Who can issue an accessibility report in Brazil? ART, RRT and professional responsibility

Who can prepare and sign the report?

A building accessibility report must be prepared by a legally qualified professional with valid registration at the appropriate council and an authorised scope of practice covering the assessment. In architecture and engineering, this means an architect or an engineer authorised for the service, with the corresponding RRT or ART.

A professional title alone is not enough. Check whether the authorised scope covers the proposed activities. Confea explains how professional scopes of practice are assigned, based on education and assessment by the regional Crea.

If you need to identify barriers and plan the next steps for a property in Brazil, explore our accessibility report service. The assessment's purpose should be clear before its scope is agreed.

How do ART and RRT differ?

ART means Anotação de Responsabilidade Técnica, the technical responsibility record used by the Confea/Crea system. RRT means Registro de Responsabilidade Técnica, the responsibility record used by CAU. They record responsibility for the work according to the profession and activities involved.

For the client, the practical question is whether the record matches the commissioned service. Check the professional, property, activities and relevant details. A record covering design alone should not be assumed to automatically cover a separate inspection or report.

The CAU/BR explains the rules for RRT. For ART, consult Confea's professional regulations and the relevant Crea. The responsible professional determines the appropriate activity classification and registration.

Does an ART or RRT replace the report?

No. The responsibility record and the report serve different purposes. The report presents findings, analysis and conclusions within an agreed scope. The ART or RRT records professional responsibility for the declared activities.

A responsibility record alone does not demonstrate that the entire building is accessible or guarantee approval of a licence. The property's condition depends on the assessment, while required documentation must be checked against the applicable procedure.

See also what an accessibility report should include. Templates may help organise information but do not replace technical work or authorise someone without the relevant qualifications to sign.

What to check before hiring

Ask for a proposal that makes the deliverables clear. Compare scope as well as the final price. These questions help clarify the work:

• Who will be the responsible professional, and how can their council registration be checked?
• Which rooms, routes and shared areas will be assessed?
• How will the survey, measurements and necessary records be produced?
• Does delivery include the report and the corresponding responsibility record?
• What are the assessment's limits, and which services require separate commissioning?

An example of comparing proposals

Imagine a clinic occupying a suite in a commercial building. One proposal covers only the suite's interior; another includes the arrival route, entrance and relevant shared areas. Both mention accessibility, but their deliverables may differ.

This is a hypothetical example. It shows why the purpose, boundaries and coverage must be agreed. If the assessment identifies a need for alterations, detailed solutions may require a separate design service. Understand the difference between an accessibility report and design.