Hawaii · Architect seal requirements
Hawaii Architect seal requirements: size, wording, and the rule that sets them
As of
Architects in Hawaii seal under HAR § 16-115-8 (Seal or stamp); § 16-115-9 (Authentication), administered by the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects. The seal reads “Licensed Professional Architect”. Two circles — a smaller one 1-1/8 inches in diameter within a larger one 1-1/2 inches in diameter.
One board licenses engineers, architects, land surveyors and landscape architects, and HAR § 16-115-8 gives them all the same seal geometry. Only the center legend changes; a landscape architect's seal reads "Licensed Professional Landscape Architect".
Hawaii Architect seal
- Legend
- “Licensed Professional Architect”
- Diameter
- Two circles — a smaller one 1-1/8 inches in diameter within a larger one 1-1/2 inches in diameter.
- Expiration date
- The authentication below the seal must state the expiration date of the license, beside the signature.(HAR § 16-115-9(a))
- Signature date
- The prescribed authentication block is the statement, the signature and the license expiration date only; no date of signing is required by the rule or by HRS chapter 464.(HAR § 16-115-9(a)-(c); HRS § 464-11)
- City on seal
- The outer annular space carries the licensee's name and the words "Hawaii, U.S.A." — no city.(HAR § 16-115-8(a)(1))
- The name of the licensee and the words "Hawaii, U.S.A." go in the outer or annular space; "Licensed Professional Architect" and the license number go in the center space.(HAR § 16-115-8(a)(1))
- The branch abbreviation required in the center space applies to engineers only. An architect's seal carries no branch line.(HAR § 16-115-8(a)(2))
- Below the seal, the authentication states "This work was prepared by me or under my supervision", is signed by the licensee, and states the expiration date of the license.(HAR § 16-115-9(a))
- Signatures must be an original or a digital signature. Rubber signature stamps and other facsimile signatures are prohibited.(HAR § 16-115-9(e))
Hawaii architect seal questions
Does a Hawaii architect's seal say "Registered Architect"?▾
No. HAR § 16-115-8(a)(1) prescribes one seal design for four professions and lists the wording each may use; the architect's is "Licensed Professional Architect". Hawaii styles architects "professional" in the same breath as engineers, so neither "Architect", "Registered Architect" nor "Licensed Architect" is the prescribed legend. Those words go in the center space together with the license number, and the outer or annular space carries the licensee's name and "Hawaii, U.S.A." — the layout is the inverse of the usual arrangement, with the profession inside and the name around the rim. (HAR § 16-115-8(a)(1))
Does a Hawaii architect need a second statement on a permit set?▾
On permit applications involving public safety or health, yes. HAR § 16-115-9(b) provides that "[i]n addition to the requirements of subsection (a)", plans and specifications submitted with those applications shall bear the seal of the architect charged with observation of construction under HRS §§ 464-4 and 464-5, with the authentication below the seal stating "Construction of this project will be under my observation", signed, and stating the license expiration date. Where the same architect is responsible for both design and observation, § 16-115-9(c) substitutes a single combined sentence covering both. (HAR § 16-115-9(b), (c))
What if a Hawaii architect leaves a project after sealing the plans?▾
The seal carries a continuing duty. Under HAR § 16-115-9(d), where the architect whose seal and signature appear with the observation-of-construction statement has been removed, replaced, or is otherwise unable to discharge the licensee's duties, that architect must notify the appropriate public official in writing within fifteen days, and the notification must include the name, if known, of the architect charged with continuing the construction observation. (HAR § 16-115-9(d))
Generate a Hawaii Architect seal to this specification
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