The handbook durations
If you are asking how often emergency lights are required to be tested, the simple answer is monthly and yearly where emergency lighting is provided. OSHA’s Small Business Safety and Health Handbook checklist says the monthly function check is 30 seconds, and the annual test is 90 minutes. For a quick workflow, many teams pair that with a reminder tool like emergency light log and keep the same list alongside emergency lights.
NFPA 101 as a state note describes it
For NFPA 101 emergency lighting testing requirements, a Minnesota Department of Health engineering note describes a monthly functional test of at least 30 seconds and an annual test of at least 90 minutes for battery emergency lights. The note also says a state fire code annual duration can differ, so the exact annual timing may depend on the rule being used. If you want a broader starting point, see the guides section for related topics.
Exit route lighting in OSHA
OSHA’s exit route rule says each exit route must be lighted so an employee with normal vision can see along it, exit signs are illuminated, and safeguards such as exit lighting stay in working order. That is the inspection context for emergency lighting, even when the monthly test is only a short function check. You can compare this with the OSHA source and related help in the FAQ.
How to log it
A practical emergency lighting test log can stay simple: list the light, record the test date, add a short note, and keep the last annual maintenance date and emergency light test dates in one place. Fire Inspection Log is designed for that kind of reminder log, with a monthly reminder and a basic entry for dates and notes. It is not a replacement for the source rules, but it can help you keep the record organized.
This is a reminder log, not an inspection and not code compliance. Not a substitute for a licensed fire protection inspection. Rules differ by workplace and by the fire code your local authority uses. Fire Inspection Log is not part of OSHA, NFPA, or any fire marshal office.