit number of the permittee must be placed immediately adjacent to the seal’s imprint on the document.
