Engineers in Mississippi are required to follow specific rules and regulations to ensure compliance within the state. One of these requirements is that each engineer must have an official seal that must be used on any surveying documents, reports, drawings, and other types of engineering documents that they prepare. It is important to understand the requirements and regulations of this seal when doing business throughout Mississippi.
Mississippi Engineering Seal Requirements
There are a number of requirements that must be followed for each Mississippi engineering impression seal. While licensees have the option of using either an embossing style seal or a rubber stamp, the seal must meet the following requirements, regardless of its form. Any stamps that are used for sealing engineer-related documents must be identical to the embossing seal in design, content, and size to ensure compliance.
Mississippi Engineer Seal Size and Shape
Among the requirements for the Mississippi engineering impression seal is that it must be a circular seal that is either 1 5/8” or 2” in diameter. There are essentially two different seal options available:
- Mississippi Dual License Engineer Seal – This seal, which is available in either 1 5/8” or 2” diameters, includes both surveyor and engineer designations as well as the PE and PS prefixes before the license numbers.
- Mississippi Engineer Seal – This seal is 1 5/8” in diameter and includes the engineer designation and license number for the state of Mississippi.
Name
Mississippi does not require engineers to use their full legal name on their seals. The name that is used in your daily practice is acceptable for use, providing that all other requirements are met.
Formats
Mississippi engineering impression seals are available in embossing, stamping, and digital formats. Engineers are free to use whichever format works best for their individual practices, providing that the design, content, and size of each option contains the proper information and meets the requirements set forth by the state.
Using the Mississippi Engineering Impression Seal
Engineering licensees in Mississippi are required by law to use a Mississippi engineering impression seal on all documents created. The seal, along with the date prepared and signature, must be included on all charts, plats, reports, maps and other documents prepared by or under the direct supervision of the engineer. The use of the seal constitutes that the engineer not only assumes responsibility for the prepared documents, but also that they have fully coordinated them and that they meet the codes and requirements under Mississippi
law. It is recommended that the Mississippi engineering impression seal only be used on completed, final documents. If the seal is required on a preliminary document, additional language stating that the document is preliminary must be included.
For reports and documents that include more than a single sheet, engineers can use the Mississippi engineering impression seal on the index or title sheet rather than each page in the document. Each time the seal is used, it must include the date and signature of the engineer.
The Mississippi engineering impression seal is an important consideration for engineers to ensure full compliance. If you need additional information, make sure to visit the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current Mississippi engineering seal requirements for licensed professional engineers?
Mississippi requires licensed engineers to use an official seal on engineering documents they prepare or supervise. The seal must be circular, either 1 5/8" or 2" in diameter, and must match the approved design, content, and size whether it is an embossing seal, rubber stamp, or digital seal. The seal must also include the proper engineer identification and be used in accordance with Mississippi Board requirements.
Do Mississippi engineers need to use a rubber stamp, embossing seal, or digital seal?
Mississippi allows engineers to use an embossing seal, rubber stamp, or digital seal, as long as the final result is identical in design, content, and size to the required Mississippi engineering impression seal. This gives engineers flexibility, but every version must still meet state compliance standards for official document sealing.
What information must appear on a Mississippi PE seal?
A Mississippi PE seal must include the required engineer designation and license information. For dual-licensed professionals, the dual license seal may include both surveyor and engineer designations along with the PE and PS prefixes before the license numbers. Mississippi does not require your full legal name on the seal, so your commonly used professional name is acceptable if all other requirements are met.
When is a Mississippi engineering seal required on documents?
The seal is required on charts, plats, reports, maps, drawings, surveys, and other engineering documents prepared by or under the direct supervision of the engineer. It must be used with the engineer’s signature and the date the document was prepared. In general, the seal should be applied to final completed documents, not drafts or unfinished work.
Can a Mississippi PE seal be used on preliminary documents?
Yes, but only if the document clearly states that it is preliminary. If a Mississippi engineering seal is placed on a preliminary plan, report, or drawing, additional language should be included to show that the document is not final. This helps prevent confusion and supports compliance with Mississippi PE seal regulations.
Does every page of a multi-page engineering report need to be sealed in Mississippi?
Not necessarily. For reports and documents with multiple sheets, Mississippi allows the engineer to place the seal on the index sheet or title sheet instead of sealing every page. Each time the seal is used, it must still include the date and the engineer’s signature to show responsibility for the work.
