What's a TER & Master Plan?
TER’s or Technical Evaluation Reports (formally ‘Master Plans’) are Evaluation Reports That describe the limitations of use for a building product.
TER’s are used in conjunction with a design professional’s site-specific adaptation of the document for use on a structure.
TER’s must bear the original signature and raised seal or a digital seal of the evaluating engineer to be valid for use by code.
This is also necessary to maintain quality control, liability, and integrity of the report as mandated by building codes across the US.
TER Cover Page
Example TER Cover Sheet – Click the image to see it in our plan store
How Do I Obtain A Certified TER or Master Plan Sheet?
TER’s are occasionally provided to the product manufacturers in bulk for their distribution with products as they are sold and the TER’s are needed.
Most of the time though, they will provide you with a photocopy of the report and if you need a sealed report you would need to go to the certifying engineer.
Finding the engineer and obtaining a sealed version of the report needed for permit has typically been a difficult process for installers, until now.
Engineering Express has created an Amazon-style plan store that provides quick access to hundreds of evaluation reports they have performed for use across the US.
Simply search and select the report you want, add to cart, and check out.
Digitally signed reports are emailed to you, typically the same day, after a professional engineer of the firm reviews and approves your request.
Hardcopies (physically sealed documents when needed) are typically mailed next day via UPS Ground.
About Digitally Signed Technical Evaluation Reports (TER's)
More and more municipalities across the US are requiring digitally signed, certified plans. These are electronic only versions of reports that contain an ecrypted code to verify their authenticity.
Click Here for more on the legalities of the digital seal.
These digital files are uploaded to ePermit systems and never touch paper. Your AJH (Authority having Jurisdiction) will determine the proper format for your submission. Always contact them for the required format of permit plans BEFORE ordering any documents from anywhere.
TER’s can be issued with digital signatures that are encoded with a geographic limitation. A design professional would be needed to adapt the TER to any site-specific location.
TER’s are ordered through our Online Plan Store. Select ‘digitally sealed version’ to order that option.
Once Digital, Always Digital
Digital files can only be used for ePermitting as they maintain the encoded certification. If they are printed, they are considered photocopies and are not valid for use. This firm cannot assist with copies of our documents for legal reasons.
Physical, printed TER’s and plans cannot be scanned for use as that is not considered an encrypted, digitally signed document. Scanned documents are invalid and again we cannot assist without the ability to validate the source purchase of the document.
Remember the rule: Once digital, always digital. Once printed, always printed.
For digitally signed documents, the ‘file’ is sealed, not each page. you’ll only see the digital signature on one page, typically the first page.
Engineering Express provides hundreds of TER’s and Master Plans in our Online Plan Store.
We create these for the product manufacturers so their installers can easily obtain sealed copies to obtain their building permit.
Contact your local building official BEFORE ordering any engineering to determine what exactly is needed for permit.
Additional Topics From Our Knowledge Base
Product Approvals Are Not Always Required – Here’s Why
When is a Miami Dade Product Approval Required?
How do I Quickly Get a Certified TER or Master Plan?
Can a Plan Reviewer or Building Inspector Deny The Use of a TER or Master Plan?
What do I do if a TER isn’t enough for a permit?
Last Update: June 23, 2025