NCQLP LC study plan
NCQLP LC · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Lighting practice (content domains not enumerated in source)
Define and write out, in your own words, the core quantities of lighting practice (luminous flux, illuminance, luminance, luminous intensity, and their units) and convert between them in worked examples
Explain the inverse-square law and cosine law, then calculate illuminance at off-axis points for two sample layouts
Map the full LC exam content outline to a personal topic checklist, marking each item as strong, weak, or unknown
Build a formula and unit reference sheet you will keep updating through week 8
Your checkpoint
A one-page formula/unit reference sheet plus a completed self-assessment checklist of every outline topic with a confidence rating
Lighting practice (content domains not enumerated in source)
Describe how the human eye adapts across photopic, scotopic, and mesopic vision and predict how this affects design decisions
Interpret photometric curves (luminous intensity distributions) for at least three luminaire types and derive beam angles from them
Calculate contrast ratios and explain glare metrics (e.g., discomfort and disability glare concepts) in practical terms
Summarize color metrics: CCT, CRI, and TM-30, and state when each is appropriate
Your checkpoint
A written set of five solved photometry and vision problems, each with a short justification of the method chosen
Lighting practice (content domains not enumerated in source)
Compare lamp and luminaire technologies (incandescent, fluorescent, HID, LED) on efficacy, life, dimming behavior, and color
Explain driver, ballast, and control-gear interactions and their effect on flicker and dimming range
Calculate simple payback and life-cycle cost for a lamp/LED retrofit scenario
Identify maintenance factors and apply them to a maintained-illuminance calculation
Your checkpoint
A technology comparison table plus one fully worked retrofit cost analysis with stated assumptions
Lighting practice (content domains not enumerated in source)
Reproduce the lumen method for average illuminance in a regular grid and apply it to two room geometries
Perform a point-by-point calculation for a small space and compare results to the lumen method
Explain when computer modeling is required and what inputs/outputs a lighting calculation report should contain
Review and correct errors in three deliberately flawed calculations
Your checkpoint
A two-page calculation portfolio showing lumen method, point method, and a written critique of the flawed examples
Lighting practice (content domains not enumerated in source)
State illuminance targets and quality criteria for common space types (office, retail, education, healthcare, industrial) and justify them
Explain energy-code and power-density concepts and compute lighting power density for a sample plan
Describe daylighting strategies and their integration with electric lighting controls
Outline the roles and responsibilities of the lighting designer within the project team and design process
Your checkpoint
A space-type quick-reference card with target illuminances, quality criteria, and typical control strategies for at least six space types
Lighting practice (content domains not enumerated in source)
Specify luminaires and controls for two contrasting projects and defend each choice against cost, energy, and quality criteria
Draft a luminaire schedule and specification language covering photometrics, color, controls, and warranty
Explain commissioning and post-occupancy verification steps for a lighting installation
Practice writing concise, defensible answers to scenario-style exam prompts
Your checkpoint
A complete sample luminaire schedule plus a 300-word design justification memo for one project
Lighting practice (content domains not enumerated in source)
Complete a full-length timed practice exam under realistic conditions and log every uncertain item
Categorize all missed or guessed items by root cause (knowledge gap, misread, calculation error, unit slip)
Re-derive the five formulas and metrics you got wrong most often until you can do them from memory
Rewrite your reference sheet into a condensed final version
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam with an error-analysis log and a condensed one-page final reference sheet
Lighting practice (content domains not enumerated in source)
Run a second timed practice exam and compare scores and error categories against week 7
Drill your weakest three topics using targeted problems until you can solve them without notes
Rehearse exam logistics: timing per question, calculator use, and a strategy for flagging and returning to hard items
State your final readiness assessment with specific evidence for each domain
Your checkpoint
A final readiness report showing both practice scores, remaining weak areas, and a written go/no-go decision
Milestones
Week 2: You can solve photometry and vision problems from memory and explain every term on your reference sheet without notes
Week 4: You can perform both lumen-method and point-by-point calculations accurately and explain when each is appropriate
Week 6: You can produce a defensible luminaire schedule and design justification for an unfamiliar project scenario within 45 minutes
Week 7: Your first timed practice exam is scored, and every uncertain item is logged with a root cause
Week 8: Your second practice score is higher than the first, and no topic remains rated unknown on your checklist