Unpacking Key Revisions to the 2026 NEC

Everyone in the electrical industry knows that the National Electrical Code (NEC) is revised and updated on a three-year cycle. As I prepared content for this November issue, it certainly doesn’t feel like three years have passed since the last time we presented the most important revisions to the Code, but here we are again. I have been working on EC&M for decades, so while contemplating yet another update to the most important resource available to the electrical profession, I started wondering how many states and local jurisdictions had adopted the most recent version of the Code since the last time I checked. 

Although the NEC is not a federal law, state and local governments have the authority to adopt it into their own legal codes. Therefore, it’s essential for electrical professionals to be cognizant of which versions of the Code are being enforced in the jurisdictions and municipalities in which they work, especially those whose jobs take on a national footprint. To find out  how many states were operating under which versions of the NEC, who better to turn to for answers than the publisher of NFPA 70: the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Not surprisingly, I found that the 2023 edition is currently the most widely adopted version of the NEC as of press time.

According to the NFPA website, as of October 1, 2025, “20 states have completed their 2023 NEC update process. Seven states currently using the 2020 NEC, two using the 2017 NEC, and one using the 2008 NEC have commenced the process of revising the statute or administrative rule through which the NEC is updated to reference the 2023 edition. One state currently using the 2017 NEC is in the process of updating to the 2020 NEC.” The best way to determine the current Code edition being used in a particular state is to visit NFPA’s website and check the state map and corresponding table. Since the 2026 edition of the NEC was just released in August of 2025, no state has initiated their rule-making process to update to the 2026 NEC yet. However, the process of reviewing, implementing, and sometimes amending it will begin over the course of the next several years. In the meantime, no matter what version of the Code you’re working under, it’s critical for electrical professionals everywhere to familiarize themselves with the revisions to each new edition. I know what you may be thinking — if your area won’t be enforcing the 2026 version anytime soon, why take the time and effort to learn it now? Because understanding the key changes today gives you a critical head start tomorrow — helping you anticipate design impacts, update safety procedures, and avoid costly surprises once adoption begins. 

To unpack the 2026 NEC, EC&M has once again teamed up with nationally recognized Code expert and longtime EC&M contributor Mike Holt to offer you the key changes made to this latest edition we believe will affect the largest number of readers. Take a look at the online gallery for short summaries of each change. Then, set aside some time to sit down, focus, and fully take in the comprehensive coverage of our cover story, offering in-depth analysis and expert commentary on each change. I know it’s a lot to ask in today’s fast-paced world for you to sit down and read a 16-page print article, but trust me, you won’t regret it — you can scan it for changes that most affect your work and save it for reference. You’ll also be able to access the online version plus download a free PDF of the article on our website as well.

With nearly 4,000 public inputs, more than 1,500 first revisions, roughly 1,800 public comments, and close to 900 second revisions, the 2026 NEC represents one of the most significant Code cycles in recent memory. This edition reflects several major forces shaping today’s installations, including electrification, widespread EV adoption, clean-energy infrastructure, modernized building loads, and evolving electrical safety practices. In addition to our online and print editorial coverage, don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with these important changes. Attend EC&M’s Boston Code Change Conference from January 13-14, presented by Code guru Mike Holt, for a chance to learn about which major NEC changes will impact your work the most. Go to https://www.codechangeconference.com/2026/boston for more information or to register.