The National Electrical Code (NEC), formally known as NFPA 70, is the benchmark standard for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection in the United States. While the NEC is published nationally by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), its adoption and enforcement are determined at the state or local level.
Each state—or its Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) such as a state fire marshal, building department, or local municipality—decides:
Which NEC edition is legally enforced
The effective date of adoption
Whether local amendments apply
Continuing Education (CEU) requirements for electrician license renewal
This guide provides a state-by-state reference to NEC adoption status and effective dates, helping licensed electricians, contractors, and employers stay compliant.
Why NEC Adoption Varies by State
Although NFPA updates the NEC every three years, states may:
Adopt the latest edition immediately
Delay adoption by several years
Enforce different editions for residential vs. commercial work
Delegate authority to local jurisdictions
Because CEU requirements often align with the adopted NEC edition, understanding your state’s adoption status is critical for:
License renewal
Inspection compliance
Course selection
NEC Adoption and CEU Reference Table (All States)
Note: “Local Adoption” means cities or counties may enforce different NEC editions. Always verify with your local AHJ.
| State | Adopted NEC Edition | Effective Date | Adoption Type | License Renewal CEU Impact | Research‑Backed Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2020 | 7/1/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU required | NFPA Code Adoption Maps; Alabama Electrical Contractors Board |
| Alaska | 2020 | 4/16/2020 | Statewide | NEC update accepted | NFPA; Alaska Dept. of Labor |
| Arizona | Local | n/a | Local Jurisdiction | Depends on city/county | NFPA; Arizona Registrar of Contractors |
| Arkansas | 2020 | 8/1/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; Arkansas Dept. of Labor |
| California | 2020 | 1/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU (2023 pending 2026) | NFPA; CA Dept. of Housing & Community Development |
| Colorado | 2023 | 8/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; CO Dept. of Regulatory Agencies |
| Connecticut | 2020 | 10/1/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; CT Dept. of Consumer Protection |
| Delaware | 2020 | 9/1/2021 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; Delaware Fire Prevention Commission |
| District of Columbia | 2014 | 5/29/2020 | District Code | Older NEC CEU accepted | NFPA; DC Dept. of Buildings |
| Florida | 2020 | 12/31/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; FL Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation |
| Georgia | 2023 | 1/1/2025 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU required | NFPA; GA State Fire Marshal |
| Hawaii | 2020 | 3/14/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; HI Dept. of Accounting & General Services |
| Idaho | 2023 | 7/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; Idaho Division of Occupational Licenses |
| Illinois | Local | Varies | Local Adoption | Varies by municipality | NFPA; Illinois Capital Development Board |
| Indiana | 2017 (Res) / 2008 (Com) | 12/26/2019 | Mixed | Edition-specific CEU | NFPA; Indiana Professional Licensing Agency |
| Iowa | 2023 | 7/1/2025 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; Iowa Dept. of Inspections & Appeals |
| Kansas | Local / State | 2/24/2011 | Hybrid | AHJ dependent | NFPA; KS State Fire Marshal |
| Kentucky | 2023 | 1/1/2025 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; KY Dept. of Housing |
| Louisiana | 2020 | 1/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; LA State Uniform Construction Code |
| Maine | 2023 | 7/1/2024 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; ME Office of Professional Regulation |
| Maryland | 2023 | 3/1/2025 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; MD Dept. of Labor |
| Massachusetts | 2023 | 2/17/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; MA Board of State Examiners |
| Michigan | 2023 (Com) / 2017 (Res) | 3/12/2024 | Mixed | Upgrade pending | NFPA; MI Licensing & Regulatory Affairs |
| Minnesota | 2023 | 7/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; MN Dept. of Labor & Industry |
| Mississippi | Local | n/a | Local | Local CEU rules | NFPA; MS State Fire Marshal |
| Missouri | Local | n/a | Local | Local CEU rules | NFPA; MO Division of Fire Safety |
| Montana | 2020 | 6/10/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; MT Dept. of Labor |
| Nebraska | 2023 | 8/1/2024 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; NE State Electrical Division |
| Nevada | 2017 | 7/1/2018 | Statewide | Older NEC CEU | NFPA; NV State Contractors Board |
| New Hampshire | 2020 | 7/1/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; NH Fire Standards Commission |
| New Jersey | 2020 | 6/2/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; NJ Dept. of Community Affairs |
| New Mexico | 2020 | 3/28/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; NM Construction Industries Division |
| New York | 2017 | 5/12/2020 | Statewide | NEC 2017 CEU | NFPA; NY Dept. of State |
| North Carolina | 2020 | 11/1/2021 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; NC Dept. of Insurance |
| North Dakota | 2023 | 7/1/2024 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; ND State Electrical Board |
| Ohio | 2023 | 4/15/2024 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; OH Board of Building Standards |
| Oklahoma | 2023 | 9/14/2024 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; OK Construction Industries Board |
| Oregon | 2023 | 10/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; OR Building Codes Division |
| Pennsylvania | 2017 | 2/14/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2017 CEU | NFPA; PA Labor & Industry |
| Rhode Island | 2020 | 2/1/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; RI Dept. of Labor |
| South Carolina | 2020 | 1/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; SC Building Codes Council |
| South Dakota | 2023 | 11/12/2024 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; SD Electrical Commission |
| Tennessee | 2017 | 10/1/2018 | Statewide | NEC 2017 CEU | NFPA; TN Dept. of Commerce & Insurance |
| Texas | 2023 | 9/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; TX Dept. of Licensing & Regulation |
| Utah | 2020 (Com) / 2014 (Res) | 7/1/2021 | Mixed | Edition-specific | NFPA; UT DOPL |
| Vermont | 2020 | 4/15/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; VT Dept. of Public Safety |
| Virginia | 2020 | 1/18/2024 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; VA Dept. of Housing |
| Washington | 2023 | 4/1/2024 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; WA Building Code Council |
| West Virginia | 2020 | 8/1/2022 | Statewide | NEC 2020 CEU | NFPA; WV State Fire Marshal |
| Wisconsin | 2017 | 2/1/2020 | Statewide | NEC 2017 CEU | NFPA; WI Safety & Professional Services |
| Wyoming | 2023 | 7/1/2023 | Statewide | NEC 2023 CEU | NFPA; WY Electrical Board |
How NEC Adoption Affects Electrician CEU Requirements
Most states require licensed electricians to complete continuing education hours tied to the currently adopted NEC edition. Common patterns include:
NEC Update Courses (4–16 hours)
Code Change-Specific Training (e.g., 2020 → 2023 changes)
State-specific amendment education
If your state recently adopted the 2023 NEC, CEU courses focused on older editions may no longer qualify for renewal.
Local Jurisdiction Warning (Critical)
Even in states with statewide adoption, local AHJs may enforce stricter rules, including:
Earlier NEC editions
Additional safety amendments
Separate inspection standards
Always confirm requirements with:
Local building department
State electrical licensing board
State fire marshal’s office
Official Sources & References
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – NEC (NFPA 70)
NFPA Code Adoption Maps
State Electrical Licensing Boards (varies by state)
International Code Council (ICC) – State code resources
Need Help Choosing the Right CEU Course?
Selecting the correct continuing education course depends on:
Your license type
State and local NEC adoption
Renewal cycle timing
If you have questions about NEC updates, CEU eligibility, or license renewal, contact a qualified education provider or your state licensing authority for guidance.