Digital Signatures and Seals for Architects and Engineers

New Jersey regulations allow architects and engineers to digitally sign and seal documents when the digital signing process meets these criteria:

• Is unique to the licensee
• Is verifiable by a trusted third party
• Is under the licensee's direct and exclusive control
• Is invalidated if the document is altered after signing
• Meets the Digital Signature Standard (DSS) established by NIST

With these standards met, digital signatures and seals carry the same legal authority as handwritten signatures and embossed seals under the New Jersey administrative code. 

Missouri regulations define requirements for digital signatures when architects and engineers use them for electronic or digital documents. They should be: 

• Unique to the signer
• Verifiable by a third party
• Under the signer's sole control
• Invalidated if the document is changed after signing

Some Missouri agencies use electronic plan review systems that may require verifiable digital submissions. Kansas City, for example, has moved to electronic plan review. 

When documents are signed using a digital signature, Tennessee law and board rules require that the digitally signed and sealed documents must:

• Be unique to the license holder
• Be verifiable by a third party
• Be under the sole control of the signer
• Be invalidated if the document is altered after signing

Tennessee agencies and municipalities (including Nashville's Codes Administration and the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation) use electronic submission systems that may require digitally signed and sealed documents

Connecticut regulations permit digital signatures on electronic documents submitted by licensed architects and engineers when the signing process:

• Is unique to the license holder
• Is verifiable by a third party
• Is under the sole control of the signer
• Is invalidated if the document is altered after signing
• Meets the Digital Signature Standard (DSS) established by NIST

Connecticut guidance for building officials cautions that scanned seals and signatures pasted into PDFs may not meet digital signature requirements unless backed by a verifiable digital certificate. 

Under California state law, a digital signature holds the same "force and effect" as a traditional, handwritten signature if it:

• Is unique to the signer
• Is capable of independent verification
• Is under the sole control of the signer
• Is linked to the document so that any subsequent change invalidates the signature
• Conforms to regulations adopted by the California Secretary of State

The California Secretary of State defines acceptable digital signature technologies, but no longer maintains a public list of approved certificate authorities. Requirements may vary by public entity and local submission portal.

These standards can apply to documents submitted to public entities, including local building departments. San Jose and Oakland have implemented electronic plan and document submittal guidelines that reference these standards. 

The New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions permits the use of electronic seals and signatures by licensed engineers and architects, provided they:

• Clearly identify the licensed professional
• Are applied under the direct control of the licensee
• Indicate professional responsibility for the work
• Comply with New York Education Law and
• Commissioner's Regulations

New York does not mandate a single signing technology, and acceptance may vary by agency or receiving party. Certificate-based digital signatures can help support authenticity, accountability, and document integrity where electronic seals and signatures are accepted.