The short answer
Arizona has no statewide adoption of the National Electrical Code: cities and counties adopt their own edition. The edition the app cites for Arizona is NEC 2023, labelled current, varies locally.
- Current edition
- NEC 2023 (current, varies locally)
- Adoption
- No statewide adoption: cities and counties adopt their own
- Licensing board
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
- Primary source
- roc.az.gov
Code adoption cycles change. Always confirm the edition and amendments in force with your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before permitting work.
How does Arizona adopt the NEC?
Arizona has no statewide electrical code: the Registrar of Contractors licenses contractors, but its rules (A.A.C. Title 4, Chapter 9) adopt no NEC edition, and each city, town or county adopts its own codes (counties under A.R.S. 11-861), so the edition and amendments vary by jurisdiction and unincorporated county areas can lag by one or more editions. Phoenix enforces the 2023 NEC under its 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code and has deferred enforcement of the 210.8(F) GFCI requirement for HVAC equipment until March 1, 2027.
What are Arizona's amendments to the NEC?
210.8(F): Phoenix has deferred enforcement of the 2023 NEC 210.8(F) GFCI requirement for HVAC equipment until March 1, 2027 (City of Phoenix notice); other Arizona jurisdictions set their own enforcement dates.
Who issues electrical permits in Arizona?
Permits and inspections are issued by the city or county where the work occurs; unincorporated Maricopa County and similar areas may still enforce older editions.
Who licenses electricians in Arizona?
Electrical contractors are licensed at the state level by the Registrar of Contractors; there is no separate state journeyman/master electrician card, so individual competency requirements vary by employer and jurisdiction. Licensing board: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).
Is Arizona moving to a newer NEC edition?
No statewide electrical code; the Registrar of Contractors adopts no NEC edition. Phoenix enforces NEC 2023; Scottsdale and unincorporated Maricopa County enforce older editions. Check the local AHJ.
Is Arizona on NEC 2026?
Not statewide: Arizona has no statewide adoption, so the edition depends on the city or county. The edition the app cites, NEC 2023, is one edition older than NEC 2026; check with the local building department.