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NCQLP Lighting Certified Seal

National Council on Qualifications
for the Lighting Professions

120 Wall Street, FL17
New York, NY 10005
E-Mail: info@ncqlp.org
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NCQLP Scope of Practice


Lighting is an essential part of our modern society, and is employed in all buildings and construction projects. A well designed and well managed lighting system reduces energy consumption, saves maintenance costs, reduces risk of injury and loss, improves security of people and facilities, and contributes to increased productivity of workers. Proper lighting serves both the public and private portions of our economy, and in appropriate applications can add drama and beauty to natural and man-made environments.

Increasing environmental concerns and rapidly advancing lighting technology have made lighting sufficiently complex to separate it as a field of endeavor from general building and electrical construction and maintenance. The mission of NCQLP is to protect the well being of the public through effective, efficient lighting practice by promoting increased knowledge of constantly evolving lighting technologies. The NCQLP is primarily a volunteer organization supported by a broad cross section of industry and trade groups, government agencies, research groups, and professional organizations. At present, the NCQLP recognizes qualified lighting practitioners through the Lighting Certified (LC) Credential

LC Scope of Services
The LC credential is a minimum multi-disciplinary qualification distinguishing practitioners in the specialized field of illumination. It is open to individuals who practice within the field of lighting who have met the qualifications of education, experience and knowledge demonstrated by examination.

The LC credential is supplemental to and does not replace legally required professional certifications and licenses such as architecture, engineering, and contracting. Because the LC credential is a minimum qualification, it does not recognize expertise. Also, LC is not a specific qualification in highly specialized practices such as lighting design, survey and auditing or lighting product manufacturing

"EPA recommends that lighting professionals pursue a certification program such as that offered by the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP). We are encouraging ENERGY STAR Building Partners to look for the NCQLP when selecting a lighting professional." (Jean Lupinacci, Chief, ENERGY STAR Building Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

GSA Mandate for Lighting Certified Practitioners
Qualifications of the Lighting Practitioner. Lighting design shall be performed or supervised by a practitioner credentialed as Lighting Certified (LC) by the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP). (Section 6.8 Interior Lighting, Daylighting, and Control Systems, p. 189).

Legally Defensible National Exam and Certification
The LC credential is current, credible, and accessible. Current lighting practices are represented in each administration of the exam, and LC professionals are required to recertify every three years to insure their knowledge of lighting application and technology is current. The NCQLP also recognizes credentialing standards by constructing an examination that reflects the knowledge and skills required for competent practice. The examination is based on published knowledge, and is administered by an independent and industry wide board and testing agency. The LC credential is accessible to all potential candidates across the industry (e.g., designers, engineers, contractors, distributors, manufacturer representatives). Eligibility requires a bachelorís degree in a related field and 3 years experience, or six years of lighting experience.

For a complete listing of Lighting Certified (LC) practitioners, see the LC Registry

Administration of Certification
The LC credential was developed and is regulated by the NCQLP and member organizations within the lighting, design, and government energy regulation fields. The National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions, Inc. (NCQLP) is an independent, non-profit certifying board. NCQLP contracts Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP), a professional testing agency, to assist in the development, administration, scoring, and analysis of the NCQLP examination.

Industry Wide Member NCQLP Council

  • Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
  • International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD)
  • interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO)
  • International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
  • Lighting Research Center (LRC)
  • National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors (NAILD)
  • National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
  • U.S. Department of Energy - Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Exam Content Outline
The LC credential is a multi-disciplinary qualification based on a statistically valid, peer-developed examination that tests minimum knowledge and application of that knowledge in the following areas:

  • Survey / Audit- Existing
  • Lighting Design
  • Financial Analysis
  • Installation & Commissioning
  • Operations & Maintenance
  • Regulatory Compliance