The only task lights that are exempt are those that are furniture-mounted with automatic shut-off, but note that ASHRAE requires you to provide independent controls for these task lights. (This can also contribute to EAc1.2: Optimize Energy Performance—Li

Task lights can be exempt from the calculations if they are furniture-mounted with independent controls (automatic shut-off by timer or occupancy-sensor, see ASHRAE 90.1-2007, 9.2.2.3,p). Plug-in task lights can also be exempt if they are not part of the overall lighting strategy, meaning they are not specified in the design documents. However, if they are exempted from the calculation, they cannot be counted for EQc6.1: Controllability of Systems—Lighting.