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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 January 1, 2020, the 2020 NEC is in effect in one state, the 2017 NEC is in effect in 31 states, the 2014 NEC is in effect in 11 states, the 2011 NEC is in effect in one state, and the 2008 NEC is in effect in three 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 - 1/1/2020

 

The National Electrical Code® process in progress

As of January 1, 2020, One state has completed their 2020 NEC update process. Thirty-one states have completed their 2017 NEC update process. Eight other states are in the process of revising the statute or administrative rule through which the NEC is updated to reference the 2017 edition. Eleven states that are 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 using the 2014, 2011 or 2008 of the NEC and are not in the process of updating the edition currently in use.

 

NEC update process in progress - 1/1/2020

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)

2017 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 

2014 (1/1/2017) 

1/1/2020

 

Colorado

2017 (6/1/2017) 

 

 

Connecticut

2017 (10/1/2018)

  

 

Delaware

2014 (3/11/2016)

Update process underway 
(Effective date not established)

 

Florida

2014 (12/31/2017)

Update process underway (12/31/2020) 

  

Georgia 

2017 (1/1/2018)

  

 
Hawaii 
 2017 (8/21/2018)

Idaho
 2017 (7/1/2017)

Illinois  2008 (7/1/11 - commercial occupancies for areas outside of local jurisdictions that have adoption authority)
 Not in process
 Not in process
Indiana
 2008
 One- and two-family dwellings -2018 IRC Electrical Chapters, based on 2017 NEC
(Effective date not established)		 Not in process
Iowa 
 2017 (1/1/2018) 
 
Kansas
 2008 (2/4/11 - State Fire Marshal) Not in process Not in process
Kentucky
 		 2017 (1/1/2019)     
Louisiana  2014 (2/1/2018)
  

Maine 
 2017 with Maine amendments (11/6/2017)    
Maryland  2014 (1/1/2015)  Update process underway (1/1/2020)  
Massachusetts   2017 w/MA Amendments (1/1/2017)     
Michigan   2017
Commercial (1/4/2019)
One- and two-family dwellings (2/8/2016) 		    
Minnesota 
 		 2017 (7/1/2017)

Mississippi
 Local adoption only    
Missouri 
 Local adoption only
    
Montana 
 2014 (10/23/2014) Update process underway (effective date not established)
Nebraska 
 		 2017 (8/1/17)

Nevada
 2011 (7/1/13 - Nevada State Pubic Works Division) Not in process Not in process
New Hampshire 
 2017 with NH amendments (1/1/2018)
 
New Jersey
 2017 (9/3/19 with 6 month grace period for new permits)
    
New Mexico 
 2017 (2/1/2018)     
New York  2014 (4/6/2016 with 6-month grace period ending 10/3/2016)  Update process underway 
(3/2020)		  
North Carolina 
 		 2017 (6/12/2018)
 
North Dakota 
 		 2017 (7/1/2017)  
Ohio 
 

2017
Commercial (11/1/2017)

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

 One-, two- and three-family dwellings (7/1/2019)
  
Oklahoma 
 		 2014
Commercial (11/1/2015)
Residential 2015 IRC Electrical
Chapters (11/1/2016) 		 Update process underway
(effective date not established)		  
Oregon 
 		 2017 with Oregon amendments (10/1/2017)
 		    
Pennsylvania
 		 2014
 		  
Rhode Island 
 		 2017 (8/1/2019)
 
 
South Carolina
 2014 (7/1/2016)
 Update process underway (1/1/2020 projected)  
South Dakota 
 		 2017 (7/1/2017)
 
 
Tennessee
 2017 (10/1/2018)
 
Texas
 2017 (9/1/2017)
 
Utah

2017 
Commercial (7/1/2018)

2014
One- and two-family dwellings (7/1/2016)
 
Vermont
 2017 with Vermont amendments (10/1/2017)
 
Virginia
 2014
 		    
Washington 2017 (7/1/2017)
 
West Virginia
 2014 (8/1/2016)
 Not in process  
Wisconsin
 2017
Commercial (8/1/2018)
 One- and two-family dwellings (1/1/2020)
  
Wyoming
 2017 (7/1/2017)
 
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)