Massachusetts · Engineer seal requirements
Massachusetts PE seal requirements: size, wording, and the rule that sets them
As of
Massachusetts fixes the seal in 250 CMR 5.03. The outside diameter of the depicted image must be approximately one and one half inches, and the seal contains "Commonwealth of Massachusetts", the Registrant's name, the Registrant's registration number and the words "Professional Engineer"; the Licensed Branch may be included but is not required. The signature must sit adjacent to the seal and must not obscure it, and each sheet of a printed plan set filed with a public authority is individually signed, sealed and dated. Architects answer to a separate board under 231 CMR 4.02, which prescribes a rubber seal conforming exactly to a figure printed in the regulation and adds the city or town from which the architect is registered.
250 CMR 3.00 is the registration process and M.G.L. c. 112, § 81D is the definitions section for §§ 81D through 81T. Neither contains a seal provision, though both are commonly cited as the Massachusetts seal rule.
Massachusetts Engineer seal
- Seal rule
- 250 CMR 5.03 (Professional Seal)
- Legend
- “Professional Engineer”
- Diameter
- The outside diameter of the depicted image must be approximately one and one half inches.
- Expiration date
- The seal contains "Commonwealth of Massachusetts", the Registrant's name, the registration number and the words "Professional Engineer", optionally the Licensed Branch. No date of any kind.(250 CMR 5.03(1)(a))
- Signature date
- Any document bearing the seal must also be appropriately dated and signed, the signature adjacent to and not obscuring the seal. Each sheet of a printed plan set filed with a public authority is individually signed, sealed and dated.(250 CMR 5.03(6) and 5.03(15))
- City on seal
- The city or town belongs to the architect seal under 231 CMR 4.02(1); nothing in 250 CMR 5.03 puts a place on the PE seal.(250 CMR 5.03(1)(a))
- The seal contains the words "Commonwealth of Massachusetts", the Registrant's name, the Registrant's registration number, and the words "Professional Engineer", and may include one's Licensed Branch.(250 CMR 5.03(1)(a))
- The seal must conform to the designs approved and made available by the Board.(250 CMR 5.03(1)(a))
- The seal must be a symbol or image in the form of a rubber stamp, embossed seal or digitized seal (computer generated image), or other form approved by the Board.(250 CMR 5.03(2))
- Any document bearing the seal must also be appropriately dated and signed, with either a legible hand written Signature adjacent to (not obscuring) the seal or a properly encrypted digital Signature.(250 CMR 5.03(6))
- A digital Signature must have an electronic authentication process attached to it that is uniquely associated with the Registrant, can be authenticated by the recipient, and is uniquely linked to the underlying documents so that the Signature is invalidated if any part of the document is changed.(250 CMR 5.03(11))
- If the Registrant does not take responsibility for all of the work, suitable limiting comments go near, but not through, the seal.(250 CMR 5.03(13))
- Where the Instrument of Service is a set of printed plans, each sheet must be individually signed and sealed and appropriately dated, unless otherwise authorized by statute.(250 CMR 5.03(15))
- The Registrant must take reasonable steps to prevent the seal or the digital Signature encryption key from being lost, stolen or out of the Registrant's personal possession or control, and shall not allow another person to use either.(250 CMR 5.03(8) and (9))
Massachusetts engineer seal questions
Is a Massachusetts PE seal 1½ or 1¾ inches in diameter?▾
The diameter is approximately 1½ inches. The 1¾-inch figure quoted for Massachusetts appears nowhere in 250 CMR 5.03. (250 CMR 5.03(2))
Can you sign across a Massachusetts seal?▾
The signature must be adjacent to the seal and must not obscure it. Signing across the seal fails the rule. (250 CMR 5.03(6))
Can a Massachusetts seal go on business cards or stationery?▾
The seal shall not be affixed to stickers, decals, cards, stationery, advertising, or any other such material. (250 CMR 5.03(7))
Does a Massachusetts PE seal include the city or town?▾
The city or town is an architect requirement, not an engineer one. Nothing in 250 CMR 5.03 puts a city or place of residence on the PE or PLS seal. (231 CMR 4.02(1); 250 CMR 5.03(1))
Generate a Massachusetts Engineer seal to this specification
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