For nearly a quarter century, the Lighting Controls Association has educated the building industry about lighting controls technology and applications. Last month, we completed a major update for Education Express, relaunching the site with robust features, including quicker loading speed and video versions of many courses.
This article introduces the free content at Education Express and what’s new.
Education Express
Lighting control technology has evolved rapidly over the last 20 years. Commercial building energy codes have increasingly mandated detailed control. And best practices in application yield optimal results. This resulted in a powerful need for education to develop experts who could design, select, install, and commission lighting control systems.
Recognizing this need, the Lighting Controls Association introduced Education Express in 2006.
Education Express is a free, online, 24/7 series of courses covering lighting control technology and applications. Starting with a handful of courses, it has since grown to 32 learning modules authored by experts Craig DiLouie, C. Webster Marsh, and Steve Mesh. Since its launch, 47,000 students have completed more than 450,000 learning modules and 320,000 tests for education credit.
Why enroll with Education Express? You can level up your expertise in a growing area of lighting and become more valuable and competitive, while acquiring or maintaining one of several key certifications.
Curriculum
The Education Express curriculum is designed to create lighting control experts—individuals and firms able to select appropriate lighting control strategies and solutions and effectively apply them to buildings and spaces.
All learning modules are updated based on evolving best practices and generally available technology. They are also written for a broad audience possessing a basic knowledge of lighting, offering accessibility and expedited education for individuals with lighting and control expertise ranging from fundamental to intermediate.
Each learning module is a readable course with plenty of helpful graphics. Eight learning modules now feature a video option to take the course as a narrated PPT presentation. Each learning module is available as a downloadable PDF document along with a single-page PDF summary.
Students may provide feedback on learning modules and Education Express as a whole via a survey at the end of each module. Based on nearly 3,200 responses, the average student rates Education Express content highly in relevance, ease of understanding, comprehensiveness, and organization.
Widely recognized and respected
Education credit is offered for each Education Express course via a quiz at the end of each learning module. A passing grade is required to download an education certificate in PDF format.
Education Express courses are registered with CALCTP (CALCTP points), NLCAA (NLCAA points), and AIA (CES Learning Units/HSW hours). They may be used to renew NCQLP’s LC certification. Education Express is also the basis for the NALMCO Certified Lighting Controls Professional (CLCP) designation. Education Express is recognized by the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) as a source for advancing knowledge of networked lighting control technology and application. (Further details about how each organization recognizes completed coursework are at the end of this article.)
Students who successfully complete all courses earn an Education Express Certificate of Technical Knowledge in Lighting Control.
Get educated
With a refreshed software engine, comprehensive content, and ample education credit, the Lighting Controls Association’s Education Express offers a path to gaining valuable expertise in a critical element of modern lighting systems.
Note that updating Education Express was a major undertaking, and we are closely monitoring for any bugs. As always, if you are unable to log in, do not see your coursework history, or experience any other issues, contact our Help Desk, which will respond within 24 hours.
Start your education experience today—or return to level up with additional courses—at Education Express here. Thank you for using this service to advance your lighting control education!
What’s in Education Express
The curriculum currently includes:
- EE101: Introduction to Lighting Control
- EE102A: Occupancy and Vacancy Sensors
- EE102B: Panel-based Lighting Control Systems
- EE103: Dimming Controls, Introduction to Dimming
- EE103: Dimming Controls, Dimming Controls & Systems
- EE103: Fluorescent Dimming Ballasts: Technology
- EE103: Fluorescent Dimming Ballasts: Application
- EE105: Lighting Control System Design, Programming
- EE105: Lighting Control System Design, Basis of Design
- EE105: Lighting Control System Design, Control Zoning
- EE105: Lighting Control System Design, Design Development
- EE107A: Lighting Controls for Existing Buildings
- EE107A: Lighting Controls and Commercial Lighting Rebates
- EE110: Commissioning and Lighting Controls
- EE115: Integration and Building Automation
- EE201: Daylight-Responsive Lighting Control
- EE202: Automatic Plug Load Control
- EE203: Lighting Controls and Commercial Energy Codes (90.1, IECC, Title 24)
- EE300: Lighting Control of LEDs
- EE301: Wireless Lighting Controls
- EE302: Centralized Intelligent Lighting Control, Technology
- EE302: Centralized Intelligent Lighting Control, Application
- EE302: A Year with a Networked Lighting Control System
- EE303: Tunable-White Lighting
- EE304: Lighting Control and the Internet of Things
- EE305: Lighting Control Protocols
Who Recognizes Education Express
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education System (CES): Education Express courses are registered with the AIA CES, offering Learning Units (LU) and LU/Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) hours.
National Council on Qualification of the Lighting Professions (NCQLP): Education Express courses may be used to satisfy continuing education requirements for the NCQLP’s self-reporting program (LC certification).
California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP): CALCTP trains licensed C-10 electrical contractors and state-certified general electricians in effective techniques for installing, commissioning, and maintaining advanced lighting control systems. Several Lighting Controls Association Education Express courses are required as prerequisites to receive CALCTP live training and, ultimately, certification.
National Lighting Contractors Association of America (NLCAA): The NLCAA is a non-profit educational provider of California Title 24, IECC, ASHRAE, and other Local Reach Energy Efficiency requirements. NLCAA is certified by the California Energy Commission to train, certify, and oversee Lighting Acceptance Test Technicians (ATTs) and Lighting Controls Acceptance Test Employers (ATEs).
The DesignLights Consortium (DLC): The DLC is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving energy efficiency, lighting quality, and the human experience in the built environment.
Certified Lighting Controls Professional (CLCP): This certification, maintained by the interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO), is based on the entire Education Express curriculum.
Electrician Certification in the State of California: Individuals performing work as electricians under a C-10 licensed contractor in California must be certified, with certification maintenance requiring continuing education by a provider recognized by the State. The State of California recognizes the Lighting Controls Association as an authorized continuing education provider with Irvine Valley College, Electrician Trainee Program #125. Education Express learning hours are therefore recognized as eligible for continuing education requirements.
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