Pennsylvania · Geologist seal requirements
Pennsylvania Geologist seal requirements: proper sizing, signing and sealing of documents
As of
Pennsylvania registers geologists through the same board as engineers and land surveyors, and gives each profession its own authorised seal design — Design C for geologists. 49 Pa. Code § 37.58 requires the legend "Registered Professional Geologist" with the registrant's name, registration number and a reference to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at 1 3/4 inch in diameter, reducible to 1 1/2 inch for a pocket seal in the same relative proportions. Under § 37.59 the seal, the signature and the date of issuance must be prominently displayed on the first page of final documents, with the signature near or across the seal but never obliterating the registration number.
Pennsylvania prescribes one diameter rather than a range, and allows a smaller pocket seal only if the proportions are kept. Sections 37.58 and 37.60 were amended effective December 17, 2022 to add digital seals and to set the authentication requirements for digital signatures and seals; the older text of § 37.58(d) mentioned only a rubber stamp or computer facsimile. The rules are promulgated under the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law.
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Pennsylvania Geologist seal
- Seal requirements
- 49 Pa. Code §§ 37.58–37.60
- Legend
- “Registered Professional Geologist”
- Diameter
- Prescribed. "The seal shall be 1 3/4 inch in diameter. The diameter of a pocket seal may be reduced to 1 1/2 inch" if the design keeps the same relative proportions.
- Expiration date
- § 37.58(b) lists the seal's contents as the legend, the registrant's name, the registration number and a reference to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. No expiration or renewal date forms part of the design, though § 37.59(5) forbids sealing after the registration has expired.(49 Pa. Code § 37.58(b); § 37.59(5))
- Signature date
- § 37.59(2) requires the seal, the signature and "the date of issuance" to be prominently displayed on the first page of final documents issued to a client or governmental agency. The date accompanies the seal on the document; it is not part of the seal design under § 37.58(b).(49 Pa. Code § 37.59(2))
- City on seal
- The only geographic element required is a reference to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; § 37.58(b) calls for no city, address or place of business.(49 Pa. Code § 37.58(b))
- "A registrant shall obtain, at the registrant's own expense, a seal in the identical design authorized by the Board." The Board authorises three designs: Registered Professional Engineer (Design A), Registered Professional Land Surveyor (Design B) and Registered Professional Geologist (Design C).(49 Pa. Code § 37.58(a))
- "The seal shall contain the legend 'Registered Professional Engineer,' 'Registered Professional Land Surveyor' or 'Registered Professional Geologist'" together with the registrant's name, registration number and a reference to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.(49 Pa. Code § 37.58(b))
- A registrant may use a metal seal, rubber stamp, computer image which is a facsimile of the seal, or a digital seal, provided the registrant first obtains a seal in accordance with this section.(49 Pa. Code § 37.58(d))
- A registrant may seal only work prepared by the registrant or under the registrant's complete direction and control.(49 Pa. Code § 37.59(1))
- On final documents issued to a client or a governmental agency, "the seal and signature of the registrant who prepared or who directed and controlled the preparation of the documents, along with the date of issuance, shall be prominently displayed on the first page"; subsequent pages may carry a facsimile or digital seal.(49 Pa. Code § 37.59(2))
- The signature shall be placed near or across the seal "but not in a location that obliterates the registration number."(49 Pa. Code § 37.59(4))
- A registrant may not affix a seal after the registration has expired, or for the purpose of aiding or abetting another person to evade the registration law.(49 Pa. Code § 37.59(5))
- Seal and signature must be applied by one of three methods: physical seal with a handwritten signature in permanent ink; digitally placed seal with a handwritten signature in permanent ink; or digitally placed seal with a digital signature — each containing the registrant's name.(49 Pa. Code § 37.59(7))
- A digital signature or digital seal must be unique to the registrant, capable of verification, under the registrant's sole control, and linked to the document so that it is invalidated if any data in the document is changed. A hard copy printed from the transmitted electronic file must bear the facsimile of the digital signature and seal and confirms the file was not altered after signing.(49 Pa. Code § 37.60(a)–(c))
Pennsylvania geologist seal questions
What do licensees most often get wrong about Pennsylvania seals?▾
Does the signature cover the registration number? § 37.59(4) allows the signature near or across the seal but not in a location that obliterates the registration number. (49 Pa. Code § 37.59(4)) Is the date of issuance on the first page? Pennsylvania requires the seal, signature and date of issuance together and prominently displayed on the first page of final documents; later pages may carry only a facsimile or digital seal. (49 Pa. Code § 37.59(2)) Is the seal the right size for its use? The standard is 1 3/4 inch; the 1 1/2 inch reduction is permitted only for a pocket seal and only if the design keeps the same relative proportions. (49 Pa. Code § 37.58(c)) Practising on a temporary permit from another state? § 37.59(6) requires the registrant to use the seal of the registrant's home state and to attach a copy of the permit. (49 Pa. Code § 37.59(6))