NEC Edition by State

NEC 2020, 2023, and 2026 are all enforced somewhere in the US right now. States adopt each new edition of the National Electrical Code on their own legislative timeline — some move fast, some take years. Find your state below to see which edition currently applies.

Which NEC Edition Does Your State Use?

NEC 2020, 2023, and 2026 are all in active use right now — states adopt each edition on their own timeline.

3
States on NEC 2026
38
States on NEC 2023
7
States on NEC 2020
3
No Statewide Code / Other
State Current Edition Scope Notes
Alabama NEC 2023 statewide
Alaska NEC 2020 statewide Not independently re-verified this session against a primary source — confirm before relying on this row.
Arizona NEC 2023 local varies No single statewide mandate — the county or city decides. 2023 is the common baseline used by most jurisdictions; always confirm with your local AHJ.
Arkansas NEC 2023 statewide
California NEC 2023 statewide 2025 California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3), effective Jan 1, 2026, adopts the 2023 NEC with California amendments. California's triennial cycle runs about one NEC edition behind the national schedule. Practice Tests
Colorado NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending (Aug 2026)
statewide 2026 adoption hearing held May 27, 2026 by the Colorado Electrical Board; expected effective around Aug 1, 2026 pending finalization.
Connecticut NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
Delaware NEC 2023 statewide
Florida NEC 2020 statewide 8th Edition Florida Building Code, effective Dec 31, 2023, adopts the 2020 NEC with Florida amendments — Florida runs about a cycle behind the national NEC schedule. Practice Tests
Georgia NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
Hawaii NEC 2023 statewide
Idaho NEC 2023 statewide Effective Jan 17, 2026 per the Idaho Division of Building Safety — Idaho had been enforcing an older edition until this update. Not yet on NEC 2026 despite some third-party trackers claiming otherwise.
Illinois NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
local varies No single statewide electrical code — adopted locally by city/county (Chicago enforces its own electrical code). 2023 is the common baseline elsewhere in the state.
Indiana NEC 2017 statewide Indiana enforces the 2017 NEC with state amendments for one- and two-family dwellings; commercial requirements can differ locally.
Iowa NEC 2023 statewide
Kansas NEC 2023 local varies Adoption is left to local jurisdictions across much of the state.
Kentucky NEC 2023 statewide
Louisiana NEC 2023 statewide
Maine NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
Maryland NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
Massachusetts NEC 2026 statewide Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00), 2026 edition, voted by the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations Advisory Committee on Jan 5, 2026 — one of the first states enforcing NEC 2026.
Michigan NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
Minnesota NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry has an active 2026 adoption review underway.
Mississippi NEC 2023 statewide
Missouri NEC 2020 no statewide code No mandatory statewide electrical code — adopted locally by individual cities and counties. Edition shown is a common regional baseline, not a state mandate; always confirm with your local building department.
Montana NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
Nebraska NEC 2023 statewide
Nevada NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
local varies No single statewide mandate — Clark County/Las Vegas and other jurisdictions each set their own adoption timeline.
New Hampshire NEC 2026 statewide Reported adopted alongside Massachusetts and Vermont. Confirm directly with the NH State Fire Marshal / building code review board before relying on this for exam prep — not independently confirmed against a primary source this session.
New Jersey NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
New Mexico NEC 2023 statewide
New York NEC 2023 statewide State Electrical Board adopted the 2023 NEC effective Aug 1, 2023; the broader state Uniform Code transition completed around Dec 2025. New York City enforces its own NYC Electrical Code, which can differ from the state Uniform Code — always check NYC DOB separately for city work.
North Carolina NEC 2020
NEC 2023 pending
statewide 2023 NEC adoption reported in progress; the 2020 NEC is currently enforced statewide.
North Dakota NEC 2023 statewide
Ohio NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
Oklahoma NEC 2023 statewide
Oregon NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending (Oct 2026)
statewide 2026 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code adoption process underway; effective date reported as Oct 1, 2026. Not yet on NEC 2026 despite some third-party trackers claiming otherwise.
Pennsylvania No statewide code no statewide code Pennsylvania has no mandatory statewide electrical code — adopted locally by county/municipality (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each maintain their own codes). Always confirm with your local building department.
Rhode Island NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
South Carolina NEC 2023 statewide
South Dakota NEC 2023 statewide
Tennessee NEC 2020 statewide
Texas NEC 2023 statewide Effective Sept 1, 2023. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) adopts the revised NEC every 3 years per the Texas Occupations Code. Practice Tests
Utah NEC 2020 statewide 2020 NEC took effect statewide July 1, 2023 as part of the 2021 I-code adoption cycle. Not yet on NEC 2026 despite some third-party trackers claiming otherwise.
Vermont NEC 2026 statewide Reported adopted alongside Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Confirm directly with the Vermont Department of Public Safety before relying on this for exam prep — not independently confirmed against a primary source this session.
Virginia NEC 2020 statewide
Washington NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending (Dec 2026)
statewide L&I proposing full adoption of the 2026 NEC with a delayed effective date of Dec 31, 2026. Not yet on NEC 2026 despite some third-party trackers claiming otherwise.
West Virginia NEC 2023 statewide
Wisconsin NEC 2023
NEC 2026 pending
statewide 2026 adoption reported in progress.
Wyoming NEC 2023 statewide
District of Columbia No statewide code statewide No data found during this research pass — this row must be verified before being trusted or displayed with confidence.

Data as of July 2026. verified against a primary source · reported by secondary trackers · unverified — NEC adoption is an ongoing legislative process and cities/counties can differ from their state or lag behind it. This table is a study aid, not a legal reference — always confirm the current requirement with your state licensing board or local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before an exam or an installation.

Why does this matter for your exam?

Licensing exam questions are usually written against whatever NEC edition your state currently enforces — not necessarily the newest published edition. If a practice question and your state board disagree on an article number, trust your state board. See our NEC 2023 and NEC 2026 change guides for what moved between editions.