NFPA 70
National Electrical Code
Published by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
The CFR incorporates NFPA 70 by reference, which makes the edition it names part of the regulation. The CFR requires the edition it names, which may not be the newest. To enforce any other edition, the agency must publish the change in the Federal Register.
The 11 editions the CFR requires
Different parts name different editions; each applies where its part says so. Newest first.
NFPA 70, 2020 Edition, effective August 25, 2019
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2020 Edition, effective August 25, 2019”
NFPA 70, 2017 Edition, ANSI-approved August 24, 2016
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2017 Edition, ANSI-approved August 24, 2016 (“NFPA 70”)”
- Listed in 46 CFR 110.10-1(p)(1); required by46 CFR 110.15-1 ↗46 CFR 111.05-33 ↗46 CFR 111.20-15 ↗46 CFR 111.50-3 ↗46 CFR 111.50-7 ↗46 CFR 111.50-9 ↗46 CFR 111.53-1 ↗46 CFR 111.54-1 ↗46 CFR 111.55-1 ↗46 CFR 111.59-1 ↗46 CFR 111.60-7 ↗46 CFR 111.60-13 ↗46 CFR 111.60-23 ↗46 CFR 111.81-1 ↗46 CFR 111.105-1 ↗46 CFR 111.105-3 ↗46 CFR 111.105-11 ↗46 CFR 111.105-17 ↗46 CFR 111.106-3 ↗46 CFR 111.106-5 ↗46 CFR 111.107-1 ↗46 CFR 111.108-3 ↗
NFPA 70, 2011
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2011 (“NFPA 70 (2011)”)”
- Listed in 46 CFR 39.1005(i)(1); required by46 CFR 39.2009 ↗
Listed as: “NFPA 70—National Electrical Code, 2011”
NFPA 70, 2011 Edition
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2011 Edition”
NFPA 70, 2002 Edition, effective August 2, 2001
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70—National Electrical Code (NEC), 2002 Edition, effective August 2, 2001”
NFPA 70, 1996
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 1996”
- Listed in 33 CFR 126.5; required by33 CFR 126.15 ↗
NFPA 70-1996, 1996 Edition
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70-1996, National Electrical Code (NEC), 1996 Edition”
The parts the listing names (5)
- Section 250-95
- Section 310-13
- Section 310-15
- Article 430
- Article 445
NFPA 70-1990
As the CFR lists it: “70-1990—National Electrical Code (also known as ANSI/NFPA 70-1990)”
NFPA 70, 1987
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 1987 (“NFPA 70 (1987)”)”
- Listed in 33 CFR 154.106(h)(2); required by33 CFR 154.735
NFPA 70, 1987. Articles 310 & 400
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA No. 70 National Electrical Code—1987. Articles 310 & 400”
- Listed in 33 CFR 183.5; required by33 CFR 183.435 ↗
NFPA 70, 1980
As the CFR lists it: “NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Article 310-8 and Table 310-13, 1980”
- Listed in 46 CFR 169.115(d)(2); required by46 CFR 169.672 ↗
How to read it
- The publisher’s page for this standardNFPA 70 on nfpa.org ↗
- Read it freeNFPA free access ↗
NFPA's codes and standards can be read online free with an NFPA account.
A free or purchased copy may not be the edition the CFR names; check it against the edition above. Every incorporated standard can also be inspected at the National Archives (NARA) and at the agency named in the section that lists it.
NFPA 70 is copyrighted by its publisher; RegKnot shows its title and the editions the CFR names, not its text. Read from the eCFR's incorporation-by-reference sections, current as of October 26, 2026. The regulation text governs. All standards the CFR requires.