While it may be exciting to finally achieve licensing for land surveying in Michigan, there are certain requirements that must be met in order for you to begin practicing in your discipline. One of the most important of these is obtaining a Michigan land surveyor seal. Before you rush right out and purchase one, make sure you understand what it needs to look like, the size requirements and how it must be used. This will help you avoid the penalties and fines that accrue against those who use Michigan land surveyor seals improperly.
Size and Setup
As with many other states, there are specific size requirements for Michigan land surveyor seals. All seals are required to be no larger than 4.5 centimeters in diameter, and must be in the form of a rubber stamp or embossing seal. The embosser imprints the seal on the page, and the rubber stamp uses ink for transferring the image.
There are three setups that are acceptable for Michigan land surveyor seals. The most common option includes two concentric circles, with the larger one making up the outside edge of the seal. The circles are aligned to provide a space between the two. The words “State of Michigan” appears in the top arc, and the words “Licensed Professional Surveyor” is in the bottom arc. Inside the smaller circle, the licensee’s name is entered on one line, followed by a space. The next two lines include the words “Professional” and “Surveyor” respectively. Just below these lines, the prefix “No.” is on one line, followed by the license number on the next one. This number can be either the entire 10 digits, or only the last 5 digits.
The other two Michigan land surveyor seals are similar to the most common option. The differences are the substitution of the words “Registered” (rarely used) or “Licensed” in place of the word “Professional”.
Usage Requirements
There are also guidelines that must be followed when using your Michigan land surveyor seal. All plats, surveys, reports, specifications and other documents must be sealed before they are submitted. However, you are only permitted to use your seal on documents prepared completely by you or someone whom you directly supervise. It is unlawful for your Michigan land surveyor seal to be affixed to any documents prepared by someone who does not meet these requirements.
When you choose to include your seal on a document, you are stating that you have verified all of the information in it. Your Michigan land surveyor seal is your certification that you have gone over the work and found it to comply with all applicable codes and requirements. This also means that you are accepting responsibility for the information and are liable for any issues or damages that may arise.
Your Michigan land surveyor seal is vital to your career. Make sure you understand the rules and regulations when using it to avoid penalization.
