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NEC® enforcement

ECCheadernew2Throughout the United States and around the world, NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®), published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), sets the foundation for electrical safety in residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies. Learn more about enforcement efforts, status, and the support of the Electrical Code Coalition, which works to increase focus and emphasis on electrical safety for persons and property through direct and full adoption, application and uniform enforcement of the latest edition of the NEC.

Where is the National Electrical Code® in effect?

NEW! CodeFinder™: Insight you need on NFPA codes and standards.

As of April 1, 2021, the 2020 NEC is in effect in eleven states, the 2017 NEC is in effect in twenty-five, the 2014 NEC is in effect in eight states and the 2008 NEC is in effect in two states. If you have a question on the status of NEC enforcement in any state, please contact Jeff Sargent.

Note: The 2020 edition of the NEC was issued by the NFPA Standards Council on August 5, 2019. The effective date was August 25, 2019, when it officially became available for federal, state, county, and municipal governmental entities to update their electrical installation regulations.

NEC in Effect - 4/1/2021

 

The National Electrical Code® process in progress

As of April 1, 2021, eleven states have completed their 2020 NEC update process. Eleven states currently using the 2017 NEC have commenced the process of revising the statute or administrative rule through which the NEC is updated to reference the 2020 edition. Seven states are in the process of revising the statute or administrative rule through which the NEC is updated to reference the 2017 edition. Six states are using the 2014, 2011 or 2008 of the NEC and are not in the process of updating the edition currently in use. To determine the current edition of the NEC being used in a state, see the NEC in effect map.

  

NEC update process in progress - 4/1/2021

 

The following table shows the edition of the NEC in effect in those states having a statewide regulation that impacts construction, trade licensing, or both. Follow the link to the board or agency responsible for updating the NEC.

 

2011 (Effective date not established)
Texas 2014 (9/1/2014) Adoption process underway (9/1/17)

State

Current Edition of the NEC in effect (effective date)

2020 NEC UPDATE status (effective date)

Other editions of NEC Update status (effective date)

Alabama

2014 (July 1, 2016, (Alabama Division of Construction Management)

  

 

Alaska

2017 (5/9/2018)

 

Arizona

Local adoption only 

 

 

Arkansas 

2017 with AR amendments (1/1/2018) 

  

 

California 

2017 with CA amendments (1/1/2020) 

  

 

Colorado

2020 (7/1/2020) 

  

 

Connecticut

2017 (10/1/2018)

Update process underway
(Effective date not established)

 

Delaware

2014 (3/11/2016)

 

Update process (2017) underway 
(Effective date not established)

Florida

2017 (12/31/2020)

 

  

Georgia 

2020 (1/1/2021)

  

 
Hawaii 
 2017 (8/21/2018)

Idaho
 2017 (7/1/2017)

Update process underway
(7/1/2021)
Illinois  2008 (7/1/11 - commercial occupancies for areas outside of local jurisdictions that have adoption authority)

Indiana
 2008
   Update process (2017) underway 
(Effective date not established)
Iowa 
 2020 with IA amendments (4/1/2021)     
Kansas
 2008 (2/4/11 - State Fire Marshal)  
Kentucky
 		 2017 (1/1/2019)     
Louisiana  2014 (2/1/2018)
  

Maine 
 2017 with Maine amendments (11/6/2017)  Update process underway
(Effective date not established)		  
Maryland  2014 (1/1/2015)     
Massachusetts   2020 w/MA amendments (12/27/2019)     
Michigan   2017
Commercial (1/4/2019)
One- and two-family dwellings (2/8/2016) 		    
Minnesota 
 		 2020 (7/1/2020)
  
Mississippi
 Local adoption only    
Missouri 
 Local adoption only
    
Montana 
 2014 (10/23/2014)
Update process (2017) underway (effective date not established)
Nebraska 
 		 2017 (8/1/17)

Update process underway
(Effective date not established)
Nevada
 2011 (7/1/13 - Nevada State Pubic Works Division)    
New Hampshire 
 2017 with NH amendments (1/1/2018)

Update process underway
(Effective date not established)

  
New Jersey
 2017 (9/3/19 with 6 month grace period for new permits)
    
New Mexico 
 2017 (2/1/2018)   Update process underway
(Effective date not established)
  
New York  2017 (5/12/2020) 
  
North Carolina 
 		 2017 (6/12/2018)

Update process underway
(Effective date not established)

  
North Dakota 
 		 2020 (1/1/2021)    
Ohio 
 

2017
Commercial (11/1/2017)

2017, with Ohio amendments
One-, two- and three-family dwellings (7/1/2019)

Update process underway
(Effective date not established)

  
Oklahoma 
 		 2014
Commercial (11/1/2015)
Residential 2015 IRC Electrical
Chapters (11/1/2016)
   Update process (2017) underway
(effective date not established)
Oregon 
 		 2020 with OR amendments (4/1/2021)
 		    
Pennsylvania
 		 2014
 		   Update (2017) process underway
(Effective date not established)
Rhode Island 
 		 2017 (8/1/2019)
 

Update process underway
(Effective date not established)

  
South Carolina
 2017 with SC amendments (1/1/2020)
    
South Dakota 
 		 2020 (7/1/2020)
 		    
Tennessee
 2017 (10/1/2018)
 
Texas
 2020 (11/1/2020)

    
Utah

2017 
Commercial (7/1/2018)

2014
One- and two-family dwellings (7/1/2016)

 Update process underway 
(7/1/2021)		  
Vermont
 2017 with Vermont amendments (10/1/2017)
 Update process underway
(Effective date not established)		  
Virginia
 2014
 		    
Washington 2020 (10/29/2020)
    
West Virginia
 2017 (3/24/2020)
    
Wisconsin
 2017
Commercial (8/1/2018)
One- and two-family dwellings (1/1/2020)
Wyoming
 2020 (7/1/2020)

    
Chicago 2017 with Chicago amendments (3/1/2018)
 
New York City
 2008 w/NYC amendments (7/1/2011)
2014 (effective date not established)

 

2011 (Effective date not established)
Texas 2014 (9/1/2014) Adoption process underway (9/1/17)