Initials YES, Recurrents NO
For initials on a revenue trip the Check Airman or some other Captain has to sign for the airplane. The person signing for the airplane is the PIC, the person assigned by the company. On recurrent checks, the check airman may act a SIC. The Check Airman could ride the jump seat and does not even have to act as a pilot for either the initial; or recurrent. However a check airman is under a higher level of scrutiny that a line pilot and if there is a problem with the flight, the check man will accountable for their actions. I always have the other pilot sign for the airplane when I give check ride.