About e-Signatures

What are E-Signatures?

An e-signature is an electronic expression of a person's agreement to the terms of a particular document. E-signatures are used in Supervision Assist to place legally binding agreements onto an electronic document.

How are they used in Supervision Assist?

Electronic Signatures are used in Supervision Assist when verifying Activity Log entries and submitting or reviewing evaluations. This is an important part of providing the documentation required for licensure.

Are electronic signatures legal?

Electronic Signatures are legally binding in the United States and many other countries around the world. The main laws that establish the legality of electronic signatures are the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN, 2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act (UETA, 1999). These acts establish that e-signatures carry the same legal effect as traditional paper documents and handwritten signatures.

E-signatures are valid in nearly every case, with some exemptions. These exemptions include any statute, regulation, or rule of law regarding:

Wills, codicils, and testamentary trusts. Adoption, divorce, and family law. Court orders or notices, and official court documents, including briefs. Notice of cancellation of utility service. Any notice regarding an individual's rental of his primary residence. Notice of cancellation of health or life insurance. Notice of recall. Documents required to accompany the transportation of hazardous materials.

The following laws have been passed in support of e-signatures:

S 761 Conference Report, approved by the House and Senate, and signed by the President. S 761, the Millennium Digital Commerce Act, (Abraham). HR 1320, the Millennium Digital Commerce Act, (Eshoo). HR 1685, Internet Growth and Development Act, (Boucher). HR 1714, Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (E-SIGN) Act, (Bliley). S 921, Electronic Securities Transactions Act. (Abraham), HR 1572, Digital Signature Act of 1999, (Gordon).