If engineering or architectural services are provided for the project, must they be provided by a licensed professional whose signature and seal appear on the drawings and submittals?

• A. Yes, it may be provided by anyone involved in the project.
• B. Only for minor tasks.
• C. Only if the owner approves.
• D. No, the services must be provided by a licensed professional whose signature and seal appear on the drawings and submittals.

Answer: (D)

Licensure and responsibility drive this requirement. Engineering or architectural work on a project must be performed by a licensed professional, and that professional’s signature and seal must appear on the drawings and submittals. The seal certifies that the documents were prepared or checked under a registered professional’s supervision, meeting applicable codes, standards, and legal requirements. It also ties the professional to liability for the accuracy and coordination of the design.

Owner approval or informal work by non‑licensed individuals does not substitute for licensure, and this obligation typically applies regardless of the task’s size or complexity. The presence of the licensed professional’s signature and seal is what makes the construction documents legally usable and publicly accountable.