In Oklahoma, all licensed architects need to have a seal that will help to identify all of the reports, plans, and technical submissions they make in the state. It is possible to use a rubber stamp or an Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp, as well as an electronically generated stamp. Regardless of the type of seal used, it needs to be legible in order to be valid. The Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp also needs to include all of the right information.
Architects are responsible for all of the plans that they author and design, as well as the reports that they write. They will need to use their Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp on all of these documents. However, they can also use the Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp when they are approving documents that have been created by those under their supervision.
Needed Information and Design of the Oklahoma Architectural Embossing Stamp
The Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp needs to be 1 5/8" in diameter, and it needs to be made of two concentric circles. On the outer circle, it will contain the words "State of Oklahoma" along the top and "Licensed Architect" along the bottom. At the center of the circle will be the architect's name and license number. In front of the license number is the lowercase letter "a". There will not be a space between the letter and the license number. It is also possible to add the city and state information to the stamp, however this is entirely optional, as it is not required by the state to be a part of the Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp.
The architects using the Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp will be responsible for procuring their own stamp and they need to make sure it meets all of the above requirements set forth by the Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers. They are only able to use their seal on projects and documents they were a part of or that they have supervised. In addition to the seal, they will also need to add their signature and the date. This helps to ensure that they are the actual ones using the stamp and that they aren't having others in the office stamp documents for them.
Learning More About the Responsible Use of Your Seal
It's important for the state of Oklahoma to be able to reliably track responsibility when it comes to architectural designs and drawings. The Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp is an ideal way to do that, but the architect also needs to make sure they are always adhering to the rules. To learn more about working in the state and abiding by the rules, as well as Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp, the Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers is a quality resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the official Oklahoma Architectural Embossing Stamp specifications?
The Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp must be 1 5/8" in diameter and made of two concentric circles. The outer circle must read “State of Oklahoma” along the top and “Licensed Architect” along the bottom. The center must include the architect’s name and license number, with a lowercase “a” immediately in front of the license number and no space.
Is the city and state required on an Oklahoma architect seal?
No. City and state information may be added to the Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp, but it is optional. The required elements are the correct size, concentric-circle design, the exact wording, the architect’s name, and the license number format.
Can Oklahoma architects use a rubber stamp or electronic seal instead of an embossing stamp?
Yes. Oklahoma architects may use a rubber stamp, an Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp, or an electronically generated stamp. No matter which type is used, the seal must be legible and include all required information to be valid.
When must an architect use the Oklahoma Architectural Embossing Stamp?
Architects should use the seal on plans, reports, technical submissions, and other documents they author or design. They may also use it to approve documents created by others under their supervision, as long as they are responsible for the work.
What are the most common mistakes that cause an Oklahoma architect seal to be noncompliant?
Common mistakes include incorrect stamp diameter, missing concentric circles, wrong wording, omitting the lowercase “a” before the license number, adding a space before the license number, or making the imprint hard to read. Using a seal that doesn’t match Oklahoma Architectural Embossing Stamp Specifications can delay approvals.
Do architects need to sign and date documents when using the Oklahoma architectural embossing stamp?
Yes. In addition to the seal, the architect must also sign and date the document. This helps confirm that the licensed architect personally approved the work and prevents unauthorized use of the stamp by others in the office.
