A professional engineer stamp is an assurance of quality and a mark of competency in the engineering profession.
Its presence on engineering documents assures the clients, project officials, and the government that the plans meet the professional standards expected.
Engineering seals also indicate that the plans have been approved by a licensed professional engineer responsible for the project.
While the stamp benefits you and the client directly, it indirectly safeguards the public’s safety, welfare, and health by ensuring that safety standards are adhered to.
Here are the reasons you should consider getting a professional engineer stamp.
Gain Credibility
Owning a PE stamp means you’ve attained licensure as a professional engineer. To become professional engineers, licensure candidates go through the same basic procedure throughout the USA.
- Step 1: Completing and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to become an engineer-in-training (EIT)
- Step 2: Working for four years supervised by a professional engineer to demonstrate qualifying engineering experience.
- Step 3: Preparing for and taking the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.
Additionally, each state has its licensing board that administers the exams and state requirements that every candidate seeking licensure in that state must meet.
A PE license and, consequently, a PE stamp indicates you have met the requirements of the state board you were licensed in. Thus, your clients can rest assured that you have the experience and academic knowledge essential for handling the project.
Stamp Engineering Drawings and Plans
As a PE or architect, your PE seal is your mark of authority and professionalism. You can stamp engineering drawings and plans.
The PE stamp shows that you back up the project and are responsible for your work.
Without it, it would be impossible to know whether you’ve approved the documents and if they meet the expected standards.
Obtain Government Approval
PE licensure is meant to enforce specific standards that restrict unqualified and unprofessional individuals from masquerading as professional engineers.
To ensure the standards are upheld, the state’s building department must go through the plans and approve them before the project commences.
The government recognizes the state-issued license and will recognize the plans’ legitimacy when you back them with your PE stamp.
If the plans are up to the standard, you will obtain government approval to implement the plans.
Earn More Income
Source: asce.org
According to an engineering salary survey conducted by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), licensed PEs earned 6.2% more than unlicensed engineers. Their median income was $104,132 per year, while that of unlicensed engineers was $98,000.
Your ability to validate designs with a professional stamp and hold responsibility for the system’s integrity makes you valuable.
Types of PE Stamps
Depending on the nature of your work and preference, you can choose a digital stamp, a physical stamp, or a combination of both.
Digital Stamps
With the recent restrictions due to the pandemic, a digital stamp is more convenient. It is an electronic stamp used to stamp digital files. You can then send them wherever they are needed without handling the physical documents.
The professional engineering stamps, surveyor, architect, or notary stamps and seals come in the form of digital stamp files.
Physical Stamps
If you’d like a seal on your stamp, consider a physical stamp. Apart from allowing you to stamp physical documents, you can also put your seal on them.
However, unlike digital stamps, they are prone to damage. The three most common types include:
Rubber Stamp
Source: Pixabay
This is the most common type. It has a simple design of a rubber stamp with a handle and comes with a stamp pad.
Rubber stamps are economical and easy to use. You only need to press the stamp on the stamp pad then stamp your documents.
However, the ink pad dries up with time, and you will have to change it. You’ll also require separate ink pads for different ink colors.
Self-Inking Stamp
A self-inking stamp comes in a case that has the stamp and the ink pad. To stamp documents, you need to push down the gadget — which flips to press the ink pad and receive ink, then flips back to stamp the document.
This type is considered mid-range in terms of price. It provides a better result compared to the traditional rubber stamp. It also offers a relatively large number of stamp results before re-inking is required.
Pre-Inked Stamp
Source: seekpng
Unlike rubber stamps, pre-inked stamps don’t come with a separate ink pad. Instead, the ink is located above the rubber stamp. It is inked at all times and thus ready to use.
The stamp is high quality and can make more than 50,000 stamps before it requires re-inking. It provides the best quality stamp impressions with clean edges and rich color compared to self-inking and rubber stamps.
However, it is the most expensive of the three types.
How to Get Your PE Stamp
To get your PE stamp or seal, you should contact a stamps and seals company such as Pro Stamps.
You only need to provide your name, license number, and the state you’re licensed in. This is to ensure the stamp or seal is made according to your state’s PE stamp requirements.
For instance, in New Jersey, you are required to obtain a seal bearing your name, license number, and the title “Licenced Land Surveyor,” “Licenced Professional Engineer,” or “Licenced Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor” — whichever applies to you.
The company can then make your seal and deliver it to you.
Get a High-Quality Professional Engineer Stamp
With a professional engineer stamp, you will gain credibility and the ability to stamp engineering documents.
At Pro Stamps, we make high-quality PE stamps that meet the state board requirements.
Order a PE stamp, whether digital or physical, and get the highest quality stamp, free shipping, and a lifetime warranty.