50-State Survey of Licensed Design Professional’s Stamping and Sealing Obligations - 1st Edition - Published April 2018

Oct 24, 2026

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50-State Survey of Licensed Design Professional’s Stamping and Sealing Obligations compiles state-by-state rules governing when and how licensed architects, engineers, and land surveyors must stamp and/or seal drawings, plans, specifications, plats, and reports. It focuses on compliance requirements current as of the edition date and includes state examples such as Alabama definitions of “Responsible Charge” and the statutory basis for stamping and sealing. The survey is general information only and not legal advice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages190

Reading Time7 h 59 min

AccessFree to download

Scope and Disclaimer

Stamping and Sealing Obligations (State Rules)

Alabama (Engineering)

Responsible Charge Definitions

Stamping and Sealing Requirements (Statutory Citations)

Edition and Copyright

ABA Forum on Construction Law – Division 3 – Design [http://apps.americanbar.org/dch/committee.cfm?com=CI103000](http://apps.americanbar.org/dch/committee.cfm?com=CI103000) 50‐State Survey of Licensed Design Professional’s Stamping and Sealing Obligations 1st Edition – Published April 20181 | Co‐Editors | Division 3 Chair | | --- | --- | Matthew J . Ninneman, Esquire HALL & EVANS, LLC 1001 17th Street, Suite 300 Denver, Colorado 80202 (303) 628‐3416 [ninnemanm@hallevans.com](ninnemanm@hallevans.com) Kevin R . Garrison, Esquire BAKER, DONELSON, BEARMAN, CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ, P.C. 420 20th Street North Wells Fargo Tower, Suite 1400 Birmingham, Alabama 35203 (205) 250‐8333 [kgarrison@bakerdonelson.com](kgarrison@bakerdonelson.com) Daniel P. Valentine, Esquire, P. E. SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER, INC. 41 Seyon Street, Suite 500 Waltham, Massachusetts 02453‐8355 (781) 907‐9295 [dvalentine@sgh.com](dvalentine@sgh.com) Mark W . Mercante, Esquire BAKER, DONELSON, BEARMAN, CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ, P.C. 3 Sanctuary Blvd., Suite 201 Mandeville, Louisiana 70471 (985) 819‐8410 [mmercante@bakerdonelson.com](mmercante@bakerdonelson.com) 1 This 50‐State Survey is intended to provide general information concerning stamping and sealing regulations applicable to architects, engineers and land surveyors, current as of the date of this Edition. Several states require similar obligations for other licensed professions engaged in construction and design related services. This survey is not intended to and does not offer or constitute legal advice, nor is it inclusive of all stamping and sealing obligations applicable to professionals or trades. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer‐client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel, and any use of the information contained herein shall be at the user’s own risk. Practitioners should consult the respective state statutes and professional regulations to ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations and laws. © American Bar Association 2018 | Alabama | | Kevin R. Garrison, Esq. and Brodie T. James, Esq.
BAKER, DONELSON, BEARMAN, CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ, PC
420 20th Street North, Wells Fargo Tower, Ste. 1400 Birmingham, Alabama 35203 [kgarrison@bakerdonelson.com](kgarrison@bakerdonelson.com) | | --- | --- | --- | | Engineering
Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land [Surveyors ‐](Surveyors ‐ www.bels.alabama.gov)[ ](Surveyors ‐ www.bels.alabama.gov)[www.bels.alabama.gov](Surveyors ‐ www.bels.alabama.gov)[ ](Surveyors ‐ www.bels.alabama.gov)NOTE: May be affected by pending legislation (SB316) introduced in the Alabama legislature on February 13, 2018. You can monitor the status of SB316 here: [http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatus.aspx](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatus.aspx) | | | | Responsible Charge:
"Responsible charge" is defined by Ala. Code § 34‐11‐1(9) as the "direct control and personal supervision of engineering work or land surveying work.”
Ala. Admin. Code R. 330‐X‐2.01 provides that"the term 'Responsible Charge' shall mean direct control, personal supervision of, and legal responsibility for the engineering work or land surveying work performed. This responsible charge shall be of such a nature that the client may reasonably presume that the licensed engineer or land surveyor which he has employed is the provider of the professional services. The licensed professional engineer or licensed professional land surveyor providing such control and supervision shall have made decisions on technical matters of policy and design and shall have exercised his or her professional judgment in all engineering or land surveying matters that are embodied in the design and the plans, specifications, land surveys, or other documents involved in the work. By applying

FAQs

What document scope does the survey cover?

The survey provides general information on stamping and sealing regulations applicable to architects, engineers, and land surveyors, current as of the edition date. It may note that some states impose similar obligations on other licensed professions involved in construction and design services.

Is the survey legal advice?

No. It is intended to provide general information and does not offer or constitute legal advice. Readers are directed to consult the relevant state statutes and professional regulations for compliance.

How does Alabama define “Responsible Charge” for engineering or land surveying work?

Alabama defines “Responsible Charge” as the direct control and personal supervision of engineering work or land surveying work. The rules describe technical decision-making, professional judgment, and responsibility reflected through the licensee’s seal/signature and date on final documents.

Oct 24, 2026

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