Who can seal drawings in each state
Quick answer
A person can seal a sheet only with an active license from the project’s state, in the sheet’s discipline, still active on the issue date, while the firm holds any registration the state requires. On top of that, a few states reserve some structural work for structural engineers, and most limit when an engineer may seal architectural sheets.
The table sums up four state rules that decide who can seal a sheet. Each state name links to the “who can seal” section of its guide, which quotes the rule. For the checks that apply everywhere, read who can seal this sheet: the four checks.
| State | Structural engineer license | Engineers on architectural sheets | Engineering firm registers | A/E firm registrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Designation exists, not required | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| Alaska | Required for some structures | Limited | Yes | One registration |
| Arizona | Designation exists, not required | Limited | Yes | One registration |
| Arkansas | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| California | Required for some structures | Allowed | No | Engineering only |
| Colorado | No separate SE license | Not recorded | No | Engineering only |
| Connecticut | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | One registration |
| Delaware | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| DC | Designation exists, not required | Not recorded | No | One registration |
| Florida | Designation exists, not required | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| Georgia | Required for some structures | Limited | Yes | Engineering only |
| Hawaii | Required for structural work | Not recorded | No | Engineering only |
| Idaho | No separate SE license | Not recorded | Yes | Engineering only |
| Illinois | Required for structural work | Limited | Yes | One registration |
| Indiana | No separate SE license | Allowed | No | Engineering only |
| Iowa | Designation exists, not required | Allowed | No | Engineering only |
| Kansas | No separate SE license | Not recorded | Yes | One registration |
| Kentucky | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Engineering only |
| Louisiana | Designation exists, not required | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| Maine | No separate SE license | Limited | No | Engineering only |
| Maryland | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Not recorded |
| Massachusetts | Designation exists, not required | Limited | No | Engineering only |
| Michigan | No separate SE license | Limited | No | One registration |
| Minnesota | No separate SE license | Limited | No | Engineering only |
| Mississippi | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Engineering only |
| Missouri | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| Montana | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Engineering only |
| Nebraska | No separate SE license | Not allowed | Yes | One registration |
| Nevada | Required for some structures | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| New Hampshire | No separate SE license | Not allowed | Yes | Two, one per board |
| New Jersey | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| New Mexico | Not clear in the rules read | Limited | Yes | Engineering only |
| New York | No separate SE license | Allowed | Yes | One registration |
| North Carolina | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| North Dakota | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Engineering only |
| Ohio | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| Oklahoma | Designation exists, not required | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| Oregon | Required for some structures | Limited | No | Two, one per board |
| Pennsylvania | No separate SE license | Limited | No | Two, one per board |
| Rhode Island | Designation exists, not required | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| South Carolina | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| South Dakota | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | One registration |
| Tennessee | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | One registration |
| Texas | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| Utah | Required for some structures | Limited | No | Engineering only |
| Vermont | No separate SE license | Allowed | No | Engineering only |
| Virginia | No separate SE license | Not recorded | Yes | One registration |
| Washington | Required for some structures | Limited | Yes | Two, one per board |
| West Virginia | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Engineering only |
| Wisconsin | No separate SE license | Allowed | Yes | One registration |
| Wyoming | No separate SE license | Limited | Yes | Engineering only |
Checking a whole set at once
Set Check runs these rules on every sheet in a permit set: A-sheets need an architect, S, M, E, P and C sheets an engineer in the right discipline, and every sheet needs the firm’s registration in the project’s state. Each sheet gets a suggested sealer or the reason nobody can seal it, saved as a dated record.
Common questions
Can any PE seal structural drawings?
Not everywhere. In our data, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington require a structural engineer license for all or some structural work. Elsewhere a PE seals only within their competence.
Can an engineer seal architectural drawings?
It depends on the state. Most limit it to small or exempt buildings or to work incidental to an engineering project. Each state guide quotes the rule we hold.
Is a licensed engineer enough if the firm isn’t registered?
Often not. Where the board requires a firm registration, the sheet can’t go out under that firm until it has one, however well licensed the engineer is.
Does SealBench decide who seals?
No. SealBench suggests who may seal each sheet and shows why. The licensed professional takes responsible charge and applies the seal.
Want this done for your next set?
Send one permit set and your roster. Within two business days we return who may seal each sheet, and why anyone is blocked. Your first Set Check is free.
Request a free Set CheckSources
Every state guide lists the rules and board pages behind its row. SealBench suggests who may seal each sheet and shows why. The licensed professional takes responsible charge and applies the seal. SealBench is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, and does not file anything with any board. Questions or corrections: support@sealbench.com.