NEC 2026 Is Coming to Texas: What Electricians Need to Know Before September 2026

Texas applies the 2023 NEC through August 31, 2026. On July 28, 2026 the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC), effective September 1, 2026, keeping Texas's amendment to 210.8(F) (no GFCI required for outlets supplying listed outdoor dwelling-unit HVAC equipment). The groundwork was already underway — TDLR's Examination Review Committee began re-referencing electrician exam items to the 2026 NEC Code Book as of November 2025.

Here is the timeline as it stands:

• November 2025: TDLR Examination Review Committee begins re-referencing exam items to the 2026 NEC
• Early 2026: CE providers begin developing updated course content for the 2026 NEC
• July 28, 2026: The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopts the 2026 NEC (16 TAC §73.100), keeping Texas's amendment to 210.8(F)
• September 1, 2026: Effective date. All non-exempt electrical work started on or after that date must comply with the 2026 NEC, and updated licensing exams go live.
• After adoption: CE courses reflect the 2026 NEC for all future renewals

If you are a Texas electrician with a license renewal coming up before the change takes effect, you will complete your CE under the current 2023 NEC. If your renewal falls after the 2026 edition takes effect, your CE will cover the new edition.

For a detailed review of the current code, see our guide on NEC 2023 code changes.

While every NEC cycle introduces hundreds of revisions, the 2026 NEC is expected to focus on several key areas that will directly affect Texas electricians:

Energy storage and battery systems:

• Further expansion of Article 706 (Energy Storage Systems) to address the growing adoption of residential and commercial battery systems
• Updated installation requirements reflecting lessons learned from early battery system deployments
• Coordination with Texas SB 1252, which requires licensed electricians for all residential energy backup system work

Electric vehicle infrastructure:

• Additional provisions for EVSE in multi-unit dwelling structures, including load management and capacity planning
• Updated requirements for bidirectional charging systems (vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home)
• Wiring method updates for outdoor EVSE installations

Safety and protection:

• Potential further expansion of GFCI and AFCI requirements based on incident and fire data from the 2023 NEC cycle
• Updated emergency power and standby system requirements reflecting new energy storage technologies
• Continued refinement of selective coordination requirements

Renewable energy and distributed power:

• Updated provisions for solar photovoltaic systems (Article 690) reflecting current installation practices
• Coordination between ESS, solar PV, EVSE, and main service provisions

These changes reflect the broader industry trends toward electrification, distributed energy, and smart grid integration — areas where Texas is seeing significant growth.

Texas follows a predictable 3-year cycle for NEC adoption, consistently using a September 1 effective date. Understanding this pattern helps you plan your CE and career development:

NEC Edition	Texas Adoption Date	Status
2017 NEC	September 2017	Superseded
2020 NEC	September 2020	Superseded
2023 NEC	September 1, 2023	Current through August 31, 2026
2026 NEC	September 1, 2026	Adopted July 28, 2026 — effective September 1, 2026
2029 NEC	~September 2029	Expected

Each adoption creates a predictable pattern:

1. 6-9 months before adoption: TDLR begins exam re-referencing and CE providers start developing updated content
2. At adoption: All new work must comply with the new edition; exams update; CE content changes
3. First year post-adoption: Highest demand for CE as electricians seek to learn the new code

We are currently in the first phase for the 2026 NEC. If you want to get ahead, now is the time to start reviewing the new code independently while completing your current CE requirement under the 2023 NEC.

If you are preparing for a TDLR electrician licensing exam (master, journeyman, or any other category), the NEC 2026 adoption directly affects your exam:

• Before September 1, 2026: Exams are based on the 2023 NEC
• On or after September 1, 2026: Exams are scheduled to shift to the 2026 NEC
• Exam re-referencing: TDLR's Examination Review Committee began this process in November 2025, giving them nearly a year to update all exam items

This has practical implications for exam candidates:

• If you plan to take your exam before September 2026: Study the 2023 NEC code book. All exam references point to the 2023 edition.
• If you plan to take your exam after September 2026: Study the 2026 NEC code book. Make sure your study materials are updated.
• If you are on the borderline: Consider taking the exam before September to avoid learning a new code edition. The Texas electrician exam is already notoriously difficult — only 23.5% of FY2025 exam attempts across all license types passed.

Pass rates vary by license type (FY2025, share of exam attempts): master electrician exams ran approximately 19-22% per part, journeyman exams 20-27%, and residential wireman exams about 30.15%. Adding a new NEC edition to the mix can temporarily lower pass rates as study materials catch up.

The NEC 2026 adoption changes the content of your CE course but not the requirements. Here is a clear breakdown:

What stays the same:

• 4 hours of CE required annually for covered individual electrician license holders (apprentices may instead enroll in a TDLR-registered apprenticeship training program)
• The 4 hours must cover the NEC (whichever edition is currently adopted), Texas law and rules, and electrical safety (NFPA 70E) — TDLR does not fix the hours-per-topic split
• Our approved course outline devotes roughly 3 hours to the NEC and about 1 hour to Texas law (Occupations Code Chapter 1305), administrative rules (16 TAC Chapter 73), and safety (NFPA 70E)
• 1 CE hour equals at least 50 minutes of instruction time
• No final exam required by TDLR
• Online CE fully accepted

What changes:

• CE course content will be updated to cover the 2026 NEC instead of the 2023 NEC
• New code provisions (energy storage, EVSE, expanded protection requirements) will be covered

At OnlineTexasCE.com, we will update our electrician CE course in step with the September 1, 2026 effective date. You do not need to take any special action — simply complete your regular CE when your renewal comes due, and the course will cover the appropriate NEC edition for your renewal period.

Here is a high-level comparison of the three most recent NEC editions relevant to Texas electricians:

Feature	NEC 2020	NEC 2023 (through August 31, 2026)	NEC 2026 (from September 1, 2026)
Texas adoption date	September 2020	September 1, 2023	September 1, 2026
Status in Texas	Superseded	Current through August 31, 2026	Adopted July 28, 2026 — effective September 1, 2026
GFCI scope (dwelling)	120V, 20A specific locations	150V to ground, 50A	Potential further expansion
Surge protection (dwelling)	Recommended	Mandatory	Maintained mandatory
EVSE provisions	Basic Article 625	Reorganized; EVPMS added	Enhanced for multi-unit, V2G
Energy storage (Art. 706)	Initial coverage	Expanded scope	Comprehensive ESS framework
Reconditioned equipment	Not addressed	Marking requirements added	Maintained and refined
TDLR exam reference	No longer tested	Currently tested	Tested from Sept 1, 2026

The trend across editions is clear: each update expands protection requirements, addresses new technologies (EV, battery storage, solar), and modernizes safety provisions. Staying current through your annual CE ensures you are always working to the latest standards.

You do not need to wait until September to start preparing for the NEC 2026. Here are practical steps you can take now:

1. Complete your current CE. Your annual 4-hour CE under the 2023 NEC keeps your license active and builds the foundation for understanding code evolution. Do not let your license lapse while waiting for the new edition.
2. Purchase the 2026 NEC codebook. Available from NFPA (nfpa.org), the codebook is the authoritative reference. Familiarize yourself with the table of contents and new article reorganizations.
3. Focus on growth areas. The biggest changes are expected in energy storage (Article 706), EVSE (Article 625), and distributed power. These are also the fastest-growing segments of electrical work in Texas.
4. Watch TDLR announcements. TDLR publishes rulemaking notices and exam updates on their electricians page. Bookmark it and check periodically.
5. Talk to your peers. Local IEC chapters, NECA events, and contractor meetings often include code change discussions. Real-world installation questions frequently surface during these conversations.

Preparation does not have to be overwhelming. The NEC evolves incrementally — most of the 2023 NEC carries forward into the 2026 edition with targeted updates in specific areas.

The most important thing you can do right now is keep your license active. Do not defer your CE because a new NEC is coming — your license expires annually, and there is no grace period for code transition.

Late renewal fees escalate quickly:

• 0-90 days late: 1.5x your standard renewal fee
• 91 days to 18 months late: 2x your standard renewal fee
• 18 months to 3 years late: Still 2x your standard fee, but renewal requires TDLR executive director approval via a mailed written request
• 3+ years expired: License lost. You must meet the current requirements for a new applicant, which may include retaking the exam (23.5% overall FY2025 pass rate)

Practicing on an expired license is a Class B violation: $1,000 to $3,500 per violation plus potential license suspension. Working entirely without a license is a Class C violation: $2,000 to $5,000.

Complete your 4-hour CE today at OnlineTexasCE.com. Our TDLR-approved course (Provider #2273) costs $22.95, has no final exam, and provides an instant certificate upon completion. We submit your completion electronically through TDLR's provider reporting system. When the 2026 NEC takes effect on September 1, 2026, we will update our course content — you never have to worry about which edition applies to your renewal.