# California requires final mechanical engineering calculations and reports to carry a licensed engineer's signature and seal, with industrial companies exempt

Page: https://flyvolo.ai/en/changes/ev-20260101-mechanical-engineer-9
Date: 2026-01-01 · Stage: Constraint
Can this record move a task judgement? yes
Occupation: https://flyvolo.ai/en/careers/mechanical-engineer

## Scope

California, United States. The act defines responsible charge as the independent control and direction, by independent judgement, of the investigation or design of engineering work, requires anyone who practises mechanical engineering to be licensed, and says all final mechanical engineering calculations and reports shall bear the licensee's signature and seal; it exempts engineering work by manufacturing, research and other industrial corporations. Consolidated text effective 1 January 2026. The exemption means it governs building-services and consulting work, not product design inside manufacturers, and it says nothing about AI.

## Source

- California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists — Professional Engineers Act (Business and Professions Code §§ 6700–6799), consolidated text including 2025 amendments (effective January 1, 2026) — https://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/laws/pe_act.pdf (primary source)

## What this means

Where the law applies, a named, licensed engineer answers for the design decisions.

## What it does not show yet

Industrial companies are exempt, so most product engineering is outside it.

## How to verify it yourself

Open the California Professional Engineers Act (board PDF) and find "All final mechanical engineering calculations and reports shall bear the signature and seal".


More: https://flyvolo.ai/llms.txt