Digital seals and signatures

[Yankee Chronicler]

Did you check out the link I sent you that summarizes all 50 states requirements? As you can see, most states are very similar with the wording, with some states, such as Florida (touched on above by jar546).

Your link takes me to a web page from which I can purchase a copy of the document. I'm not an engineer nor a member of the NSPE, so I don't qualify to get it free, and I'm not certain that it's worth $10 to me when there are other sources available at no cost. That said, from what I've seen most states have language that either explicitly says third-party authentication is required, or implies it. I was both surprised and amused to learn that Hawaii specifically allows only physical, "wet" seals and signatures -- even today.

 

[PCianc02]

Your link takes me to a web page from which I can purchase a copy of the document. I'm not an engineer nor a member of the NSPE, so I don't qualify to get it free, and I'm not certain that it's worth $10 to me when there are other sources available at no cost. That said, from what I've seen most states have language that either explicitly says third-party authentication is required, or implies it. I was both surprised and amused to learn that Hawaii specifically allows only physical, "wet" seals and signatures -- even today.

Yes - Hawaii and Guam (if you are including territories). Also, I believe NY digital requirements were dictated locally for a period of time, although I'm not sure that is still the case, if there are uniform requirements for the whole state. Otherwise, most other states/territories will have similar verbiage about third party verification. Some states/jurisdictions (Florida) also require the third party to verify the identity of the user. Lastly, some states/territories, such as District of Columbia, require certain text to be used below the seal, including certain pieces of information such as name, license number and date.

 

[jar546]

I am shocked that the high percentage of design professionals who regularly use just a scanned image, as well as the small percentage of building departments who enforce the digital signature requirement

Our building department struggled with this but we had a zero tolerance and enforced the digital signature requirement and after 6 months most of the whining was over, and now after 4.5 years of paperless, there are rarely issues and no whining from the RDPs. It has become the known norm.

 

[jar546]

This is what is on our website:

 

[jar546]

We use Bluebeam, so occasionally, we have to update our certificate for verification. IdenTrust is really easy to work with, and although we are not their customer, they take the time to help us set up the certificates in Bluebeam when there are updates.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

From Jar546's post #28 above: "Self certification is NOT compliant."

That's the next step. When we ding design professionals for using a scanned image of their seal and signature, more often than not their next step is a "digital signature" applied using the tool built into Adobe Acrobat and most other PDF editor software to apply a signature block electronically. But those still aren't third-party authenticated, unless the person behind the signature has subscribed to a service such as those mentioned in the post.

Getting back to my original question: I would very much like to know what each of your states requires, AND I'd like to know how strictly (or if) you enforce it.