Reference Guide
NEC Adoption by State
Which edition of the National Electrical Code each US state currently enforces. Updated for 2026.
1
NEC 2026
31
NEC 2023
15
NEC 2020
3
NEC 2017 or earlier
NEC adoption varies by local jurisdiction. Some cities (e.g., Chicago, New York City) enforce their own electrical codes that may differ from statewide adoption. Always check with your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).
| State | NEC Edition | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | 2020 | Alabama currently enforces the 2020 NEC statewide. It became effective with the state's 2021 building code adoption on July 1, 2022. The state building code sources provided focus on I-Codes/companion codes and do not explicitly list the NEC in the excerpt, but secondary adoption trackers consistently identify statewide NEC 2020. Local amendments may apply. | |
| Alaska (AK) | 2020 | Alaska statewide adopts the 2020 NEC by reference in 8 AAC 70.025 as the minimum electrical code. Local jurisdictions may enforce with Alaska-specific amendments or local administration, but the statewide minimum is NEC 2020. | |
| Arizona (AZ) | 2023 | No statewide NEC adoption in Arizona; electrical codes are set by local jurisdictions. Use the edition enforced by the project’s city/county. Major jurisdictions commonly enforce recent codes, with 2023 NEC commonly used in larger cities, but local amendments and variations apply. | |
| Arkansas (AR) | 2020 | Arkansas statewide electrical code adopts the 2020 National Electrical Code. The Board of Electrical Examiners incorporated NEC 2020 by rule; state-specific amendments apply, including modifications to certain NEC provisions. | |
| California (CA) | 2023 | California statewide enforces the 2025 California Electrical Code, which is based on NFPA 70 (NEC) 2023, with state amendments. Local jurisdictions may also have additional amendments. | |
| Colorado (CO) | 2023 | Colorado statewide enforces the 2023 NEC as the minimum standard. Effective August 1, 2023. Municipalities must adhere to at least the minimum standards of the adopted code, but may enact and enforce local amendments or stricter standards. | |
| Connecticut (CT) | 2020 | Connecticut currently enforces the 2020 NEC statewide as part of the 2022 Connecticut State Building Code, with state amendments. A future 2026 code update has been discussed, but Source 1 indicates it is not yet effective and may be delayed pending legislative approval. | |
| Delaware (DE) | 2023 | Delaware statewide adopted the 2023 NEC effective January 1, 2026. Earlier sources listing 2020 NEC effective 2021-09-01 are outdated; Delaware had previously enforced 2020 before the 2023 update. Source 2 indicates adoption without amendments. | |
| Florida (FL) | 2020 | Florida statewide electrical code is the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), which uses the 2020 NEC. Source 1 shows the 8th Edition FBC effective 2025-07-06; adoption references indicate Florida’s electrical code remained based on NEC 2020. Florida has statewide adoption, with possible state/local amendments. | |
| Georgia (GA) | 2023 | Georgia statewide enforces the 2023 NEC as the State Minimum Standard Electrical Code. It took effect statewide on 2025-01-01, and Georgia-specific 2026 amendments took effect on 2026-01-01; the base NEC edition remains 2023. | |
| Hawaii (HI) | 2023 | Hawaii has statewide adoption of NEC 2023. Search results indicate it became effective September 1, 2024. Earlier 2022 state documents and some secondary sources still reference NEC 2020 and county adoption deadlines, so older/local references may remain. Counties may adopt amendments, but the statewide edition currently in effect is 2023. | |
| Idaho (ID) | 2023 | Idaho currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide, with Idaho-specific amendments in Idaho Admin. Code r. 24.39.10.600. Temporary rules took effect in 2024; permits pulled before 2024-04-19 remain under the 2017 NEC during inspections. | |
| Illinois (IL) | 2023 | Illinois began statewide building code requirements effective 2025-01-01 under Public Act 103-0510. Source provided shows the Illinois Electrical Code adopts NFPA 70 (NEC) 2023 effective 2025-01-01 without amendments. Before 2025, Illinois had no statewide electrical code mandate and local governments could adopt their own codes, so local variations may still exist in municipalities/counties. | |
| Indiana (IN) | 2023 | Indiana is in the process of adopting the 2023 NEC as the Indiana Electrical Code, 2026 Edition, which would repeal the older 2009 Indiana Electrical Code. The cited state documents appear to be draft/proposed rulemaking and say the new rule becomes effective 180 days after filing, so statewide enforcement of the 2023 NEC appears pending rather than already in effect. | |
| Iowa (IA) | 2023 | Iowa currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide. It became effective statewide on 2025-07-01, and HF2800 made immediate changes effective 2026-06-02 by removing prior state electrical amendments and reverting installations to the 2023 NEC as written. Earlier 2026 legislative text showed Iowa-specific exclusions/modifications to the 2023 NEC, but the current DIAL notice indicates those amendments were eliminated. | |
| Kansas (KS) | 2008 | Kansas statewide enforcement is listed as NEC 2008. Local jurisdictions may adopt newer editions independently; for example, Sedgwick County adopted the 2023 NEC effective 2025-01-01. No uniform statewide local edition beyond the state minimum. | |
| Kentucky (KY) | 2023 | Kentucky currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide, with state amendments. The Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction announced the 2023 NEC adoption process in October 2024, and secondary sources indicate it became effective statewide on 2025-01-01. Kentucky began review of the 2026 NEC in March 2026, but that does not indicate it is yet in effect. | |
| Louisiana (LA) | 2020 | Louisiana statewide enforces the NEC 2020 as part of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, with state amendments. La. Admin. Code tit. 17, § I-115 specifically adopts the 2020 NEC. Effective statewide; local amendments may apply if authorized, but this is the current statewide edition reflected in the cited regulations. | |
| Maine (ME) | 2023 | Maine statewide electrical installations commencing on or after 2024-07-01 must comply with the 2023 NEC, as adopted in C.M.R. 02, 318, ch. 120. State adoption is statewide, with possible local ordinances/amendments also applicable. | |
| Maryland (MD) | 2020 | Maryland currently enforces NEC 2020 statewide with amendments. Source provided indicates an effective date of March 28, 2026. The Maryland building code matrix lists building-related codes but does not clearly identify the electrical code edition in the excerpt, so NEC 2020 is supported by the electrical-code-specific source. Local jurisdictions may apply amendments. | |
| Massachusetts (MA) | 2026 | Massachusetts statewide electrical code is 527 CMR 12.00, an amended version of NFPA 70 (NEC). Search results indicate the state adopted the 2026 NEC on 2026-04-24. Earlier sources citing the 2023 NEC were superseded by this 2026 update. | |
| Michigan (MI) | 2023 | Michigan has a statewide electrical code adopting NEC 2023 (second printing) with state amendments/exceptions in Part 8, Electrical Code. | |
| Minnesota (MN) | 2023 | Minnesota currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry states the 2023 NEC took effect July 1, 2023; permits filed before that date use the 2020 NEC, and permits filed on or after that date use the 2023 NEC. There are proposed 2026 NEC rule changes mentioned in later documents, but those are proposals and do not supersede the current statewide adoption shown in Source 1. | |
| Mississippi (MS) | 2023 | Mississippi currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide through the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Source 1 indicates the Mississippi Electrical Code 2023 took effect statewide on 2025-01-01; Source 2 also identifies NEC 2023 statewide but gives an earlier effective date. Based on the search results, the current edition in effect is 2023. Local jurisdictions may have amendments or administration differences, but the statewide base code is NEC 2023. | |
| Missouri (MO) | 2023 | No statewide adoption in Missouri; electrical code is set by local jurisdictions. Major cities can vary, and some jurisdictions such as Independence have adopted the 2023 NEC. Verify with the local building department for the project location. | |
| Montana (MT) | 2020 | Montana statewide adopts the 2020 NEC by administrative rule (Mont. Admin. r. 24.301.401). State amendments apply, including a noted amendment to 210.8(A). | |
| Nebraska (NE) | 2023 | Nebraska has statewide adoption of the 2023 NEC. The Nebraska State Electrical Division states it began adopting NFPA 70 National Electrical Code 2023 on August 1, 2024, including exam updates. A 2026 bill to update NEC references appears to have died, so the current statewide edition remains 2023. | |
| Nevada (NV) | 2017 | No single statewide NEC mandate for all jurisdictions. Nevada law leaves NEC adoption to city and county governing bodies, which must use the most recently approved NEC for that local jurisdiction. State/Public Works references NFPA 70 via adopted building codes, and search results indicate 2017 NEC effective 2018-07-01. Local variations exist: e.g., Boulder City and Henderson show 2017 NEC, while some counties/jurisdictions may differ or be updating. | |
| New Hampshire (NH) | 2023 | New Hampshire currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide, with state amendments. Sources indicate the New Hampshire Electrical Code 2023 is in effect statewide. Local amendments may still apply. | |
| New Jersey (NJ) | 2020 | New Jersey statewide electrical subcode adopts NEC 2020 with Tentative Interim Amendments 1-9. State-specific amendments may apply. | |
| New Mexico (NM) | 2020 | New Mexico statewide adopts the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code, which adopts the 2020 NEC with state amendments. It applies to contracting work under CID jurisdiction. Permits applied for before the effective date may remain under the prior code. | |
| New York (NY) | 2023 | New York statewide currently enforces NEC 2023 through the 2025 NYS Uniform Code. Effective statewide on 2025-12-31. Local variation: New York City uses its own 2025 NYC Electrical Code based on the 2020 NEC with city-specific amendments. | |
| North Carolina (NC) | 2020 | North Carolina currently enforces the 2020 NEC statewide with state amendments. The 2023 NEC was adopted to take effect on 2025-01-01, but OSFM notes its effective date is under an indefinite delay, so 2020 remains in effect. Check North Carolina state amendments. | |
| North Dakota (ND) | 2023 | North Dakota statewide electrical code is based on NEC 2023 with state amendments. Sources indicate it took effect statewide on 2024-07-01. UpCodes also shows a future adoption timeline entry for 2026, but the current statewide code in effect is 2023. | |
| Ohio (OH) | 2023 | Ohio currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide. Ohio adopts the NEC through the state electrical/building code with state amendments; search results also note some scope limitations such as commercial-only references in secondary sources, so local enforcement details may vary by occupancy/use. | |
| Oklahoma (OK) | 2023 | Oklahoma currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide for commercial electrical construction, as adopted by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission with state amendments. It superseded the 2020 NEC on 2024-09-14. | |
| Oregon (OR) | 2023 | Oregon statewide enforces the 2023 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC), which is based on the 2023 NEC. Effective statewide Oct. 1, 2023. Oregon has state amendments to the NEC; additional errata took effect Jan. 1, 2025, and further amendments took effect Jan. 1, 2026. Oregon is beginning adoption of the 2026 OESC, anticipated Oct. 1, 2026. | |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | 2020 | Pennsylvania enforces a statewide Uniform Construction Code. Search results indicate NEC 2020 is currently in effect statewide, alongside 2021 I-Codes-based UCC updates. Source 1 shows 2021 building code adoption, while Source 2 specifically identifies the electrical code as NEC 2020. Note: Pennsylvania had litigation affecting 2021 accessibility provisions in the UCC, but that does not change the NEC edition. | |
| Rhode Island (RI) | 2023 | Rhode Island statewide electrical code is based on the 2023 NEC with Rhode Island-specific amendments. Multiple sources indicate the new code took effect statewide on 2025-12-01. | |
| South Carolina (SC) | 2020 | South Carolina statewide code is based on the 2020 NEC with state-specific modifications adopted by the Building Codes Council. Search results indicate the 2020 NEC became effective statewide on 2023-01-01. A 2026 bill references a proposed regulation update, but the currently effective statewide edition in the provided sources is still 2020. | |
| South Dakota (SD) | 2023 | South Dakota statewide enforces the 2023 NEC with state amendments/exceptions. The South Dakota Electrical Commission states the 2023 code became effective Nov. 12, 2024; previously the state used the 2020 NEC with exceptions. | |
| Tennessee (TN) | 2017 | Tennessee statewide adopts the 2017 NEC. Source 1 explicitly states the National Electrical Code, 2017 edition, is effective statewide. Tennessee materials from the State Fire Marshal’s Office also continue to reference 2017 NEC electrical code training/resources. No contrary statewide adoption of 2020 or 2023 is shown in the provided results; local amendments may apply. | |
| Texas (TX) | 2023 | Texas currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide as the minimum standard. Effective Sept. 1, 2023. Municipalities may adopt local amendments. Texas is slated to adopt the 2026 NEC on 2026-09-01, but that is not yet in effect. | |
| Utah (UT) | 2023 | Utah statewide adopted the 2023 NEC with state amendments. Source 4 cites Utah’s statewide NEC amendments effective 2024-02-16, indicating the adopted NEC is in force statewide for non-IRC installations. Source 2 shows a 2025 bill to align with updated NEC standards, suggesting further updates may occur later, but the current statewide edition in effect from the provided results is 2023. | |
| Vermont (VT) | 2023 | Vermont has adopted the 2023 NEC with amendments. Search results indicate it became effective statewide on 2025-11-05. Earlier sources listing NEC 2020 effective 2022-04-15 appear superseded. Proposed/adopted 2025 Vermont Electrical Safety Rules confirm the update to NEC 2023. | |
| Virginia (VA) | 2020 | Virginia currently enforces NEC 2020 statewide as part of the 2021 Virginia Construction Code/USBC. The current Virginia code package became effective 2024-01-18; earlier references may list 2021-07-01 for the prior cycle. Statewide code applies, with possible state/local amendments but not a no-adoption state. | |
| Washington (WA) | 2023 | Washington statewide electrical rules adopt the 2023 NEC in WAC 296-46B-010. It replaced the 2020 NEC. L&I exam materials may still reference 2020 temporarily, but the enforced statewide code is 2023. A future rulemaking mentions adoption of the 2026 NEC, but that is not the current statewide edition in effect from the provided results. | |
| West Virginia (WV) | 2020 | West Virginia currently enforces the 2020 NEC statewide with state amendments. Source shows West Virginia Electrical Code 2020 effective August 1, 2022. The State Fire Marshal also notes WV electrical exams switch to the 2023 NEC on 2026-01-01, but that appears to be for exams and does not override the current statewide enforcement edition in the provided results. | |
| Wisconsin (WI) | 2023 | Wisconsin adopted an updated state electrical code in SPS 316 effective 2026-09-01. The 2026 DSPS announcement and CR 26-016 rulemaking indicate this is the current statewide code update; Wisconsin enforces a statewide electrical code with state amendments rather than relying solely on local adoption. | |
| Wyoming (WY) | 2023 | Wyoming currently enforces the 2023 NEC statewide. Sources indicate adoption without amendments. Local jurisdictions may still have administrative requirements, but the statewide electrical code is NFPA 70, 2023. |
Why NEC Edition Matters
The edition of the NEC your state enforces directly affects what you can and cannot install. Each new edition introduces updated requirements for arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection, ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) locations, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and energy storage systems. A project designed to NEC 2023 requirements may not pass inspection in a jurisdiction still on NEC 2020 if newer provisions were relied upon, and vice versa. For electrical contractors working across state lines, knowing which edition applies in each jurisdiction is essential for accurate estimates, correct material selection, and passing inspection on the first visit.
How NEC Adoption Works
The NEC is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on a three-year cycle. However, the NEC is a model code — it has no legal force until a state or local government formally adopts it. The adoption process varies by state. Some states adopt via legislation, others through administrative rulemaking by a state board or commission. Many states adopt the NEC with amendments that modify or delete specific sections to reflect local conditions, construction practices, or political priorities. This process typically introduces a lag of one to four years between publication of a new edition and its enforcement at the state level. Local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) — cities, counties, and fire districts — may adopt a different edition than the state, or enforce additional local amendments. Always verify the edition in effect with the AHJ where the work will be performed.
Key Changes Between NEC Editions
Each edition of the NEC builds on the previous one. Here are the most significant changes electricians and contractors should be aware of:
- NEC 2020: Expanded GFCI requirements to 250-volt outlets, added provisions for energy storage systems (Article 706), broadened outdoor emergency disconnects for one- and two-family dwellings, and updated surge protection requirements.
- NEC 2023: New Article 750 for Energy Management Systems, expanded EV charging infrastructure rules, updated load calculation methods for dwelling units (Article 220), strengthened arc-energy reduction requirements for services, and revised GFCI protection for 240-volt appliances including dishwashers and electric ranges.
- NEC 2026: Updated requirements for bidirectional power systems and microgrids, enhanced provisions for battery energy storage integration, streamlined EV charging installation standards, and refined AFCI/GFCI coordination requirements for modern electrical systems.
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