21 NCAC 02 .0206 REQUIREMENT FOR AND USE OF PROFESSIONAL SEAL BY AN ARCHITECT OR REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER

Oct 29, 2026

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This rule sets requirements for sealing professional work by an architect or a registered interior designer in this State. It specifies when an architect may seal portions prepared under others’ responsible control, and when a registered interior designer may seal portions prepared under responsible control of registered interior designers. It also defines acceptable seal types, standard seal designs for individuals and firms, required seal dimensions, and the necessity of the original handwritten, hand-dated signature on seal impressions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Requirements for professional seal

Sealing professional work and responsible control

Individual architect seal design

Architecture firm seal design

Individual registered interior designer seal design

Registered interior design firm seal design

Where seals must be affixed

21 NCAC 02 .0206 REQUIREMENT FOR AND USE OF PROFESSIONAL SEAL BY AN ARCHITECT OR REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER (a) An architect shall seal his or her work whether or not the work is for an exempt project as defined in G.S. 83A- 13. An architect shall not sign nor seal drawings, specifications, reports, or other professional work that was not prepared by the architect or under his or her responsible control. Documents shall be sealed as follows: (1) An architect may seal those portions ofthe professional work that: (A) were prepared by or under the responsible control of persons who are licensed architects in this State if the architect has reviewed in whole or in part such portions and has either coordinated their preparation or integrated them into his or her work; and (B) are not required by law to be prepared by or under the responsible control of an architect if the architect has reviewed and adopted in whole or in part such portions and has integrated them into his or her work. (2) A registered interior designer may seal those portions of the professional work that were prepared by or under the responsible control of persons who are registered interior designers in this State if the registered interior designer has reviewed in whole or in part such portions and has either coordinated their preparation or integrated them into their work. (3) Individual Architect Seal Design shall be as follows: (A) The seal may be a rubber stamp, embossed seal, computer-generated seal, or other facsimile that becomes a permanent addition to original paper drawings or sets of specifications for use in this State. For the purposes of this Rule, the term "for use in this State" means drawings and sets of specifications prepared for bidding, procurement, permitting, or for construction. For purposes of this Rule, "original" means the version of drawings and sets of specifications from which all paper copies can be made. (B) The standard design of the seal shall be two concentric circles in which "North Carolina"and the name of the licensee are placed within the outermost circle and in which the license number of the licensee and "Licensed Architect" placed within the innermost circle. The size shall be 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inches in diameter. (C) The original, handwritten signature of the individual named on the seal shall be considered part of the individual seal and shall appear across the face of each original seal imprint along with the date of affixation. The use of signature reproductions such as rubber stamps, computer generated, or other facsimiles on paper copies are not permitted in lieu of actual handwritten and hand dated signatures. (4) Architecture Firm Seal Design shall be as follows: (A) The seal may be a rubber stamp, embossed seal, computer-generated seal, or other facsimile that becomes a permanent addition to paper drawings or sets of specifications. (B) The design of the firm seal shall be two concentric circles in which the architectural firm's approved name shall be between the inner and outer circles and the firm's license number is placed within the innermost circle. The size shall be 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inches in diameter. For a Professional Corporation, the words "Architectural Corporation, North Carolina" shall be along the inside perimeter of the inner circle. For a Professional Limited Liability Company, the words "Architectural Company" shall be along the inside perimeter of the inner circle. (5) Individual Registered Interior Designer Seal Design shall be as follows: (A) The seal may be a rubber stamp, embossed seal, computer-generated seal, or other facsimile that becomes a permanent addition to original paper drawings or sets of specifications for use in this State. For the purposes of this Rule, the term "for use in this State" means drawings and sets of specifications prepared for bidding, procurement, permitting, or for construction. For purposes of this Rule, "original" means the version of drawing

FAQs

Who is allowed to affix (seal) professional work under this rule?

An architect must seal the architect’s work, and a registered interior designer may seal portions of professional work prepared under the responsible control of registered interior designers in this State.

What kinds of seals are permitted for individual and firm use?

The seal may be a rubber stamp, embossed seal, computer-generated seal, or other facsimile that becomes a permanent addition to original paper drawings or sets of specifications for use in this State.

Are signature reproductions allowed on sealed documents?

No. The rule requires the original, handwritten signature of the individual named on the seal, hand dated, and prohibits using signature reproductions such as rubber stamps or computer-generated facsimiles in lieu of actual handwritten signatures.

Oct 29, 2026

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