Not verbatim, as the bible is in the truck:
Egress lighting shall be connected to the local lighting circuit, ahead of the switch. Where there are more than three (3) local lighting circuits, an independent circuit may be installed, provided with a 'breaker lock'. (Meaning in a large open area with 4 to xx lighting circuits)
What you describe sounds like the "old" way, they used to tap a circuit ahead of the main (with OCP sized to the conductor) and feed all the "exit" units.
John
