No, you NEVER have to FE. In fact, most of us would recommend that you NEVER FE -- even when it's just an option rather than a request. Staying in escrow throughout the entire order process is one of the best ways to protect yourself. No matter what a vendor states on his/her profile, you are NEVER NEVER NEVER required by SR to FE. If you find a vendor who claims that, or asks that you do that, my best recommendation would be to find a different vendor!