Short answer: On 2026 NEC adoption, we confirmed on official state sources that, as of October 12, 2026, seven states have the 2026 National Electrical Code in effect: Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming. Washington has adopted it effective December 31, 2026. Meanwhile, most other states still enforce the 2023 or 2020 edition, and in several states each city adopts the code on its own. So the edition that applies to your job depends on where it is and, often, on when the city or state issued the permit.
How we built this list: Augmented Trades checked each state below against that state’s own regulation, rulemaking record or licensing board page, linked in the table. We used trade-association trackers only to find candidates. Where a tracker and the state disagree, or the state source doesn’t say, we tell you instead of guessing. Also, 2026 NEC adoption changes constantly, so confirm with your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) before you bid or wire.
2026 NEC Adoption by State (Confirmed on State Sources)
| State | Status | When it applies | State source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 2026 NEC adopted as 527 CMR 12.00, with state amendments | Installations with a permit granted after April 24, 2026 | mass.gov |
| Maine | 2026 NEC incorporated by reference (new Chapter 120), with Maine amendments | Installations commencing on or after July 1, 2026 | Electricians’ Examining Board |
| North Dakota | 2026 edition adopted in the state wiring standards (N.D. Admin. Code 24.1-06-01-10) | Rule amended effective July 1, 2026 | ndlegis.gov |
| Minnesota | Board of Electricity rule adopting the 2026 code (R-04985) adopted August 10, 2026 | The Notice of Adoption was published in the State Register on August 10, 2026 (Vol. 51, p. 161). DLI said the code takes effect five days after that notice, which by our arithmetic is about August 15, 2026. Confirm with DLI. | MN Revisor · DLI |
| Texas | 2026 NEC adopted as the state electrical code (16 TAC §73.100), with an amendment to 210.8(F) | September 1, 2026 | TDLR |
| Oregon | 2026 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, based on the 2026 NEC | October 1, 2026 | Oregon BCD |
| Wyoming | State Fire Marshal lists the 2026 NEC among the codes that apply | The state page gives no separate effective date. Confirm with the State Fire Marshal’s electrical safety office. | wsfm.wyo.gov |
| Washington | 2026 NEC adopted by rule (WAC 296-46B-010), replacing the 2023 edition | December 31, 2026. The 2023 edition governs until then. | WSR 25-23-069 |
Colorado: unconfirmed. At least one widely used tracker lists Colorado on the 2026 NEC from August 1, 2026. However, the State Electrical Board rule we could read (3 CCR 710-1) still adopts the 2023 edition. So until the state’s own record shows the change, treat Colorado as unconfirmed and check with the State Electrical Board.
The Texas Amendment Every HVAC Contractor Should Know
Texas adopted the 2026 NEC with one notable change. Specifically, as the adopted rule in the Texas Register (Aug. 28, 2026) quotes it, the 2026 NEC carries 210.8(F) Exception No. 2: “GFCI protection shall not be required for listed HVAC equipment,” with a built-in expiration: “This exception shall expire September 1, 2026.” Texas, however, adopted the exception without the expiration date. The rule, 16 TAC §73.100(b), extends NFPA’s Exception No. 2 “without expiration,” effective September 1, 2026.
The stated reason is nuisance tripping. In particular, the rule’s justification relays HVAC-industry arguments that GFCI technology is incompatible with HVAC equipment and can cause “nuisance tripping and air conditioning outages” in hot months, which it therefore calls a public-safety concern. So if you work outdoor condensers and heat pumps, this is the difference between Texas and a state that adopted the 2026 NEC as written. For background, our explainer on the September 1 outdoor HVAC GFCI deadline covers the requirement itself and the Class C SPGFCI path.
Which Edition Applies to Your Job
- The trigger date varies by state. Massachusetts keys the 2026 code to permits granted after April 24, 2026. Maine keys it to installations commencing on or after July 1, 2026. As a result, a job permitted under the old edition may finish under it. Therefore, check your state’s wording before assuming.
- Some states don’t adopt statewide. For example, the International Association of Electrical Inspectors’ adoption tracker lists Arizona and Missouri as local adoption, and Illinois as largely local. In those states, the city or county decides instead.
- State adoption isn’t the whole story. States amend the NEC, as Texas did with 210.8(F), and some cities add their own local amendments on top. In other words, the edition number alone doesn’t tell you what an inspector will enforce.
- Get alerts. Finally, NEMA runs code adoption alerts by state if you want to know when your jurisdiction moves.
What This Means for Your Business
Code changes show up in your numbers before they show up in an inspection: material on bids, labor on jobs you quoted under the old edition, and callbacks. So if you price jobs in field service software, update your price book items and estimate templates when your state’s date hits, not when the first inspection fails. For that, our software guide for electrical contractors and AI estimating for electricians cover the tools that keep those templates current. Similarly, HVAC shops can start with our HVAC software guide.
2026 NEC Adoption FAQ
How many states have adopted the 2026 NEC?
As of October 12, 2026, we confirmed seven states with the 2026 NEC in effect on their own official sources (Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming), plus Washington adopted for December 31, 2026. By contrast, trackers list Colorado, but the state source we could read doesn’t confirm it.
Is the outdoor HVAC GFCI exception gone in the 2026 NEC?
In the model code, Exception No. 2 to 210.8(F) expired September 1, 2026. However, Texas kept the exception with no expiration when it adopted the 2026 NEC. Also, other states may have their own amendments, so check yours.
Which NEC edition applies if my state hasn’t adopted the 2026 code?
You follow whatever edition your state or local jurisdiction currently enforces, often the 2023 or 2020 edition. Ultimately, your AHJ, usually the state electrical board or the local building department, is the final word.
This page reflects official state sources read on October 12, 2026. We’ll update it as 2026 NEC adoption spreads.
Disclosure: Augmented Trades participates in affiliate programs and may earn a commission if you sign up through some links in this article, at no extra cost to you. Full details: https://augmentedtrades.com/affiliate-disclosure/.
Answer a few quick questions and our free Tool Finder builds you a custom software shortlist — with the reasoning and pricing behind each pick.
Find your tools (free) →
Michael is the founder of Augmented Trades, an independent site that compares AI and software tools for trade contractors on published pricing, contracts, and real feature limits. Tools are recommended on fit for your shop — affiliate partnerships never decide coverage.