Arizona Geologist seal requirements: proper sizing, signing and sealing of documents

Arizona Geologist seal

Board

Arizona State Board of Technical Registration

Seal requirements

A.R.S. § 32-125; Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-303, R4-30-304, and 4 A.A.C. 30 Appendix A

Legend

“Registered Professional Geologist (upper annular space); Arizona U.S.A. (lower annular space); the registrant's name, registration number and the words "date signed" in the inner circle”

Diameter

An ink seal 1 1/2 inches in diameter, identical in style, size, and appearance to the sample shown in Appendix A.

Expiration date

R4-30-303(A) enumerates the seal's contents exhaustively - profession phrase, "Arizona U.S.A.", name, registration number and the words "date signed" - and no expiration or renewal date appears among them.(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-303(A); A.R.S. § 32-125(A))

Signature date

The words "date signed" are part of the prescribed seal itself, and R4-30-304(D) and (E)(3) separately require the registrant to sign, date and seal the document and to show the date it was sealed.(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-303(A)(2); R4-30-304(D), (E)(3))

City on seal

The only geographic wording the rule prescribes is "Arizona U.S.A." at the bottom of the annular space; no city or office location is required.(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-303(A)(2))

• The board shall adopt and prescribe seals for use by registrants who are required by the board to use seals; each seal shall bear the name of the registrant and state the profession in which the registrant is permitted to practice, plus other data the board deems pertinent.(A.R.S. § 32-125(A))
• Plans, specifications, plats or reports prepared by a registrant or a registrant's bona fide employee shall be issued under the registrant's seal if the board requires the registrant to use a seal; the registrant is responsible for all documents signed, stamped or sealed.(A.R.S. § 32-125(B), (E))
• Each registrant required to use a seal shall secure and use an ink seal 1 1/2 inches in diameter and identical in style, size, and appearance to the sample in Appendix A. The upper portion of the annular space between the second and third circles shall bear the applicable phrase, which for a geologist is "Registered Professional Geologist".(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-303(A), (A)(1))
• The inscription "Arizona U.S.A." shall appear at the bottom of the annular space between the second and third circles; the inner circle shall contain the name of the registrant, registration number, and the words "date signed".(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-303(A)(2))
• Immediately upon receipt of the seal and before using it for any purpose, the registrant shall file with the Board, on a Board form, an imprint of the seal with an original signature superimposed over it and an affidavit regarding use of the seal; the Board has 10 working days to disapprove a seal that does not meet the exact specifications and to require another seal before any work is sealed.(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-303(B))
• A registrant shall place a permanently legible imprint of the seal and signature on each sheet of drawings or maps; on the cover, title, index or table of contents page or first sheet of each set of specifications, of each addendum or change order, of bound details, and of any report, specification or other professional document; on the signature line of any letter or other professional document; and on shop drawings that require professional services.(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-304(A))
• A registrant shall sign, date, and seal a professional document before it is submitted to a client, contractor, or any regulatory or review body unless marked "preliminary," "draft," or "not for construction," and in all cases if prepared for dispute resolution, litigation, arbitration or mediation.(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-304(D))
• All original documents shall include an original seal imprint or a computer-generated seal that matches the seal on file at the Board's office, an original signature that does not obscure either the registrant's printed name or registration number, and the date the document was sealed. Methods of transferring a seal other than an original imprint or a computer-generated seal are not acceptable.(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-304(E), (F))
• An electronic signature in accordance with A.R.S. Title 41 and Title 44 is acceptable for all professional documents, and the registrant shall provide adequate security regarding use of the seal and signature.(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-304(G))
• Where an electronic copy of a professional document is provided that does not meet the R4-30-304(D) requirements, the registrant shall mark it: "Electronic copy of final document; sealed original document is with (identify the registrant's name and registration number)."(Ariz. Admin. Code R4-30-304(C))

Arizona geologist seal questions