California · Engineer seal requirements
California PE seal requirements: size, wording, and the rule that sets them
As of
California's seal rule is 16 CCR § 411. The seal is at least 1½ inches across — the rule sets a floor and no ceiling — and carries one of three legends in the top border: "Professional Engineer", "Registered Professional Engineer" or "Licensed Professional Engineer". Any of the three satisfies the rule. "State of California" runs along the bottom border, and the center holds your name, your certificate number and the branch of engineering you are licensed in.
California Engineer seal
- Seal rule
- 16 CCR § 411 (Seal and Signature)
- Legend (any one)
- “Professional Engineer” · “Registered Professional Engineer” · “Licensed Professional Engineer”
- Diameter
- Not less than 1½ inches in diameter. The rule sets no maximum.
- Expiration date
- The seal carries the legend, "State of California", the name, certificate number and branch — no date of any kind.(16 CCR § 411(a))
- Signature date
- The date of signing and sealing goes immediately below or next to the signature and seal.(16 CCR § 411(h))
- City on seal
- The rule does not require a city on the seal.(16 CCR § 411(a))
- The top border carries one of three legends — "Professional Engineer", "Registered Professional Engineer" or "Licensed Professional Engineer". Any of the three satisfies the rule.(16 CCR § 411(a)(1))
- "State of California" runs along the bottom border, not the top.(16 CCR § 411(a)(2))
- The center carries your name as it appears on the certificate, your certificate number, and the branch of engineering you are licensed in.(16 CCR § 411(a)(3))
- An abbreviated given name or initials are acceptable provided the surname on file with the Board appears both on the seal and in the signature.(16 CCR § 411(d))
- The seal may leave a permanent ink representation, a permanent impression, or an electronically-generated representation, and the signature may be applied electronically.(16 CCR § 411(e))
- A rubber stamp of the signature is prohibited, as are decals of the seal or signature and preprinting blank forms with either.(16 CCR § 411(f))
- The date of signing and sealing goes immediately below or next to the signature and seal.(16 CCR § 411(h))
California engineer seal questions
Does a California PE seal have to be between 1½ and 2 inches?▾
The 1½-to-2-inch range quoted for California in most places is the architect rule, 16 CCR § 136. The engineer's rule sets a minimum and names no maximum. (16 CCR § 411(a))
Can I use a rubber stamp for my California seal and signature?▾
The seal itself may be a rubber stamp. The signature may not — a rubber stamp of the signature is prohibited, as are decals of either and preprinted blank forms. (16 CCR § 411(f))
Where does the date go on a California sealed document?▾
The date of signing and sealing belongs immediately below or next to the signature and seal, not in the title block. (16 CCR § 411(h))
Generate a California Engineer seal to this specification
Board approved
Your California Professional Engineer seal from pedigitalstamps.com meets every requirement on this page — the required wording, the layout and the diameter set out in 16 CCR § 411 (Seal and Signature). Fill in your details and download it in seconds.
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