2023 National Electrical Code is Almost Here!

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation sent this bulletin at 11/30/2022 03:57 PM CST
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The Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to adopt the revised National Electrical Code (NEC) as the electrical code for the state of Texas. In 2023, TDLR will adopt the 2023 NEC as the electrical code for the state of Texas and establish it as the "minimum standard" for all electrical work in Texas covered by the Act. The proposed effective date will be September 1, 2023.

Chapter 1305.201 of the Act provides municipalities the authority to make local amendments to the 2023 NEC; however, any proposal to amend these standards should be done in accordance with NEC 90.4 which stipulates "the authority having jurisdiction may waive specific requirements in this Code or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety."

Any non-exempt electrical work started on or after September 1, 2023, must be installed in accordance with the 2023 NEC. To clarify: the “start” of electrical work is the day the electrician begins installing electrical materials or equipment within the residential or commercial building structure. Inside the corporate limits of a municipality, electricians must abide by city permitting requirements and adhere to any local code amendments.

Also, beginning September 1, 2023, all examinations for state electrical licenses will be based on the 2023 NEC. The state electrical exams are available through PSI, which contracts with TDLR to develop, maintain, and administer the state electrician licensing examinations. It is very important for license candidates to review the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB), which contains detailed information regarding the examinations and is vital to understanding the process.

Questions? Contact TDLR at Jerry.Daniel@tdlr.texas.gov or Larry.Reichle@tdlr.texas.gov

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