Chapter 27 - Use of Seals - Seal and Signature - Rules

Oct 29, 2026

Chapter 27 sets binding rules for Louisiana professional engineers and professional land surveyors on the use of official seals. It explains required procedures for seal possession, minimum seal design information, and mandatory pairing of the seal with the licensee’s signature and date. The chapter also defines certification and personal responsibility, reporting obligations if a seal is lost, and conditions for responsible charge, including supervision, review, authority to make changes, and documentation requirements for work prepared outside the office. Limited exceptions are specified for certain verification and certification cases, including access to sealed signed drawings and calculations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 27. Use of Seals

§2701. Seal and Signature

Seal Possession

Seal Design and Signature Requirements

Seal Responsibility

Responsible Charge

2. omitting a material fact necessary to keep the statement from being misleading; 3. the use of statements intended or likely to create an unjustified expectation; and 4. the use of statements containing a prediction of future success. C. Consistent with the foregoing, licensees may advertise for recruitment of personnel. D. Consistent with the foregoing, licensees may prepare articles for the lay or technical press. Such articles shall not imply credit to the author for work performed by others. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:688 . HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Professional Engineering and Surveying Board, LR 27:1038 (July 2001), amended LR 30:1722 (August 2004), LR 44:625 (March 2018) . Chapter 27. Use of Seals §2701. Seal and Signature A. The following rules for the use of seals to identify work performed by a professional engineer or professional land surveyor shall be binding on every licensee. 1. Seal Possession a. Each professional engineer or professional land surveyor, upon licensure, shall obtain an official seal. b. Firms are not authorized to possess or use seals. c. In the case of a temporary permit issued to a licensee of another state, territory, or possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, the licensee shall affix the seal of his/her jurisdiction of licensure, his/her signature, the date of execution, and his/her Louisiana temporary permit number to all of his/her work. 2. Seal Design and Signature Requirements a. The design of the seal shall have the following minimum information: i. “State of Louisiana”; ii. licensee's name; iii. license number; iv. "Professional Engineer" or "Professional Engineer in Engineering," or "Professional Land Surveyor"; v. “Licensed by Endorsement, R.S. 37:51 et seq.”(if licensee was licensed under R.S. 37:51 et seq. and either §903.F or §909.F) . Seals issued prior to promulgation of these rules may use the word "registered" in lieu of "licensed". If a seal is replaced, the new seal shall use the word "licensed" in lieu of "registered". b. Indicated below is a sample of the seal design authorized by the board. c. Seals of two sizes are acceptable: i. 1-5/8 inch seal commonly used in pocket seals; and ii. 2-inch seal commonly used in desk seals. d. Rubber seals of the same design and size are acceptable for use. e. Computer-generated seals of the same design and size may be used. f. A seal must always be accompanied by the licensee's signature and date. The signature and date must be placed adjacent to or across the seal. 3. Seal Responsibility a. The application of the licensee's seal, signature, and date shall constitute certification that the work thereon was done by the licensee or under his/her responsible charge. The licensee shall be personally and professionally responsible and accountable for the care, custody, control and use of his/her seal, professional signature and identification. A seal which has been lost, misplaced or stolen shall, upon discovery of its loss, be reported immediately to the board by the licensee. The board may invalidate the license number of said licensee, if it deems this necessary, and issue another license number to the licensee. b. Responsible Charge i. Documents will be deemed to have been prepared under the responsible charge of a licensee only when: (a) . the client or any public or governmental agency requesting preparation of such documents makes the request directly to the licensee or the licensee's employee as long as the employee works in the licensee's place(s) of business; (b) . the licensee supervises the initial preparation of the documents and has continued input into their preparation prior to their completion; (c) . the licensee reviews the final documents; and (d) . the licensee has the authority to and does make any necessary and appropriate changes to the

FAQs

What are the basic rules for seal possession for licensees in this chapter?

Each licensee must obtain an official seal upon licensure, while firms are not authorized to possess or use seals. For certain temporary permits from other jurisdictions, the licensee must affix specific seal and signature/date information plus the Louisiana temporary permit number to their work.

What minimum information must the seal design include?

The seal design must contain at least “State of Louisiana,” the licensee’s name, license number, the appropriate license designation (Professional Engineer or Professional Land Surveyor), and the endorsement wording when applicable. It also addresses how “registered” may be used on seals issued before promulgation and how wording changes when a seal is replaced.

When are documents deemed prepared under a licensee’s responsible charge?

Responsible charge requires direct client/public agency requests to the licensee (or the licensee’s employee), the licensee’s supervision of initial preparation with continued input, review of final documents, and authority to make necessary and appropriate changes. It also requires maintaining evidence when documents are prepared outside the licensee’s office, with failure to maintain documentation treated as a violation subject to discipline.

Oct 29, 2026

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