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To strengthen communication and outreach across the State Deputy Chief Electrical Inspector Josh Hall is introducing a monthly newsletter for ELC titled “The Texas Circuit.” This newsletter will notify the industry of a broad range of subjects including law & rule updates, NEC updates, etc.
For our 1st “State Of ELC” section I would like to highlight the state adoption of the 2026 NEC coming September 1st, 2026.
On July 28th, 2026, our Commission voted unanimously to adopt the 2026 NEC for The State of Texas on September 1st, 2026, for all non-exempt electrical work. They did also vote to approve an amendment to section 210.8 (F) not requiring GFCI protection on outdoor dwelling HVAC outlets.
Starting September 1, 2026, all non-exempt electrical work in Texas whether in a city’s limits or out in the county must be done to the State adopted 2026 NEC. Texas state electrical exams will also be on the 2026 NEC beginning on September 1.
In short, a municipality cannot enforce nor make a state licensed electrical contractor perform an installation that is a direct code violation or substandard to the 2026 NEC. All state licensed electricians in Texas must install to the 2026 NEC.
The Texas law for electricians chapters 1305.201 and 1305.202 does not state a municipality can “ADOPT” their own code. What it does state is a municipality has the right to amend the state adopted code, but the municipality has to take into consideration 90.4 of the NEC. Which states the amendments must be as stringent or more stringent than the NEC requirements.
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Again, always remember no matter where non-exempt electrical work is performed in Texas it must be done to the latest State adopted NEC. A municipality may not adopt their own code that is below the State minimum standard.
This month’s article is 2023 NEC 210.52 (C) (2) & (3) which states “(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces. Receptacle outlets, if installed to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(3). If a receptacle outlet is not provided to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, provisions shall be provided at the island or peninsula for future addition of a receptacle outlet to serve the island or peninsular countertop or work surface.”
(3) Receptacle Outlet Location.
Receptacle outlets shall be located in one or more of the following:
(1) On or above, but not more than 500 mm (20 in.) above, a countertop or work surface
(2) In a countertop using receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in countertops
(3) In a work surface using receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in work surfaces or listed for use in countertops
Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks, or rangetops as covered in 210.52(C)(1), Exception No. 1, or appliances occupying assigned spaces shall not be considered as these required outlets.
Any questions or comments are always welcome. I look forward to getting these out each month. For any comments or questions please contact Chief Electrical Inspector Larry Reichle at larry.reichle@tdlr.texas.gov or Deputy Chief Electrical Inspector Josh Hall at josh.hall@tdlr.texas.gov
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