Arkansas Interior Designer seal requirements: proper sizing, signing and sealing of documents

Arkansas Interior Designer seal

Board

Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers

Seal requirements

Ark. Code § 17-35-304; ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A

Legend

“Registered Interior Designer”

Diameter

1.5 inches. The rule specifies two concentric circles 1.5" and 1" in diameter, the outer being the overall size of the seal.

Expiration date

No date appears on the seal itself. The design rule admits only the two legend phrases in the ring and the name and registration number in the inner circle. A date is required on the document — the date of affixation — not on the stamp.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.1.a, XIII.A.2.a)

Signature date

Registered interior designers shall affix their seal, actual signature, and date of affixation to all original contract documents; a document filed for public record shall bear the signature, seal and the date on which it was sealed.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.2.a; Ark. Code § 17-35-304(a)(2)(A))

City on seal

No address or place of business appears on the seal; the design rule names only the legend words, the registrant's name and the registration number. An address appears only in the substitute statement placed on reference-only electronic files.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.1.a, XIII.A.2.e)

• Each registered interior designer shall procure a seal that shall contain the name of the registered interior designer, license registration number, and the words: "REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER − STATE OF ARKANSAS".(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A)
• Design: metal impression, rubber stamp, or printed, two concentric circles 1.5" and 1" in diameter. Space between bearing words "Registered Interior Designer" and "State of Arkansas." Space within inner circle bearing names and registration numbers.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.1.a)
• Any method that legibly reproduces the registered interior designer's seal is permitted.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.1.b)
• Registered interior designers shall affix their seal, actual signature, and date of affixation to all original contract documents, including index sheets identifying all drawings covered, as well as cover and index pages identifying all specification pages covered. Presentation documents (renderings and/or drawings used to communicate conceptual information only) are not required to be sealed, signed, or dated.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.2.a)
• A document issued by the registered interior designer and being filed for public record shall bear the signature and seal of the interior designer who prepared or approved the document and the date on which it was sealed. The signature, date, and seal shall be evidence of the authenticity of the document.(Ark. Code § 17-35-304(a)(2))
• All registered interior designer contract documents shall contain the following statement: that the document is not an architectural or engineering drawing, specifications, or design and is not to be used for construction of any load-bearing columns, load-bearing framing, or load-bearing walls or structures or issuance of any building permit.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.2.d; Ark. Code § 17-35-304(c))
• Contract documents considered incomplete may be released for interim review without the seal or signature affixed, but shall bear the registered interior designer's name and be conspicuously marked to indicate that the documents are for interim review and not intended for bidding, permit, or construction purposes.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.2.b)
• Once documents bearing the registered interior designer's seal are issued from the office, the seal shall not be removed, except that where the client requests electronic drawing files for use as reference documents, a prescribed statement — that the record copy is on file at the named individual's offices and that the electronic document is released for reference, coordination and/or facility management and shall not be used for construction — shall be substituted for the seal.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.2.e)
• On original documents, the use of signature reproductions, such as rubber stamps or computer-generated signatures or other facsimiles, shall be permitted.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.2.h)
• Authorized use of the prescribed seal is an individual act whereby the registered interior designer must personally inscribe the seal, and is responsible for its security when not in use.(ASBALAID Administrative Rules, Section XIII.A.2.i)
• The shape and design of the seal will be different from the seals of architects, engineers, or landscape architects.(Ark. Code § 17-35-304(g))
• When the registration has expired or been revoked or suspended, the registered interior designer shall surrender the seal to the Chair of the Board within thirty calendar days after the revocation or suspension has become effective; the seal shall be returned upon expiration of the suspension period.(Ark. Code § 17-35-304(h))

Arkansas interior designer seal questions