(A) Each architect shall be authorized to use
a seal as hereinafter directed in paragraphs (B) and (C) of this rule on all
documents prepared by the architect or under the architect's direct supervision
for use in this state for the purpose of properly imprinting the drawings,
specifications, and other contract documents as required by section
4703.12 of the
Revised Code. The seal shall be circular in shape and two inches in diameter.
Concentric with the outside of the seal there shall be a circle one and three
eighths inches in diameter. In the annular space between the circle and the
outside of the seal shall be the words "state of Ohio" at the top and
"registered architect" at the bottom. The name of the architect and the
architects
architect's registration number shall be placed
horizontally within the inner circle. The seal shall be either an individual
embossing seal, rubber stamp seal, electronically generated seal or other
reproducible facsimile.
(B) The
application of the architect's seal, above the architect's printed name,
license number, and expiration date of the architect's license, and an ink or
electronic signature, to the title or first sheet of bound sets of drawings, to
the title page of bound specifications and to other drawings and contract
documents required for official filing with building permit agencies shall
constitute the imprinting required by section
4703.12 of the
Revised Code.
The term signature as used herein shall mean a handwritten
identification containing the name of the person who applied it; or for
electronic or digital documents shall mean an electronic authentication process
attached to or logically associated with the document. The digital signature
must be unique to, and under the sole control of the person using it; it must
also be capable of verification and linked to a document in such a manner that
the digital signature is invalidated if any data on the document is
altered.
(C) The architect
shall imprint documents only if the architect was the author of such drawings,
specifications and other contract documents or was in responsible charge of
their preparation.
(D) An
electronic seal and signature are permitted to be used in lieu of an original
seal and signature when the following criteria, and all other requirements of
this paragraph are met:
(1) It is a unique
identification of the professional;
(2) It is verifiable;
(3) It is under the professional's direct and
sole control;
(4) It is linked to
the document in such a manner that changes are readily determined and visually
displayed if any data contained in the document file was changed subsequent to
the electronic seal and signature having been affixed to the document, and
(5) In addition, once the electronic
seal and signature is applied to the document, the document shall be available
in a view only format if the document is to be electronically
transmitted;
(6)(5) The graphic image
of the electronic seal and signature shall be readily available and produced in
a manner acceptable to the board. It shall contain the same wording as and
shall have substantially the same graphic appearance and size as required by
paragraph (A) of this rule when the image of the electronically transmitted
document is viewed at the same size as the document in the its original
form.
Notes
Ohio Admin. Code 4703-3-01
Effective:
4/15/2022
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates:
11/30/2021 and
01/01/2027
Promulgated
Under:
119.03
Statutory Authority: 4702.02
Rule Amplifies:
4703.12
Prior Effective Dates: 03/15/1974, 11/04/1977, 06/25/1983,
06/25/1990, 04/15/1992, 11/01/1994, 07/30/1999, 07/29/2005, 11/18/2005,
07/01/2012, 01/10/2015