In the state of Florida, every professional engineer is required by law to have an embossed seal or a rubber stamp that they affix to any documents they file. Florida is actually quite a bit more flexible in its requirements than many other states, since as long as the seal conforms to the regulations that are established by the Board of Engineers in the state, the type of seal doesn’t much matter. You can use any Florida PE seals and stamps that will leave a permanent ink mark or other type of permanent representation on a hard copy document. Even the way your name appears on the seal has some flexibility. So, what exactly do you need to know to be compliant with the sealing requirements for engineers in Florida? Read on.
Florida PE Seals and Stamps
In the state of Florida, you can use either an embossing seal or a rubber stamp. It must be at least 1 7/8 inches in diameter. As we’ve stated, you can use any method that delivers a permanent ink representation. This means that you can even use a CAD generated seal on any of your hard copy documents. As Florida PE seals and stamps contain the required information, they are acceptable to the Board.
Again, unlike many other states, Florida offers flexibility. It does not require your seal be identical to their suggested design – only that it is similar. As to the information provided on your seal, you can use your full name or the name of your company, or a combination of initials that represent your given name, as long as your surname as it was provided to the Board also appear both on the seal and in your signature.
If you are using a rubber stamp, the impression delivered to the document has to be opaque. But if you are using an embossing impression seal, or a CAD seal, as long as the seal complies with the other provisions stated above, the Board will also find this acceptable. These provisions also apply to temporary license seals.
Security is Important
One area in which the state of Florida will not cut you any slack at all is when it comes to the security of Florida PE seals or stamps. Keep them in a safe place so that they will not be lost or misappropriated. Your seal is your verification that all your work is up to acceptable standards, and if someone takes your seal and uses it, you could be held liable for any damage that results from the misuse of the seal. So make sure that you secure your manual seals, and if you’re using a CAD seal that your electronic security is intruder-proof.
If you do lose your Florida PE seals or stamps, or your security is breached, report it to the Board immediately. You will not be held liable for any misuse dating from the point after you reported the loss.
Suggested Products
As we’ve stated, in Florida you have quite a bit of leeway when it comes to the ways in which you affix your seal or stamp to your engineering documents. Acorn Sales Company Incorporated offers a wide range of products that will help you to be compliant with Florida law, including:
- Soft seal embossers
- Handheld seal embossers
- Long reach seal embossers
- Desk seal embossers
- Extended long reach embossers
- Regular hand rubber stamps
- Slim pre-inked stamps
- Self-inking stamps
- MaxLight pre-inked stamps
- Any rubber stamp or embossing seal
If you would like more information, you can get it at the Florida Board of Professional Engineers website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Florida PE seal requirements for engineers?
Florida professional engineers are required by law to affix an embossed seal or rubber stamp to documents they file. The seal must meet Board requirements, be at least 1 7/8 inches in diameter, and leave a permanent representation on hard copy documents.
Do Florida PE seals and stamps have to be embossed?
No. Florida allows either an embossing seal or a rubber stamp, as long as the seal is compliant and creates a permanent mark. A CAD-generated seal may also be acceptable when used on hard copy documents, provided it meets the required standards.
What information must appear on a Florida engineer stamp?
Your seal can include your full name, your company name, or a combination of initials, but your surname as provided to the Board must appear on both the seal and your signature. The seal also needs to contain the required identifying information set by the Board.
Can I use a custom Florida PE seal design?
Yes. Florida is more flexible than many states and does not require your seal to match a single exact design. It only needs to be similar to the Board’s suggested format and include the required information.
What happens if my Florida PE seal or stamp is lost or stolen?
You should report the loss or security breach to the Florida Board immediately. Once reported, you generally will not be held liable for misuse that occurs after the report is filed, so fast reporting is important.
Are temporary license seals treated the same as regular Florida PE seals?
Yes. The same Florida PE seal requirements apply to temporary license seals, including the acceptable seal type, size, and required information. Temporary license holders should follow the same compliance rules before sealing documents.
