Florida Engineering Industry Licensing

(2) A professional engineer utilizing a digital signature to electronically sign and seal engineering plans, specifications, reports or other documents shall have their identity authenticated by a certification authority and shall assure that the digital signature is: (a) Unique to the person using it; (b) Capable of verification; (c) Under the sole control of the person using it; and, (d) Linked to a document in such a manner that the digital signature and correspondingly the document is invalidated if any data in the document is changed.

(3) The affixing of a digital signature to engineering plans, specifications, reports or other documents as provided herein shall constitute the signing and sealing of such items. (a) A digitally created seal as set forth in Rule 61G15‐23.002, F.A.C., may be placed where it would appear if the item were being physically signed, dated and sealed. (b) The date that the digital signature was placed into the document must appear on the document in accordance with subsection 61G15‐23.001(4), F.A.C., and where it would appear if the item were being physically signed, dated and sealed. (c) The engineering plans, specifications, reports or other documents being digitally signed and sealed shall include text to indicate the following and place it where an original signature would appear if the item were being physically signed, dated and sealed:

1. The same information required by subsection 61G15‐23.002(2), F.A.C., if a digitally created image of the seal is not use;
2. The item has been digitally signed and sealed; and,
3. Printed copies of this document are not considered signed and sealed and all signatures must be verified on any electronic copies.

(d) Formatting of seals and text similar to that depicted below shall be used. While the formatting may be altered, the text must remain identical.

When a digitally created seal is not used:

[NAME], State of Florida, Professional Engineer, License No. [NUMBER]
This item has been digitally signed and sealed by [NAME] on the date indicated here.
Printed copies of this document are not considered signed and sealed and the signature must be verified on any electronic copies.

FL Admin Code 61G15‐23.004

Also see 61G15‐23.005 for rules related to SHA signature use.

Formatting of seals and text similar to that depicted below shall be used. While the formatting may be altered, the text must remain identical.

1. When a digitally created seal is used:

This item has been digitally signed and sealed by [NAME] on the date adjacent to the seal.
Printed copies of this document are not considered signed and sealed and the signature must be verified on any electronic copies.

FL Admin Code 61G15‐23.004

(4) An electronic signature and seal shall be permitted in place of an original seal, signature and date when the following criteria are met:

(a) It is a unique identification of the licensee and shall contain the same information required on an impression or stamp seal including the date that the document is electronically signed and sealed;

(b) It is verifiable;

(c) It is under the licensee's direct and exclusive control;

(d) It is linked to the electronic documents in such a manner that causes changes to be easily determined and visually displayed if any data in the electronic document file is changed subsequent to the electronic signature having been affixed to the electronic document and;

(e) An attempt to change the electronic document after the electronic signature and seal is affixed shall cause the electronic signature to be removed or altered significantly enough to invalidate the electronic signature.

FL Admin Code 61G16-2.005

See digital signing guidelines.