{
  "name": "Which National Electrical Code edition each US state enforces: adoption status, effective dates and amendments, from the state boards themselves",
  "description": "The NEC edition currently in force in each US state, with the effective date, the adopting authority, whether state amendments apply, and any announced transition to a newer edition. The spread is real and moving: Minnesota has adopted the 2026 NEC effective Aug. 17, 2026 (permits filed before that date follow the 2023 NEC); Oregon's 2023 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, based on the 2023 NEC, took effect Oct. 1, 2023 with a published table of amendments; other states remain on the 2020 or 2017 editions, and several have no statewide adoption at all, leaving it to local jurisdictions. Answers 'which NEC edition is in effect in my state?', 'which states have adopted the 2026 NEC?', 'does my state amend the NEC or adopt it unamended?', 'when does the new electrical code take effect for permits?'",
  "url": "https://referencesource.org/nec-edition-adoption-by-state/",
  "licence": "Sources are US state government pages (public records). We take facts plus short attributed quotes linking back.",
  "last_verified": "2026-08-11",
  "stale_after": "2026-12-09",
  "sources": [
    "https://dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical",
    "https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/electrical-contractors/electrical-codes-and-standards",
    "https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/oesc-adoption.aspx",
    "https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/electrical.aspx",
    "https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-010"
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "state": "Colorado",
      "adopting_authority": "State Electrical Board",
      "upcoming_transition": "the Colorado Electrical Board held a Rulemaking Hearing on May 27, 2026, on proposed revisions to Rule 1.5 \u2013 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE, for the purpose of adopting the current 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC)",
      "statute_or_rule": "Rule 1.5 \u2013 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE",
      "id": "colorado",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/nec-edition-adoption-by-state/colorado/",
      "source": "https://dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical",
      "source_quote": "The Colorado Electrical Board will hold a Rulemaking Hearing on May 27, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. (MDT), to receive feedback on proposed revisions to Rule 1.5 \u2013 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE. The purpose is to adopt the current 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC).",
      "verified_fields": [
        "state",
        "statute_or_rule"
      ]
    },
    {
      "state": "Minnesota",
      "nec_edition": "2023 NEC",
      "adopting_authority": "Board of Electricity",
      "upcoming_transition": "the Board of Electricity has adopted the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) with an effective date of Aug. 17, 2026; permits filed on or after Aug. 17, 2026, must comply with the 2026 NEC; licensing exams transition beginning Sept. 8, 2026",
      "statute_or_rule": "Chapter 1315 of the Minnesota State Building Code",
      "id": "minnesota",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/nec-edition-adoption-by-state/minnesota/",
      "source": "https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/electrical-contractors/electrical-codes-and-standards",
      "source_quote": "Board of Electricity has adopted the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) with an effective date of Aug. 17, 2026. Therefore: Electrical permits filed before Aug. 17, 2026, must comply with the 2023 NEC. Electrical permits filed on or after Aug. 17, 2026, must comply with the 2026 NEC. Electrical licensing exams will transition to the 2026 NEC beginning Sept. 8, 2026. Chapter 1315 of the Minnesota State Building Code",
      "verified_fields": [
        "adopting_authority",
        "nec_edition",
        "state",
        "statute_or_rule",
        "upcoming_transition"
      ]
    },
    {
      "state": "Oregon",
      "nec_edition": "2023 National Electrical Code (NEC)",
      "effective_date": "Oct. 1, 2023",
      "adopting_authority": "Building Codes Division",
      "amendments": "adopted with amendments \u2014 Table of amendments to the 2023 NEC published; the table of amendments is designed to be used with the 2023 NEC",
      "statute_or_rule": "2023 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC)",
      "id": "oregon",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/nec-edition-adoption-by-state/oregon/",
      "source": "https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/electrical.aspx",
      "source_quote": "2023 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC) Effective Oct. 1, 2023 Based on the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC)",
      "verified_fields": [
        "effective_date",
        "nec_edition",
        "state",
        "statute_or_rule"
      ],
      "also_reported": [
        {
          "field": "upcoming_transition",
          "value": "the Electrical and Elevator Board has announced the beginning of the code adoption process for the 2026 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC); anticipated adoption date: Oct. 1, 2026; base model code: 2026 NFPA 70, National Electrical Code",
          "source": "https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/oesc-adoption.aspx",
          "source_quote": "The Electrical and Elevator Board has announced the beginning of the code adoption process for the 2026 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC). Anticipated adoption date: Oct. 1, 2026 Base model codes and standards: 2026 NFPA 70, National Electrical Code",
          "as_of": "2026-08-11"
        }
      ],
      "disagreements": []
    },
    {
      "state": "Washington",
      "nec_edition": "The 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 - 2023)",
      "amendments": "adopted with state rules taking precedence \u2014 'This chapter will be followed where there is any conflict between this chapter and the above adopted standards.'",
      "upcoming_transition": "Effective December 31, 2026, the 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70-2026) including Annex A, B, and C is adopted in this chapter by reference and replaces the 2023 edition of the NFPA 70",
      "statute_or_rule": "WAC 296-46B-010",
      "id": "washington",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/nec-edition-adoption-by-state/washington/",
      "source": "https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-010",
      "source_quote": "The 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 - 2023) including Annex A, B, C, and subsequent Errata and Tentative Interim Amendments issued by the National Fire Protection Association; the latest published versions of Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard (ANSI/TIA-568); Commercial Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathway and Spaces (ANSI/TIA-569); Commercial Building Grounding and Bonding Requirements for Telecommunications (ANSI/TIA-607); Residential Telecommunications Cable Standard (ANSI/TIA-570); and the latest published version of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC excluding Appendixes A and B) are hereby adopted by reference as part of this chapter. Effective December 31, 2026, the 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70-2026) including Annex A, B, and C is adopted in this chapter by reference and replaces the 2023 edition of the NFPA 70.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "nec_edition",
        "upcoming_transition"
      ]
    }
  ]
}