---
url: /certificates/certificate-signoff.md
description: >-
  Hold certificates until an instructor signs them in RootWright LMS Pro: add
  your signature, then approve pending certificates from the Certificate
  sign-off queue.
---

# How to sign off certificates in RootWright LMS

Certificate sign-off holds a certificate until each signer has signed it. In RootWright LMS Pro, signers approve certificates under **Teaching → Certificate sign-off**. Approving adds your signature, and the certificate is issued once every signer is done.

::: pro
Certificate sign-off is part of RootWright LMS Pro.
:::

![The Certificate sign-off queue with nothing waiting](/images/certificates/signoff-01-queue.jpg)

*Teaching → Certificate sign-off. The banner asks you to add your signature before you can approve anything.*

## Add your signature

Every approval is refused until you have a signature.

::: steps

1. Go to **Teaching → Certificate sign-off** and click **Add your signature**. The **My signature** screen opens.
2. Under **How would you like to sign?**, choose **Draw**, **Type** or **Upload**.
3. Sign in the box with your mouse, finger or stylus, type your name, or upload an image.
4. Tick **I agree that this signature may be printed on certificates issued from this site.**
5. Click **Save signature**.
   :::

How your signature is used:

* It is printed on every certificate you sign, at the size the certificate design gives it.
* Only you can add, replace or remove it. Nobody can sign on your behalf.
* Each save records the consent you gave, as the audit trail for the certificates it signs.

![The My signature screen before a signature is added](/images/certificates/signoff-02-my-signature.jpg)

*My signature. **Save signature** stays disabled until you sign and tick the consent box.*

## Approve certificates

::: steps

1. Go to **Teaching → Certificate sign-off**. The **Pending** tab lists certificates waiting for your signature.
2. Tick the certificates to approve.
3. Click **Approve selected**.
   :::

The **Approved** and **Waived** tabs list what has already been handled. **Refresh** reloads the queue.

While a certificate waits, the student's card on **Achievements** shows **Certificate Pending**. See [How students get certificates](/certificates/student-certificates).

## Related

* [Certificate studio](/certificates/certificate-studio)
* [Conditional certificates](/certificates/conditional-certificates)