Familiarize yourself with NCQLP exam format and syllabus. This is a four-hour exam with a total of 180 multiple-choice questions split into two sections. Eighty questions of the 180 are case-study type based on real-world applications. Check NCQLP's latest exam guide handbook available on its website, for in-depth details of the exam contents.
Determine your study preferences. You may be a person who likes to study alone, or you may be productive through peer discussions by being part of a study group. Some candidates find it easier to grasp the subject by listening to audio/visual aids, while others work better with written materials. Analyze which study method suits you the best. Consider using a combination of alternative study methods, if that suits you.
Go through the primary and secondary exam reference material list in the NCQLP exam handbook. Primary reference materials cover the exam topics comprehensively, while the secondary references are more specific and provide additional details. Candidates need to have an understanding of lighting regulations commonly applied across United States, such as OSHA Safety and Health Standards guidelines and Americans With Disabilities Act regulations. You need not buy all the references listed by NCQLP. Most of the exam tests for skills required by a three-to-six-year lighting professional for competent practice. You can buy these references at any bookstores, or contact the relevant publishers. You may purchase the references at Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). You can go for other materials that are equally comprehensive in subject coverage.