Bearing Studs, Top Plate, and Load
The load-bearing wood wall studs are 16" (406 mm) o.c. and the double top plate is the same size as the studs. The roof rafters, floor joists, or truss bottom chords are resting on the double top plate. There are no limitations to the distance between the location of the rafter, joist, or chord on the plate and the location of the wall stud. They do not have to be vertically aligned. Joist, trusses, or rafters need not align with the bearing studs below spaced 16 inches (406 mm) apart. (2024 IRC R602.3.3)
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