The CF1R shows your design meets the California Energy Code, the CF2R shows the installers built it that way, and the CF3R shows an independent rater tested it. They are signed in that order: CF1R before the permit, CF2R during construction, CF3R before final inspection.
All three are defined in Section 10-103 of the Energy Code. The CEC's 2025 Single-Family Compliance Manual (Chapter 2) explains who does what.
What is a CF1R?
The CF1R is the Certificate of Compliance. It is the "Title 24 report" you submit with your permit application.
- When: before plan check. It goes into your plan set.
- Who signs: the responsible designer, who is in charge of the building design. If an energy consultant prepares it, the consultant also signs as the documentation author.
- Special case: for wood-framed homes up to two stories that do not need a licensed designer, the builder may sign as the responsible designer.
- Not allowed: the ECC-Rater may not sign the CF1R as the responsible designer.
The CF1R lists the energy features your building must have and which ones a rater must test.
What is a CF2R?
The CF2R is the Certificate of Installation. Each installer uses it to say, "This is what I put in, and it matches the approved plans."
- When: during construction, as each part of the job is installed.
- Who signs: the licensed person responsible for installing that feature. Usually that means the HVAC contractor, the plumber, the electrician, the insulation installer and so on.
- The builder's role: the builder may sign a CF2R on behalf of a subcontractor they hired. The manual is clear that the responsibility still sits with the subcontractor who did the work.
- Where it goes: a copy is posted at the job site for the inspector. Copies go to the homeowner.
A project usually has several CF2Rs, one per part of the job. For example: windows and insulation, the heat pump, ventilation fans, the water heater and lighting.
What is a CF3R?
The CF3R is the Certificate of Verification. An ECC-Rater fills it in after testing or inspecting the features the CF1R flagged.
- When: during and at the end of construction, before the building department signs off final.
- Who signs: an ECC-Rater certified by a CEC-approved ECC-Provider. The rater must be independent of the builder or general contractor.
- Order matters: the rater may not sign a CF3R for a house that does not have a registered CF2R signed by the installer. The only exception is homes in a sample group.
- Final inspection: the building department cannot issue the certificate of occupancy before it receives all required forms, including the CF3Rs.
If a test fails, the contractor fixes the problem and the rater tests again.
What is an ECC-Rater, and is it the same as a HERS rater?
Yes, it is the same job with a new name. The CEC says its Energy Code Compliance (ECC) Program "replaces the HERS Program." The field testing rules moved from Title 20 into Title 24 for the 2025 Energy Code.
The CEC also says prior field verification services "will continue without disruption." Many people, and many raters' websites, still say "HERS rater" or "HERS test." When you see either name on a residential energy project, it means the same independent field tester.
What is CHEERS, and why does it matter?
CHEERS is the ECC-Provider. The CEC approved it on November 12, 2025 to certify and oversee ECC-Raters for the 2025 Energy Code. CHEERS also runs the residential data registry where the forms are registered.
When a project needs ECC field testing, all three form types must be registered in that registry:
- The CF1R is registered and signed online before plan check. The building department accepts only the registered copy, which shows a registration number.
- Each CF2R is filled in and signed online in the same registry.
- The rater enters test results, and the registry produces the registered CF3R.
The CEC manual says the rater must use the same registry where the CF1R and CF2Rs were registered.
Does every project need registration?
No. The CEC manual says registration is required for any home project that needs a CF3R, and "not all residential construction projects require a CF3R." Your CF1R lists any items that need ECC testing. If there are none, there is no CF3R and no registration.
There is one timing exception. The CEC allows urgent alterations, such as an HVAC changeout, to have their certificates registered after the work, as long as it happens before the permit is closed or finalized.
What does CHEERS charge?
These are CHEERS's published fees as of November 2026:
| Who | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rater, per new-construction project | $45 | cheers.org/pricing |
| Rater, per alteration project | $30 | cheers.org/pricing |
| Builders and contractors | $20 per user, per month | cheers.org/pricing |
| Homeowner signing CF2Rs | $50 one-time, per project | cheers.org homeowners page |
| Homeowner signing only the CF1R | No charge | cheers.org homeowners page |
Raters usually build their CHEERS fee into their price.
Who does what, at a glance
| Form | Official name | When | Signed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CF1R | Certificate of Compliance | Before plan check | Responsible designer, plus documentation author |
| CF2R | Certificate of Installation | During construction | Installing contractor (builder may sign for subs) |
| CF3R | Certificate of Verification | Before final | Independent ECC-Rater |
What should I do with these forms?
- Keep the registered CF1R in your plan set.
- Make sure every installer signs their CF2R before the rater's final visit.
- Book the ECC-Rater early. Some tests must happen before the walls are closed.
- At final, have the registered forms ready for the inspector. The builder must leave copies for the homeowner.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a CF1R, CF2R and CF3R?
The CF1R (Certificate of Compliance) shows the design meets the Energy Code and goes in at plan check. The CF2R (Certificate of Installation) is signed by installers during construction. The CF3R (Certificate of Verification) is signed by an ECC-Rater after field testing, before final.
Who signs the CF2R?
The licensed person responsible for installing each energy feature, such as the HVAC contractor or plumber. The builder may sign on behalf of the subcontractors they hire, but the responsibility stays with the subcontractor who did the work.
Who signs the CF3R?
An ECC-Rater certified by a CEC-approved ECC-Provider. The rater must be independent from the builder or general contractor.
Can the rater sign a CF3R before the installer signs the CF2R?
No. The CEC manual says the rater cannot sign a CF3R for a house without a registered CF2R signed by the installer, except for homes in a sample group.
What is CHEERS?
CHEERS is the ECC-Provider the CEC approved on November 12, 2025 for the 2025 Energy Code. It runs the online registry where CF1R, CF2R and CF3R forms are registered.
Does a homeowner pay CHEERS to sign forms?
CHEERS says there is no charge to sign a CF1R. A homeowner who needs to sign installation forms (CF2Rs) pays a one-time project access fee of $50, per project, not per form.