For a bedroom with 5 recessed lights (I will use 26 watt compact fluorescence lights) 8 wall outlets, and a ceiling fan is one 20 amp circuit with an arc fault breaker sufficient, and code compliant? I had planned on two circuits, one 15 amp circuit for the lights and one 20 amp circuit for the rest but thought it reasonable to just use one circuit due to the high cost of arc fault breakers. I am concerned that the inspector won't consider my recessed lighting at 26 watts each since someone else could put 100 watt incandescence lights in them.

This Electrical Wiring in the Home: Arc Fault Breaker Trouble, arc fault breakers, arc fault breaker

Indicates that ARC faults are not required for lighting and could be troublesome.

EDIT: NEC 210.12B Arc Fault for receptacles only

PS: Go to Link Electrical & Lighting top left; Find the sticky on how to read the NEC online

Kiss, you are mis-reading Section 210.12 B. It states all "outlets" in those areas shall be arc fault protected.

It does not say receptacles only.

Check the definition of "outlet", you will find that a light fixture is a "outlet", and I quote, " A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment."

Even a smoke detector, per NEC, needs AFCI protection. Some states waive this requirement.

A light fixture in a bedroom needs AFCI protection.

Port, your circuit as described is fine. Check your local code on the smoke detector issue. You did plan to have a hardwired interconnected smoke detector in each bedroom and one in the hall way, correct?

According to the electrician at Home Depot the arc fault is required for lights as well as receptacles in a bedroom but not allowed for the smoke alarm. So I am going with the one circuit per bedroom plan.

Thanks for the help.

Do me a favor, check with local code, and not a clerk at a hardware store, UNLESS that clerk has a license for that trade.

Good point. He is a licensed electrician. The clerk called him over to answer my question.