electrical safety begins with good codes u.s. electrical ... filet he national electrical code is...

www.iaeimagazine.org September . October 2015 IAEI NEWS 1514 IAEI NEWS September . October 2015 www.iaeimagazine.org

ELECTRICAL CODES & REGULATIONS |

The National Electrical Code is adopted na-tionwide, but how it is adopted and where it is enforced can vary greatly. In the 2008

November/December issue of IAEI magazine, we examined the adoption patterns for the electrical Code—whether a state adopted the NEC across the board or left the adoption up to local jurisdictions.

States fall into three main categories when it comes to Code adoption.

Statewide — the NEC is adopted by the state and is required to be enforced by all jurisdictions; for example, Minnesota.

Hybrid — the NEC is adopted by the state, often for state-owned buildings, but local jurisdictions are allowed to adopt their own local codes; for example, Alabama. This model can also include states which adopt a minimum version of the NEC, and allow lo-cal jurisdictions to adopt either minimum or greater.

Local — the state does not adopt any version of the NEC and all adoptions and enforcements are left to the local jurisdictions; for example, Mississippi.

All of the data compiled were current at the time this issue was sent to the printer. For up-to-date information about code adoption and licensing (not covered in this article), please view Electrical Codes and Regulations on our website at http://www.iaei.org/web/codeadoption

Code Adoptions at a GlanceAs of June 1, 2015, twenty-three states (45%) had adopted the NEC-2014. Eighteen (35%) were on the NEC-2011; seven (14%) were on the NEC-2008; one state (2%) was on the NEC-2005. Arizona and Mississippi (4%) did not adopt the electrical code statewide and left adoption and enforcement solely to the local jurisdictions.

Figure 1. NEC code adoptions as of June 1, 2015.

Each state has its own timetable for adoption of the latest codes. For example, Massachusetts typically adopts the latest version of the NEC at the beginning of each code cycle. Other states may adopt within the next year of the code cycle, or wait three years until the start of the next code cycle to adopt a code. For example, the state of California adopted the NEC-2011 on January 1, 2014, at the start of the NEC-2014 code cycle. Other states may adopt multiple codes; for example, the state of Michigan adopted the NEC-2014 with Michigan Part-8 Amendments on June 18, 2015. This is the 2014 Michigan Electrical Code which covers everything other than 1 & 2 Fam-ily Dwellings that are covered under the Michigan Residential Code Adoption (NEC-2011).

Types of AdoptionThirty-four states (67%) adopt a code that all local jurisdictions must adopt and enforce. This percent-age is up three percent (3%) from our previous 2008 article, because some states began moving towards statewide enforcement. For example, the state of Iowa began statewide enforcement of the NEC-2014, effective January 1, 2015.

by Laura L. Hildreth

Electrical safety begins with good codes enforced uniformly across the nation.

But how uniform are we?U.S. Electrical Codes & Regulations

U.S. Electrical Codes & RegulationsState of the Industry 2015 UpdateState of the Industry 2015 Update

14 IAEI NEWS September . October 2015 www.iaeimagazine.org



There are two types of hybrid adoptions. Six states (12%) have a hybrid enforcement in which local ju-risdictions are allowed to adopt their own local codes, but the codes must meet the minimum code adopted by the state. For example, the NEC-2011 is consid-ered the minimum electrical standard in the state of Alaska, but local jurisdictions can adopt codes that are better than the minimum (i.e., NEC-2014). Eight states (16%) adopt the code, often for state-owned buildings, but local jurisdictions are allowed to adopt and enforce their own codes.

Three states (6%) do not have any state-wide adoption and all adoptions and enforcements are left to the local jurisdictions.

State-by-State Breakdown

Alabama Alabama Building Commission770 Washington Ave Suite 444 Montgomery, AL 36104(334) 242-4082http://www.bc.alabama.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective April 18, 2011.

• Adoption type. Hybrid. Code was adopted by the state for state-owned buildings, but local ju-risdictions can adopt and enforce different codes.

Alaska Division of Labor – Standards and SafetyPO Box 111149Juneau, AK 99811-1149(907) 465-4855http://labor.state.ak.us/lss/home.htm

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective October 16, 2012.

• Adoption type. Hybrid. Adopted code is con-sidered the minimum electrical standard in the state, but local jurisdictions can adopt codes that are better than the minimum.

Arizona Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety

Office of Manufactured Housing1100 West Washington, Suite 100Phoenix, AZ 85007-2935(602) 364-1003http://www.dfbls.az.gov/omh.aspx

• Adopted Code. None. [Note: 2008 National Electrical Code adopted by the Board of Manu-factured Housing. This does not overwrite codes adopted at the local level].

• Adoption type. Local. Each municipality is free to adopt and amend the NEC, and it ranges from the 1990 to the 2014 versions.

Arkansas Arkansas Department of LaborArkansas Board of Electrical Examiners10421 West MarkhamLittle Rock, AR 72205-2190(501) 682-4500http://www.labor.ar.gov/Pages/default.aspx

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective November 21, 2014.

• Adoption type. Statewide. Adopted code is considered the minimum electrical standard in the state, but local jurisdictions can adopt amendments.

California California Building Standards Commission2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130Sacramento, CA 95833(916) 263-0916http://www.bsc.ca.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective January 1, 2014.

• Adoption type. Statewide. All jurisdictions in the state are required to adopt and enforce the code.

Colorado Colorado State Electrical Board1560 Broadway, Suite 1350Denver, CO 80202(303) 894-7800http://www.colorado.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective July 1, 2014.

• Adoption type. Hybrid. The state establishes the minimum standard. Local jurisdictions may make and enforce standards that are more strin-gent than the minimum established by the state, but must furnish a copy thereof to the board.

Connecticut Department of Construction ServicesOffice of State Building Inspector165 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106(860) 713-5850http://www.ct.gov/dcs/cwp/view.asp?a=4447&q=521446&dcsNav

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective February 28, 2014


Delaware Fire Prevention Commission/State Fire Marshall1537 Chestnut Grove RoadDover, DE 19904-1544 (302) 739-3169http://statefiremarshal.delaware.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective December 11, 2012.


District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs1100 4th Street, SWWashington, DC 20024(202) 442-4400http://dcra.dc.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, adopted March 28, 2014.

• Adoption type. District-wide. All district and third-party inspectors are required to enforce the code.

Florida Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation1940 North Monroe StreetTallahassee FL 32399 (850) 487-1824https://www.floridabuilding.org/c/default.aspx


• Adoption type. Statewide.

Georgia Department of Community Affairs60 Executive Park South, NEAtlanta, GA 30329(404) 679-4940http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/construc-tioncodes/

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective January 1, 2015

• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions are required to adopt and enforce the code.

Hawaii Hawaii Building Codes CommissionKalanimoku Building1151 Punchbowl StreetHonolulu, HI 96813(808) 586-0400http://ags.hawaii.gov/bcc/

• Adopted Code. 2008 National Electrical Code• Adoption type. Hybrid. Code was adopted by

the state for state-owned buildings, but local jurisdictions can adopt and enforce different codes. However, the Hawaii Electrical Code is considered the minimum electrical code.

Idaho Division of Building Safety, Electrical Bureau1090 E. Watertower St.Meridian, ID 83642(208) 334-3950http://dbs.idaho.gov/



• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective July 2014.


IllinoisCapital Development Board — Building Codes & Regulations 3rd Floor Stratton - 401 South SpringSpringfield, Illinois 62706https://www.illinois.gov/cdb/business/codes/pages/buildingcodesregulations.aspx

• Adopted Code. 2008 National Electrical Code.• Adoption type. Hybrid. The state of Illinois has

adopted the NEC-2008 statewide effective July 1, 2011, for non-building code jurisdictions. A list of codes used throughout the state can be found on the Building Codes & Regulations website above.

Indiana Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Fire & Building Safety DivisionIndiana Government Center South302 West Washington StreetIndianapolis, IN 46204(800) 457-8283http://www.in.gov/dhs/2906.htm

• Adopted Code. 2008 National Electrical Code. • Adoption type. Hybrid. Local jurisdictions

shall not adopt and enforce their own electri-cal code unless it has been approved by the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Com-mission. In areas without an approved local building department, the office of the State Building Commissioner inspects all build-ings and structures, except those intended for agricultural purposes and one- and two-family dwellings.

Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Building Code Bureau215 East 7th StreetDes Moines, Iowa 50319

(515) 725-6145http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/index.shtml


• Adoption type. Statewide. The code that the Board adopts will apply to all electrical installations across the state. The codes that cities enforce cannot be less restrictive than the state electrical code.

KansasKansas State Fire Marshal800 SW Jackson Street, Suite 104Topeka, KS 66612-1216 (785) 296-3401https://firemarshal.ks.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2008 National Electrical Code.• Adoption type. Hybrid. Code was adopted by

the state for state-owned buildings, but local ju-risdictions can adopt and enforce different codes.

KentuckyDepartment of Housing, Buildings, and Construction101 Sea Hero Rd., Ste. 100 Frankfort, KY 40601(502) 573-0365http://dhbc.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-

tions are required to adopt and enforce the code.

LouisianaDepartment of Public Safety8181 Independence BlvdBaton Rouge, LA 70806(225) 922-0817http://lsuccc.dps.louisiana.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective on January 1, 2010.

• Adoption type. Hybrid. Code was adopted by the state for state-owned buildings and hospitals, but local jurisdictions can adopt and enforce different codes.

Maine Department of Professional and Financial RegulationOffice of Licensing Requirements & RegistrationElectricians’ Examining Board35 State House StationAugusta, ME 04333-0035(207) 624-8603http://www.state.me.us/pfr/professionallicensing/index.shtml

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective July 1, 2014

• Adoption type. Hybrid. Maine has jurisdiction over state buildings and all structures in munici-palities where no local electrical inspector has been appointed.

MarylandOffice of the State Fire Marshal1201 Reisterstown RoadPikesville, MD 21208Phone: 410-653-8980 / 800-525-3124http://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/StateFireMarshal.aspx


• Adoption type. Hybrid. Code was adopted by the state and applies to state-owned facilities and to any jurisdictions that have never adopted a statute to govern electrical work. However, most local jurisdictions adopt and enforce dif-ferent codes. Maryland has two separate codes for buildings. New buildings are governed by the Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS), and buildings that are one year and older are governed by the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code (MBRC) or “Smart Codes.” http://mdcodes.umbc.edu/

Massachusetts Massachusetts Department of Fire ServicesP.O. Box 10251 State RoadStow, MA 01775(978) 567-3100http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dfs/


• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions are required to adopt and enforce the code

Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes & Fire SafetyP.O. Box 30254Lansing, MI 48909(517) 241-9313http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-10575---,00.html

• Adopted Code. The State of Michigan adopted the 2014 National Electrical Code with Michigan Part-8 Amendments on June 18, 2015. This is the 2014 Michigan Electrical Code which covers everything other than 1 & 2 Family Dwellings, which are covered under the Michigan Residen-tial Code Adoption.


Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division443 Lafayette Road N.St. Paul, MN 55155-4342(651) 284-5005 or 1-800-657-3944http://www.dli.mn.gov/Ccld.asp


• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions are required to enforce the code.

Mississippi No state board

• Adoption type: Local. The state of Mississippi does not adopt the NEC on a statewide basis. It is up to the individual units of local government, usually cities but sometimes townships or counties, to adopt and enforce building codes.



Missouri Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety205 Jefferson Street, 13th FloorJefferson City, MO 65101-4421(573) 751-2930http://dfs.dps.mo.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2005 National Electrical Code• Adoption type. Hybrid. Code was adopted by

the state for state-owned buildings, but local ju-risdictions can adopt and enforce different codes.

MontanaMontana State Electrical BoardP.O. Box 200513Helena, MT 59620-0513(406) 841-2328http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/ele_board/board_page.asp



NebraskaState Electrical Division521 South 14th Street, Suite 400Lincoln, NE 68508-2707 (402) 471-3550http://www.electrical.state.ne.us/

• Adopted Code. The 2014 National Electrical Code, effective April 9, 2014.


Nevada No state board

• Adoption type. Hybrid/Local. The state of Ne-vada does not adopt the NEC on a statewide basis. It is up to the individual units of local government, usually cities, but sometimes townships or counties, to adopt and enforce building codes. The State Public Works Di-vision adopts the NEC-2011 for state-owned buildings.

New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Fire SafetyBureau of Electrical Safety & Licensing Requirements33 Hazen DriveConcord, NH 03305(603) 223-4289http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/firesafety/in-dex.html



New Jersey Bureau of Code ServicesN.J. Department of Community AffairsPO Box 802Trenton, NJ 08625-0802(609) 292-789http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/codreg/

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, with amendments, effective September 8, 2015.


New Mexico New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Requirements Department, Electrical Bureau2550 Cerrillos RoadSanta Fe, NM 87505(505) 476-4500http://www.rld.state.nm.us/

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective August 1, 2014.


New York New York State Department of State, Division of Code Enforcement and Administration99 Washington Avenue, 6th floorAlbany, NY 12231(518) 473-2492http://www.dos.ny.gov/dcea/

• Adopted Code. 2008 National Electrical Code. As of December 2010, New York State has adopted the 2008 NEC for both residential and non-residential construction.

• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions, with the exception of New York City, are required to adopt and enforce the code. New York City has its own code.

North Carolina North Carolina Building Code Council322 Chapanoke Road, Suite 200Raleigh, NC 27603(919) 661-5880http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering_and_Codes/



North Dakota North Dakota State Electrical Board1929 North Washington Street Suite A-1P.O. Box 7335Bismarck, ND 58507(701) 328-9522https://www.ndseb.com/

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective September 1, 2014.

• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions are required to enforce the code.

Ohio Board of Building Standards6606 Tussing RoadP.O. Box 4009Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-9009(614) 644-2223http://com.ohio.gov/dico/default.aspx


• Adoption type. Statewide. Code was adopted by the state and is mandatory for all structures.

Oklahoma Construction Industries Board2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 2FOklahoma City, OK 73107(405) 521-65501 (877) 484-4424 Toll Freehttp://www.ok.gov/cib/

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective November 1, 2012.

Effective November 1, 2015, the 2014 Nation-al Electrical Code will be adopted.

• Adoption type. Hybrid. Adopted code is considered the minimum electrical standard in the state, but local jurisdictions can adopt codes that are better than the minimum (for example, NEC-2011).

Oregon Department of Consumer & Business ServicesBuilding Codes Division350 Winter St NEPO Box 14480Salem, OR 97309 (503) 378-4100http://egov.oregon.gov/DCBS/


• Adoption type. Statewide. Local jurisdictions must adhere to the state regulations and cannot impose requirements that are either more strin-gent or less stringent than those of the state.

PennsylvaniaBuildings SectionBureau of Occupational and Industrial SafetyDepartment of Labor and Industry1600 Labor and Industry BuildingHarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120(717) 787-3806http://www.dli.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/l_i_home/5278



• Adopted Code. 2008 National Electrical Code• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-


Rhode Island Department of AdministrationBuilding Code Standards CommitteeOne Capitol Hill, Second FloorProvidence, RI 02908(401) 222-1129http://www.ribcc.ri.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective August 1, 2014.


South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing Requirements, and RegulationSouth Carolina Building Codes Council PO Box 11329Columbia, S.C. 29211-1329(803) 896-4688http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/BCC/

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective July 1, 2013. NEC-2014 is being pro-posed for adoption.


South Dakota State Electrical Commission308 S. Pierre St.Pierre, SD 57501(800) 233-7765 or (605) 773-3573http://dlr.sd.gov/bdcomm/electric/



Tennessee Department of Commerce & InsuranceElectrical Inspection Section InformationState Fire Marshal500 James Robertson ParkwayNashville, TN 37243(615) 741-2981http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/sfm/

• Adopted Code. 2008 National Electrical Code.• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-


Texas Texas Department of Licensing Requirements and RegulationP.O. Box 12157Austin, Texas 78711(512) 463-6599Toll-Free (in Texas): 800-803-9202http://www.tdlr.texas.gov/

• Adopted Code. 2014 National Electrical Code, effective September 1, 2014.

• Adoption type. Hybrid. On November 21, 2013, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees TDLR, adopted amendments to Chapter 73.100 of the Electri-cians administrative rules and established the 2014 NEC as the “minimum standard” for all electrical work in Texas covered by the Act. Any non-exempt electrical work started on or after September 1, 2014 must be installed in accor-dance with the 2014 NEC. Note: Adoption is re-quired only for unincorporated areas of the state such as outside the city limits of municipalities.

Utah Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing RequirementsUniform Building Code CommissionP.O. Box 146741Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6741 (801) 530-6628Toll-Free in Utah: (866) 275-3675http://www.dopl.utah.gov/programs/ubc/index.html

• Adopted Code. The 2011 National Electrical Code will be effective July 1, 2012.

• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions are required to adopt and enforce the code, without amendments.

Vermont Electrician’s Licensing Requirements Board1311 U.S. Route 302 – Suite 600Barre, VT 05641-2351(802) 479-7561http://firesafety.vermont.gov/building_trades/electrical


• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions are required to adopt and enforce the code, without amendments.

Virginia Virginia Department of Housing and Community DevelopmentMain Street Centre600 E. Main Street, Suite 300Richmond, VA 23219(804) 371-7000http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/



WashingtonDepartment of Labor and IndustriesElectrical DivisionP.O. Box 44460Olympia, WA 98504http://www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing/electrical/



West VirginiaWest Virginia State Fire Marshal1207 Quarrier St., (2nd Flr.)Charleston, WV 25301(304) 558-2191http://www.firemarshal.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective 9/1/2013.

• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions are required to enforce the state minimum.

WisconsinThe Department of Safety and Professional Services, Industry Services DivisionPO Box 7302 Madison, WI 53707-7302(608) 266-2112http://dsps.wi.gov/Programs/Industry-Services/Industry-Services-Programs/

• Adopted Code. 2011 National Electrical Code, effective December 1, 2013.

• Adoption type. Statewide. All local jurisdic-tions are required to enforce the state minimum.

Wyoming Wyoming State Fire MarshalDepartment of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety320 West 25th Street, 3rd FloorCheyenne, WY 82002(307) 777-7288http://wsfm.wyo.gov/


• Adoption type. Hybrid. The state adopts a stan-dard electrical code, and these are set as the mini-mum code that must be adopted by jurisdictions.

Find additional information about licensing requirements on our website at http://www.iaei.org/web/codeadoption. Code adoptions, licens-ing regulations, and even street addresses change frequently so help keep us up-to-date by emailing [email protected].

electrical safety begins with good codes u.s. electrical ... filet he national electrical code is...

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