State Electrical Code and Interpretations
The North Carolina State Electrical Code consists of an adopted version of the National Electrical Code (NEC) supplemented by State Amendments. The dates corresponding to the edition of the NEC in effect during specific intervals, including links to the electrical amendments for that edition are provided below.
All editions of the NEC can be accessed through the NFPA website at NEC Access.
(Note: NFPA requires an user account be created prior to viewing the Codes)
2023 State Electrical Code
(2023 NEC with State Amendments)
Effective: Indefinite Delay (delayed from original adoption date of January 1, 2025; see Session Law 2025-2 (House Bill 47), Section 5.12 - page 22)
Notice: Applicable to electrical systems of all occupancies including single-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, residential, commercial, and industrial. There are no current Amendments that reference another electrical code cycle for a specific occupancy.
The 2023 State Electrical Code (2023 NEC with State Amendments) was accepted by the Building Code Council on December 12, 2023 and accepted by the Rules Review Commission on February 28, 2024. Below is a simplified reprint of the State Amendments for the 2023 NEC.
2023 State Electrical Code Amendments - v3
2023 Electrical Code Interpretations
Articles 702, 705, 706, 710 - Optional Standby Systems, Stand-Alone Systems, Energy Storage System
2020 State Electrical Code
(2020 NEC with State Amendments; excluding one- and two-family dwellings, see Amendments 10.1 & 10.2)
Effective: November 1, 2021 - Current Code
The 2020 State Electrical Code (2020 NEC with State Amendments) was accepted by the Building Code Council on June 8, 2021 and accepted by the Rules Review Commission on October 21, 2021. Below are the State Amendments for the 2020 NEC.
2020 State Electrical Code Amendments Compact Version - v3 (Original Code Adoption)
2020 Additional State Electrical Code Amendments (Post Code Adoption)
2020 Electrical Code Interpretations
Sections 10.1 and 10.2 - One- and Two-Family Exception Scope
Section 90.7 - Qualified Testing Laboratories
Section 110.26(C)(2) - Egress and Working Clearances of Large Equipment
Section 210.11(C) - Required v. Non-Required Receptacles
Section 314.27(C) - Ceiling Boxes for Paddle Fans
Article 550 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes
Article 551 - Recreational Vehicles and RV Parks
Section 680.74 - Listed and Labeled Hydromassage Bathtubs
2017 State Electrical Code
(2017 NEC with State Amendments)
Effective: June 12, 2018 - October 31, 2021
2017 NEC State Amendments (Original Code Adoption)
2017 Additional NEC State Amendments (Post Code Adoption)
2017 Electrical Interpretations
2014 NEC
Effective: April 1, 2016 through June 11, 2018
2008 NEC
Effective: June 1, 2008 through July 2, 2012
2005 NEC
Effective: March 1, 2005 through May 31, 2008
2005 Electrical Interpretations (send a request to joseph.starling@ncdoi.gov)