NATIONAL LIGHTING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

What NATIONAL LIGHTING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA does

The National Lighting Contractors Association of America (NLCAA) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational provider that trains, certifies, and oversees Acceptance Test Technicians (ATTs) and Acceptance Test Employers (ATEs) for nonresidential lighting-controls acceptance testing under California's Title 24, Part 6. Founded and CEC-approved in 2014, NLCAA is one of only two California Energy Commission-approved ATTCPs in the state and also holds California Department of Industrial Relations school #174 status for delivering CEUs to licensed electricians.

NLCAA's core product is a three-tier certification stack — initial ATT and ATE certification, mandatory triennial recertification tied to each Energy Code update (the 2025 Code took effect January 1, 2026), and supplementary continuing-education courses — delivered through self-paced online coursework plus in-person lab classes held at California locations (Bell Gardens and Livermore). Courses are priced at $895 (ATT, regular $1,500), $500 (ATE, regular $650), $300 (recertification), and $250 (8-hour CE), with recertification required every code cycle roughly every three years.

The organization's differentiating technology is a proprietary, CEC-approved web-based acceptance testing software that runs Title 24 lighting-controls acceptance-testing calculations automatically and generates compliance documentation, licensed per permit number at $200-$250. The software is updated each code cycle and is accessible from phones and tablets in the field. Revenue mechanics combine one-time certification and course fees, recurring triennial recertifications, usage-based software licensing, and donations, with the public CEC-recognized directory of 1,200+ certified testers serving as both a compliance registry and a distribution channel that routes work from project owners and general contractors to NLCAA-certified technicians. The organization operates with roughly 10-15 core staff and a board of industry practitioners, and is governed as an independent nonprofit with no disclosed institutional ownership, funding rounds, or M&A activity.

Name

NATIONAL LIGHTING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Legal name

National Lighting Contractors Association of America

Website

https://nlcaa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NLCAA is a California nonprofit and one of only two CEC-approved ATTCPs that certifies Acceptance Test Technicians and Employers for Title 24 nonresidential lighting-controls compliance testing, supported by proprietary CEC-approved software and a public directory of 1,200+ certified testers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification and Energy Code Compliance Training

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Title 24 certification
• Acceptance testing training
• Lighting controls certification
• Energy code compliance
• Continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bell Gardens

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ATT Certification Fees: One-time certification fee for Acceptance Test Technicians. Includes 2-day online + 1-day in-person class, ATT Handbook, and listing in public directory. Recertification required each code cycle.
2. ATE Certification Fees: One-time certification fee for Acceptance Test Employers. Includes self-paced online class and ATE Handbook (mailed). Recertification required each code cycle.
3. Recertification Course Fees: 1.5-hour online recertification course for the 2025 Energy Code. Counts toward CEUs. $300 per person.
4. Acceptance Testing Software Licensing: Software licensed per permit number. $200-$250 each depending on single or bulk purchase. Used by certified ATTs to run and document Title 24 acceptance tests.
5. Continuing Education Courses: 8-hour in-person continuing education course on Alterations and Electrical Distribution. $250. Counts toward CEUs (8 hours). Also Title 24 overview courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

NLCAA is a CEC-approved ATTCP that trains, certifies, and oversees Acceptance Test Technicians (ATTs) and Acceptance Test Employers (ATEs) for nonresidential lighting-controls acceptance testing under California's Title 24, Part 6. The organization delivers online and in-person certification coursework, triennial recertification courses, and a proprietary CEC-approved web-based acceptance testing software licensed per permit. It also functions as a DIR-approved continuing education school for certified electricians.

Product overview

NLCAA offers a unified platform of certification programs and training services for California's Title 24 lighting-controls acceptance testing. The core offering consists of ATT (Acceptance Test Technician) and ATE (Acceptance Test Employer) certification programs, supported by corresponding coursework (2-day online + 1-day in-person for ATT; self-paced online for ATE). Related offerings include the 2025 Acceptance Test Recertification course, the 2025 Alterations and Electrical Distribution continuing education course, the CEC-approved Title 24 Acceptance Testing Software (a web-based calculation and documentation tool licensed per permit), and a suite of free guides and CEC energy code reference resources. All certifications are valid for the current code cycle and must be renewed via recertification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Acceptance Test Technician (ATT) Certification Certification program for installation technicians to perform nonresidential lighting-controls acceptance testing under California's Title 24, Part 6. Includes 2-day online coursework plus 1-day in-person functional lab board testing and listing in the CEC-recognized public directory. Required for any technician performing nonresidential lighting-controls acceptance testing under Title 24.
• Acceptance Test Employer (ATE) Certification Certification program for companies employing ATTs (including self-employed technicians). Required for every employer of certified technicians to oversee ATTs and bid CEC-compliant acceptance testing work. Includes self-paced online coursework and an ATE handbook.
• 2025 Acceptance Test Recertification 1.5-hour online recertification course that updates certified ATTs and ATEs on the 2025 Energy Code requirements. Counts toward CEUs and is required to keep credentials active under the current code cycle.
• 2025 Alterations and Electrical Distribution Course 8-hour in-person continuing education course covering Title 24 Part 6 Alterations and Repairs (§141.0) and Electrical Power Distribution Systems (§130.5). Provides 8 CEU hours for certified electricians.
• CEC-Approved Title 24 Acceptance Testing Software Web-based software approved by the California Energy Commission that runs Title 24 lighting-controls acceptance-testing calculations automatically and generates compliance documentation. Licensed per permit number ($200-$250 per permit), accessible via phone or tablet in the field. Used by certified ATTs to perform and document Title 24 acceptance tests.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200+ technicians certified
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California Energy CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014The California Energy Commission approved NLCAA as a Lighting Controls Acceptance Test Technician Certified Provider (ATTCP) in 2014—one of only two approved providers in California. This regulatory approval is the foundation of NLCAA's business, as technicians cannot perform Title 24 acceptance testing without certification from an approved provider.
• California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNLCAA is approved by the California DIR as school number 174 to provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for certified electricians. This approval enables NLCAA to offer courses that count toward professional continuing education requirements.
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner logo displayed on NLCAA website. NFPA develops and publishes codes and standards for electrical safety.
• OSHAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner logo displayed on NLCAA website. OSHA sets and enforces workplace safety standards.
• NALMCO (National Association of Lighting Management Companies)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner logo displayed on NLCAA website. NALMCO is a trade association for lighting management companies.
• NEMA AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrerequisite training provider for ATT certification. Applicants must complete NEMA lighting-controls modules (EE 101, EE 102, EE 103, EE 105, EE 110, EE 201) on the NEMA Academy platform before applying for ATT certification. Additional $50 NEMA fee required.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI): IAEI provides training and certification for electrical inspectors and code officials. Comparable to NLCAA as an electrical code education and certification organization serving the same California/Title 24 regulatory ecosystem, though focused on inspectors rather than acceptance testing technicians.
• RESNET: Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) trains and certifies energy raters and HERS Raters for residential energy efficiency. Comparable in operating as a standards/training/certification body tied to building energy code compliance, though RESNET focuses on residential whereas NLCAA is exclusively nonresidential Title 24 Part 6.
• Building Performance Institute (BPI): BPI certifies building energy professionals (HVAC, building analysts, envelope) and is widely referenced in U.S. energy efficiency programs. Comparable to NLCAA in being a credentialing body that drives compliance with energy codes/standards, though BPI operates nationally and across multiple disciplines while NLCAA is California-only for Title 24.

Broad incumbents

• UL Solutions: UL Solutions is a major safety certification and standards body that touches lighting controls, electrical safety, and energy efficiency programs. Comparable to NLCAA in delivering certification/training in regulated technical domains, but at significantly broader scale across multiple product categories and geographies.
• Intertek: Intertek is a global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company that serves the building products and energy compliance markets. While it does not focus specifically on California Title 24 ATT certification, it represents the broad incumbent model of accredited third-party certification that NLCAA's niche regulatory monopoly mirrors at smaller scale.
• TÜV SÜD America: TÜV SÜD is a global testing, inspection, and certification firm offering energy and building compliance services. Comparable to NLCAA as a third-party TIC provider serving energy efficiency and building performance markets, though at much larger scale and broader geographic/product scope.

Direct peers

• NEMA Academy: NEMA Academy provides prerequisite lighting-controls training modules (EE 101, EE 102, EE 103, EE 105, EE 110, EE 201) that all NLCAA ATT applicants must complete. It is both a direct training competitor in the lighting controls education space and a strategic upstream dependency for NLCAA's certification funnel.
• CET (California Electrical Training): CET provides electrical trades training in California, and NLCAA's Executive Director Michael Scalzo and board member Bob Yapp are described as instructors/consultants for CET. CET is a direct comparable in California's electrical workforce education and continuing education space.
• NALMCO: The National Association of Lighting Management Companies is a trade association for lighting management professionals - directly comparable to NLCAA's role as a trade association/credentialing body serving California's electrical and lighting contractors. NALMCO appears on NLCAA's partner page, indicating significant overlap in target membership.

Others

• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association): NFPA develops the National Electrical Code (NEC) and offers certification/credentialing programs that are adjacent to Title 24 training. NFPA is listed as a partner of NLCAA and is a comparable standards-body-plus-education organization, though its primary focus is fire/electrical safety codes rather than state-specific energy acceptance testing.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-lighting-contractors-association-of-america

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NATIONAL LIGHTING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA