Title 24 Acceptance Testing Certification in California
NLCAA trains and certifies Acceptance Test Technicians (ATT) and Acceptance Test Employers (ATE) for nonresidential lighting-controls acceptance testing under Title 24 — so your team stays compliant and your projects pass inspection the first time.
Trusted by 1,200+ certified technicians across California
The basics
What is Title 24 acceptance testing?
Acceptance testing is the field verification that installed lighting controls actually operate the way California's Energy Code requires. A certified technician runs a defined set of functional tests — occupancy sensors, daylighting controls, automatic shut-off, and manual overrides — and documents that each one performs correctly before the project can pass inspection.
California's Title 24, Part 6 (the Building Energy Efficiency Standards) requires this testing for nonresidential lighting controls. The 2025 Energy Code took effect January 1, 2026, tightening those requirements — which is why testing must be performed by technicians certified against the current standard.
The work can only be signed off by a certified Acceptance Test Technician (ATT) employed by a certified Acceptance Test Employer (ATE). NLCAA is a CEC-approved ATTCP that trains, certifies, and lists both.
Want the full picture? Read the acceptance testing guide. New to the terminology? See the Lighting Controls Glossary.
Two roles, one program
Who needs to be certified
Acceptance Test Technician (ATT)
An installation technician certified to perform nonresidential lighting-controls acceptance testing in the field.
Who needs it
- Anyone on your crew who runs acceptance tests on lighting controls
- Techs who sign off Title 24 lighting-controls compliance
- Field staff who need to appear in the CEC public directory
Acceptance Test Employer (ATE)
The certified employer that oversees testing quality and compliance for its ATTs and bids CEC-compliant work.
Who needs it
- Contractors and companies employing one or more ATTs
- Self-employed technicians (you must also hold ATE)
- Firms that want to bid acceptance-testing scopes
The key rule: every ATT must be employed by a certified ATE to participate in the program — even self-employed technicians hold both.
The path to certification
How to get certified
Apply
Submit your ATT or ATE application online in minutes — no paperwork to mail.
Train
Complete NLCAA’s CEC-approved coursework, online or in a live class.
Test
Pass the acceptance test to prove field competency on real lighting controls.
Get listed
Earn your certification and appear in the public, CEC-recognized directory.
Built for employers & contractors
Why certify with NLCAA
Stay compliant on every job
Keep your crew certified so nonresidential lighting-controls work meets Title 24 on every project.
Pass inspection the first time
Certified acceptance testing means fewer failed inspections and no costly rework.
Ready for the 2025 Energy Code
The 2025 Energy Code took effect January 1, 2026 — make sure your team is certified to the current requirements.
Get found in the directory
Certified employers and technicians appear in the CEC-recognized public directory.
In effect since January 1, 2026
The 2025 Energy Code is here
A 1.5-hour recertification course brings existing ATTs and ATEs up to the new requirements. Recertify your team so your projects keep passing inspection under the current code.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Any installation technician who performs nonresidential lighting-controls acceptance testing under Title 24 must be a certified ATT.
Every ATT must be employed by a certified ATE to participate in the program — even self-employed technicians.
January 1, 2026. A 1.5-hour recertification course brings existing ATT/ATEs up to the current requirements.
Application is quick; coursework is online or in a live class, followed by the acceptance test. Most finish within a few weeks.
Yes. NLCAA is a CEC-approved ATTCP (Acceptance Test Technician Certification Provider); certified ATTs and ATEs appear in the CEC-recognized public directory.
Get Title 24 certified with NLCAA
Start your ATT or ATE application today — no account needed to begin.