Short answer: CHEERS is one of California's approved data registries for residential Title 24 energy compliance documents. Registering a report gives it a unique registration number, and the installer's and HERS rater's forms for the same project are recorded against it during construction.
CHEERS is one of the state-approved online registries where residential Title 24 Part 6 energy compliance reports are registered before being submitted to a building department. Where registration is required, a report that has not been registered with an approved California registry will typically be returned during plan check.
When your Title 24 report is registered, it receives a unique registration number that building departments use to verify the document's authenticity and track compliance through the construction process. HERS raters also use the registry to log field verification results during and after construction.
CHEERS is a widely used residential compliance registry in California, though multiple approved registries exist. At Title24Comply, registry registration is included with every order that requires it. You receive your completed report with the registration number included — formatted and ready to submit with your permit package.
What Gets Registered?
Registration follows a project through three stages, each with its own residential form:
| Form | Who completes it | When |
|---|---|---|
| CF1R — Certificate of Compliance | Energy consultant / documentation author | Design stage, before the permit |
| CF2R — Certificate of Installation | Installing contractor | During construction |
| CF3R — Certificate of Verification | HERS (ECC) rater | After installation, during field verification |
The CF1R guide explains the first of these in detail, and low-rise multifamily projects follow the same idea with an LMCC.
When Is Registration Required?
Registration is generally required when a residential project's compliance documents call for HERS field verification — which covers most new homes, ADUs, many additions and many HVAC alterations. Under the 2025 code cycle the CEC calls this field verification ECC (Energy Code Compliance) verification, though many people still say HERS. See HERS rater vs Title 24 report for how verification works, and the Title 24 code guide for the current cycle.
How to Use Your Registration Number
Submit the registered report with your permit application, and share the project details with your HVAC contractor and HERS rater. They generally complete their forms in the same registry, so letting them know where the report is registered saves time. If the design changes after registration, the report has to be updated and re-registered — see what happens if plans change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CHEERS a HERS rater?
CHEERS operates a registry that HERS raters use to record their results. The rater who tests your home is a separate, independent professional.
Does registration mean my permit is approved?
No. Registration confirms the document is authentic. The building department still reviews it against your plans — see what building departments look for.
Do I have to register the report myself?
No. Where the project requires it, we register the report before delivery. Orders are placed online; see pricing.