The short answer
Idaho enforces NEC 2023, the current edition there, statewide, in effect since July 1, 2023. The state record lists six amendments to know: 210.8(A), 210.12(B), 210.8(D), 210.8(F), 230.67 and 230.85.
- Current edition
- NEC 2023 (current)
- Adoption
- Statewide
- In effect since
- July 1, 2023
- Primary source
- legislature.idaho.gov
Code adoption cycles change. Always confirm the edition and amendments in force with your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before permitting work.
How does Idaho adopt the NEC?
Idaho adopts the 2023 NEC statewide by statute (Idaho Code 54-1001, effective July 1, 2023), and the Idaho Electrical Board, in the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, amends it by rule; the current amendments (IDAPA 24.39.10.600) took effect April 4, 2025. For dwellings they narrow GFCI in 210.8(A), (D) and (F), limit AFCI in one- and two-family dwellings to circuits supplying bedrooms, do not require surge protection for services and feeders supplying dwelling units, and permit rather than require an outdoor emergency disconnect at one- and two-family dwellings. 110.3(A) and (B) do not apply to a submersible well pump itself installed in swimming and marine areas.
What are Idaho's amendments to the NEC?
210.8(A): Dwelling-unit GFCI: the 250-volt reference is deleted; basements are limited to unfinished areas; items (7) (areas with a sink and food or beverage preparation or cooking) and (11) (laundry areas) are deleted; item (8) covers only sinks outside kitchens, for receptacles within 6 feet of the inside edge of the sink (IDAPA 24.39.10.600).
210.12(B): In one- and two-family dwelling units, AFCI is required only for branch circuits and outlets supplying bedrooms; other dwelling units follow 210.12(B) in full (IDAPA 24.39.10.600).
210.8(D): In dwelling units, GFCI is not required for dishwashers, electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers or microwave ovens; dishwashers are also removed from 422.5(A) (IDAPA 24.39.10.600).
210.8(F): The dwelling outdoor-outlet GFCI requirement no longer covers garages with floors at or below grade or accessory buildings (IDAPA 24.39.10.600).
230.67: A surge-protective device is not required for services supplying dwelling units (230.67(A)(1) deleted); one is permitted when installed per 230.67(B) through (E). The same dwelling exception applies to feeders in 215.18 and 225.42 (IDAPA 24.39.10.600).
230.85: For one- and two-family dwelling units, an outdoor emergency disconnecting means is permitted rather than required when installed per 230.85(A), (B), (D) and (E), and 230.85(C) (service equipment replacement) is deleted; 225.41 is likewise permissive (IDAPA 24.39.10.600).
Who issues electrical permits in Idaho?
The Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses issues electrical permits and inspects installations (Idaho Code 54-1005), except in cities and counties that run their own electrical inspection program by ordinance, with the Idaho electrical code as the standard (Idaho Code 54-1001B); a city may also ask the division to inspect for it (Idaho Code 54-1001C).
Who licenses electricians in Idaho?
The administrator of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses alone licenses electrical contractors and limited electrical contractors, and master, journeyman, provisional journeyman and residential electricians, limited electrical installers, trainees and apprentices (Idaho Code 54-1002, 54-1003). A property owner may do noncommercial electrical work in the owner's own residence and its outbuildings without a license; a homeowner's grid-connected renewable power installation needs a preplan review before the permit (Idaho Code 54-1016). Licensing board: Idaho Electrical Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses).
Idaho Electrical Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)
Is Idaho moving to a newer NEC edition?
No Electrical Board rulemaking on NEC 2026 in 2025 or 2026 and no bill found; trade trackers listing Idaho on NEC 2026 are not supported by state sources.
Is Idaho on NEC 2026?
No. NEC 2026 is the newest edition; the one current in Idaho is NEC 2023, one edition older. NFPA publishes a new edition every three years and each state adopts on its own schedule.