Who Signs a CF1R, and Who Is the Responsible Person?
A CF1R carries two signatures. The documentation author, who prepared it, certifies it is accurate and complete. The responsible person, eligible under Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code to accept responsibility for the building design, certifies conformance with Part 6. An ECC-Rater is not eligible to sign as the responsible designer.
- Choose your report
- Upload your plans
- Pay securely
- Permit-ready report by email
Two blocks, two different jobs
The author's signature vouches for the paperwork only. It does not take on responsibility for the design features, and the author may be an employee of the person they assist. The responsible person's signature is the one that stands behind the design. When someone entered the data and also carries responsibility, one person can sign both blocks.
Who fills the responsible-person block
- Home or addition drawn by a licensed architect or engineer. That professional signs, and the licence number appears in the block. If several designers share the work, each signs their portion, or the one with chief responsibility signs the whole certificate.
- Wood-framed single-family home, two stories or fewer, not counting a basement. The Business and Professions Code allows unlicensed designers here, and the builder may sign the block labelled Responsible Building Designer. Who may prepare the report is covered on who can prepare a Title 24 report.
- Alteration or HVAC changeout. The building owner, or an agent eligible under Division 3, gives the electronic signature that registers the CF1R and sends it to the building department.
Who cannot sign
The ECC-Rater, the person who later tests the finished work, is not eligible to sign the CF1R as the designer. A designer may hand the preparation to a consultant, but must stay in charge of the specifications and calculations the certificate reports.
When a signature line looks empty
Paper certificates carry original signatures. A registered one carries electronic signatures, and the registry will not release a document for the responsible person until the author has signed and every validation check has passed. An unsigned copy is therefore usually not yet registered, or still waiting for the second signature. The registry project status shows which. See why a CF1R is not registered and the CHEERS signature email.
An owner doing their own paperwork should read what an owner can do, and the rest of the chain is on the CF1R page. We prepare these through our residential service.
Common Title 24 Questions
- What is Title 24?
- Do I need a Title 24 report?
- How much does a Title 24 report cost?
- How long does a Title 24 report take?
- What is included in a Title 24 report?
- What plans do I need to upload?
Frequently Asked Questions
On an alteration the owner, or an agent eligible under Division 3, may give the registering signature. For a new building the signer must be eligible to accept responsibility for the design.
The code says the author signs only that the documentation is accurate and complete. Responsibility for the design features sits with the responsible person.
Explore Registration and Signatures
- Why Did CHEERS Send Me a Signature Email?
- Who Completes CF2R Forms on a Residential Project?
- Who Completes CF3R Forms on a Residential Project?
- Can I Do My Own Title 24 Report?
- Can the Same Company Prepare My CF1R and Do My ECC Test?
View all Registration and Signatures guides → · CHEERS and ECC · Title 24 guide