ALABAMA - (AL) 2002 - 3 Responses
The State of Alabama has adopted the 2002 NEC and the latest version of the NEIS standards. This is adopted by the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board and the State Fire Marshal’s office. The Fire Marshal adopts all NFPA standards.

ALASKA - (AK) 2002 - 5 Responses
The State of Alaska adopted the 2002 NEC in September of 2002. This is the required minimum for the state. Anchorage adopted it with more stringent local amendments in March 2003. Alaska’s electrical exams are based on the 2002 NEC.

ARIZONA - (AZ) ? - 8 Responses
Each municipality is free to adopt & amend the NEC, and it ranges from the 1990 to the 1999 versions. Most places in Arizona use the 1999 Code standards although a few are still using the 1996, but will be changing soon.

Tucson has adopted the 1999 Code, but not the 2002 Code yet. The city requires the use of the 2002 Code, but the design criteria is changed in anticipation of the adoption of the latest edition of the Code. Different cities are using different versions of the NEC. On March 19, 2003, the City of Mesa adopted the 1993 NEC, and on May 25, 2000, Prescott Valley and Lake Havasu City adopted the 1996 NEC.

ARKANSAS - (AR) 2002 - No Response

CALIFORNIA - (CA) ? - 2 Responses
No adoption date listed but a member wrote that he is working on a job in CA that was started in 1994, based on the 1993 Code but there has been a lot of changes since then in 517 (Health Care Facilities). Another member reported that he is currently working on projects in Commerce CA and Carson, CA (part of the LA area) and they also are using the latest edition of the NEC.

COLORADO - (CO) 2002 - 2 Responses
Colorado has adopted the 2002 NEC effective August 1, 2002. There are several local jurisdictions that have not updated their laws to reflect the adoption of the 2002 Code. A jurisdiction like Boulder with laws that say they are on the 1996 NEC cannot have their inspectors enforce the 2002 Code or tell the contractors or electricians to comply with anything except the 1996 Code. Since the state regulates all of the electrical licensing, they are required to follow the 2002 Code.

One inspector reported that it puts him in a precarious situation since the city attorney is telling him that he cannot enforce the 2002 Code, and the state is telling him that he is required to.

CONNECTICUT - (CT) 1999 - No Response

DELAWARE - (DE) 1999 - 1 Response
Delaware is using the 1999 Code for your limited and the 2002 Code for your Masters.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 1996 - (D.C.) - 1 Response
The District of Columbia is using the 1996 NEC, but it is unconfirmed that they have adopted the 1999 NEC.

FLORIDA - (FL) 1999 - No Response

GEORGIA - (GA) 2002 - No Response

HAWAII - (HI) ? - 2 Responses
Honolulu City & County (all the Island of Oahu) adopted the 2002 Code as of December 2002.

IDAHO - (ID) 2002 - 4 Responses
The state of Idaho has adopted the 2002 NEC with a few exceptions. For additional information, refer to: http://www2.state.id.us/dbs/electrical/nec.html or http://www2.state.id.us/adm/adminrules/rules/idapa07/0106.pdf .

ILLINOIS - (IL) ? - 2 Responses
Illinois does not adopt the NEC on a statewide basis. It is up to the individual units of local government, usually cites but sometimes townships or counties. Last year Kane County was still on the 1990 Code.

INDIANA - (IN) 2002 - 1 Response
Indiana has also adopted its own amendments to the Code.

IOWA - (IA) ? - 2 Responses
A member working in several states reported that Iowa was using the 1999 Code. A licensed Journeyman in Des Moines reported that as far as Des Moines is concerned, they have adopted the 2002 NEC.

KANSAS - (KS) ? - 4 Responses
Kansas is using the 1999 Code but doesn’t adopt the Code on a statewide basis; it’s done by municipalities. The City of Wichita has just adopted the 2002 NEC, and several of the surrounding smaller towns are currently enforcing the 2002 NEC. A member who contracts throughout Kansas reported that around populated areas, the counties have jurisdiction, not the state. Douglas, Franklin and Johnson Counties adopted the 2002 NEC last year. This trend is repeated every six years instead of NEC’s three. This year, Johnson County (Kansas City area) now requires continuing education course credit prior to annual contractors’ license renewal. In rural counties however (consisting primarily of large farm tracts), no personal qualification, permits, or inspections are required.

KENTUCKY - (KY) 2002 - No Response

LOUISIANA - (LA) 1999 - No Response

MAINE - (ME) 1999 - 1 Response
Maine should adopt the 2002 NEC soon.

MARYLAND - (MD) 2002 - 3 Responses
Maryland has adopted the 2002 NEC effective January 1, 2003. The Code is administered by the individual counties. Most counties in Maryland are a separate jurisdiction, with the exception of the western counties. In three of the southern Maryland counties, two (Calvert & St. Mary’s) have accepted the 2002 Code, and one is still using the 1999 Code.

MASSACHUSETTS - (MA) 2002 - No Response

MICHIGAN - (MI) 1999 - No Response

MINNESOTA - (MN) 2002 - No Response

MISSISSIPPI - (MS) ? - 3 Responses
Mississippi has not formally adopted the 2002 Code. This is left to the jurisdiction of the local communities, but most of the major communities and a lot of the minor ones are using the 2002 NEC. Some are still using the 1999 Code, mostly in the southern part of the state. The Building Official’s Association of Mississippi has been active in urging communities to adopt the latest editions of various Codes. Another member, working in several states, reported that Mississippi is using the 1999 NEC.

MISSOURI - (MO) 1999 - 1 Response
This link is an excellent reference for the latest adopted Code information - code ref.url, http://www.FirstSourceONL.com

MONTANA - (MT) 2002 - No Response

NEBRASKA - (NE) 2002 - No Response

NEVADA - (NV) ? - 2 Responses
Nevada is using the 1999 NEC. The City of Las Vegas has adopted the 2002 Code. North Las Vegas and Henderson will be accepting the 2002 Code on July 7, 2003. The County will accept the Electrical Code when they accept the latest UBC, so that is unknown.

NEW HAMPSHIRE - (NH) 2002 - No Response

NEW JERSEY - (NJ) 2002 - 14 Responses
The 2002 NEC was adopted in New Jersey on May 5, 2003. The 1999 NEC is in use in New Jersey until November 2003 when the 2002 NEC takes over. Inspectors in the field in New Jersey are using the 2002 NEC. New Jersey is uniform statewide but localities may have some flexibility.

NEW MEXICO - (NM) 2002 - 2 Responses
New Mexico adopted the 2002 NEC plus amendments on July 30, 2002. See the following for the NMEC: http://www.rld.state.nm.us/cid/Rules%20&%20Law/rules-and-law.htm .

NEW YORK - (NY) 1999 - 13 Responses
New York State has a statewide Code & as of July 2002, adopted the 1999 NEC with 323 amendments. Up until that time, the referenced standard was the 1993 NEC under the previous New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, but most jurisdictions were following the 2002 version. It was also reported that since New York State adopted BOCA in January 2003, the law reverts the NEC back to 1999.

The only exclusion for the New York State Building Code and referenced standards is New York City (which has its own building and electrical code). New York City’s Code is the 1999 NEC with NYC amendments. Both the city and the state adopted the 1999 NEC independently effective Jan. 1, 2003. *For additional information, contact the NY Board of Fire Underwriters (Electrical Inspection Agency) at 800-227-2761 or http://www.nybfu.org/home.htm , or the NYSDOS Code Enforcement and Administrations at 518-474-4073 or http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/ls-codes.html .

A letter was referenced from the Code Division for New York State as follows: “The recently adopted Codes of New York State provide the following requirements for electrical work. In all cases, compliance with the 1999 edition of the National Electrical Code (i.e. the NEC or NFPA 70) constitutes compliance with the Code. An alternate method of compliance with the Code is permitted in the Residential Code of New York State (RCNYS), for those buildings to which it applies. The alternate method consists of conformance with the electrical provisions of the RCNYS”.

You should know that New York State is a home rule state. This means that a municipality may adopt a more restrictive local standard (MRLS). Although more restrictive electrical provisions are uncommon, you should check with the township to insure that there are no such provisions when you apply for a building permit.

The New Code is published in individual books specific to the type of building or system and is available from ICBO (800-284-4406), http://www.icbo.org ). They also offer a searchable version of the codes in electronic form. Contact ICBO for information about costs and availability. They are not available online because they are copyrighted documents.”

NORTH CAROLINA - (NC) 2002 - No Response

NORTH DAKOTA - (ND) 2002 - No Response

OHIO - (OH) 2002 - 6 Responses
Ohio adopted the 2002 NEC as of January 1, 2002. This would only apply to those areas with certified building departments or any commercial regulated projects.

OKLAHOMA - (OK) 2002 - No Response

OREGON - (OR) 1999 - 8 Responses
As of October 1, 2002, Oregon has adopted the 2002 NEC standards. It was reported that the current Oregon Electrical Specialty Code book references the 2002 Code for changes, additions, and alterations.

PENNSYLVANIA - (PA) ? - 9 Responses
In Pennsylvania, the standard being taught in the classes sponsored by the PA Code Training Consortium in preparation for the adoption of the Dept. of Labor and Industry Uniform Construction Code is the 1999 NEC. There seems to be no statewide requirement. Pennsylvania has been working for years on a new Uniform Construction Code but it will not be effective until 2004. There is a requirement to comply with the 2002 NEC if you hold a Pittsburgh Electrical Contractors’ license. While the state does not require compliance with the NEC, the City of Pittsburgh and most surrounding boroughs and communities do. In southeastern Pennsylvania, work is done according to the 2002 Code.

In order to adopt a statewide code, it helps tremendously if there are requirements for licensing of electrical contractors. PA does not require electrical contractors to be licensed but it presently has licensing bills pending. They are Senate Bill 56, 2001 session, and House Bill 943, 2003 session. Both bills can be reviewed at the following address: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/L1/B1/billroom.htm .

RHODE ISLAND - (RI) 1996? - 7 Responses
The State of Rhode Island adopted the 2002 NEC on August 1, 2002. *The Rhode Island fire codes are now being reviewed, due to the “Station Fire,” and should be updated soon.

SOUTH CAROLINA - (SC) ? - 3 Responses
South Carolina is using the 1999 NEC but different counties have their own agenda as to the year the Code was adopted. In four different counties in the western part of the state, most are at least 1999 Code. In July, some are adopting the 2002 Code.

SOUTH DAKOTA - (SD) 2002 - 3 Responses
The 2002 NEC was adopted on July 1, 2002.

TENNESSEE - (TN) ? - 3 Responses
Tennessee is still using the 1999 Code. However, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville have all adopted and enforce the 2002 NEC.

TEXAS - (TX) ? - 6 Responses
While the State of Texas does not have a law requiring a statewide electrical license, the Texas Dept. of Transportation has adopted the 2002 edition of the NEC without change. While it is correct to say that Texas has a statewide HVAC&R license and a statewide plumbing license law, we have not been able so far to get a statewide electrical license law.

Texas licensing is done on a city-by-city basis. The North Texas Council of Governments adopted the 2002 with amendments. Most of the larger cities in Texas use the SBCC/ICC testing for licensing based on the 2002 Code, and most of the cities have adopted either the 1999 or 2002 Codes. However, some cities are still using the 1996 (or older) Codes. A construction manager in the Dallas TX area reported that the actual edition of the NEC enforced in Texas is set by the local authority having jurisdiction.

There are bills in both houses of the Texas state legislature that will create a state-licensing program for electricians. Presently, licensing is handled at the city level. The writing of this bill is difficult to understand and is vague concerning how it would deal with electricians already in business. It was also unclear about whether or not municipalities would be able to continue their own licensing programs. Most cities use SBCCI presently. These bills might drastically affect every practicing electrician in Texas. It might be to Texas electrician’s benefit to understand these bills and get involved in the process now before it becomes law.

UTAH - (UT) 2002 - No Response

VERMONT - (VT) 2002 - 2 Responses
The State of Vermont will adopt the 2002 NEC as of June 1, 2003.

VIRGINIA - (VA) 1996 - 9 Responses
Virginia is definitely 1996 NEC with an update to the Uniform Statewide Building Code expected sometime in July to September 2003. However, since Virginia is still under the 1995 CABO, residential one- and two-family buildings are held to the 1993 NEC. It is hoped that by September 1st, we will begin enforcing the 1999 NEC. Local jurisdictions in Virginia DO NOT have the option of using a different NEC. This is because VA is a “Dillon Rule” state, not a “home rule” state. It is expected that the 2002 Code will be adopted the last quarter of this year.

A member commented that of all the states he practices in, VA is by far the best coordinated statewide on codes. In many cases, the NEC version tracks to the BOCA or ICC or UBC, etc., building code issue that is invoked.

WASHINGTON - (WA) 1999 - 4 Responses
The 1999 NEC is still current in the State of Washington but they have plans to adopt the 2002 NEC by the end of May 2003. Two members reported that the 2002 NEC has been adopted.

WEST VIRGINIA - (WV) 1999 - No Response

WISCONSIN - (WI) 1999 - 3 Responses
The State of Wisconsin adopted the 2002 NEC along with COMM 16 (state differences) to the NEC effective May 1, 2003.

WYOMING - (WY) 2002 - No Response

Mike Holt’s Comment: If you have more current information, please let me know so we can keep this updated.