Section 61G15-23.004 - Procedures for Digitally Signing and Sealing Electronically Transmitted Plans, Specifications, Reports or Other Documents(1) Engineering plans, specifications, reports or other documents which must be signed, dated and sealed in accordance with the provisions of Section 471.025, F.S., and Rule 61G15-23.001, F.A.C., may be signed digitally as provided herein by the professional engineer in responsible charge. As used herein, the terms "certification authority, " and "digital signature" shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Sections 668.003(2) and (3), F.S.(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. 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. |
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2. 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. |
(e) When engineering plans, specifications, reports or other documents contain multiple sheets or pages, the licensee may apply a single digital signature per electronically transmitted item as set out in Rule 61G15-23.001, F.A.C. A digital signature applied to an item in electronic form shall have the same force and effect as signing all of the individual sheets or pages contained within that item unless otherwise limited as specified in subsection 61G15-30.003(3), F.A.C.(f) In the case where multiple licensees sign and seal a single item, each licensee shall apply their digital signature and include qualifying language with those items required in paragraph (e) of this rule, thoroughly describing what portions the licensee is taking responsibility for.(g) Beginning on the effective date of this rule amendment, November 2, 2020, and continuing until December 31, 2020, the restriction contained in subparagraph (3)(c)3., above, and the text of required language illustrated in subparagraphs (3)(d)1. and 2., that printed copies of digitally signed and sealed plans or documents are not considered signed and sealed is removed, and printed copies of said plans or documents are deemed validly signed and sealed for any purpose allowed by law. After December 31, 2020, the existing restriction is reinstated. Any licensee seeking to use printed copies of digitally signed and sealed plans or documents must retain an original copy of the signed and sealed plans.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 61G15-23.004
Rulemaking Authority 471.025(1), 471.033(2), 471.008 FS. Law Implemented 471.025, 471.033(1)(j), 668.003, 668.006 FS.
New, Florida Register Volume 41, Number 204, October 20, 2015 effective 11/3/2015, Amended by Florida Register Volume 43, Number 163, August 22, 2017 effective 9/7/2017, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 109, June 5, 2018 effective 6/19/2018, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 205, October 20, 2020 effective 11/2/2020.New 11-3-15, Amended 9-7-17, 6-19-18, 11-2-20.