The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Commission has formally announced that the 2008 National Electrical Code will be implemented September 1, 2008.  The 2008 NEC will be the effective "minimum standard" for all electrical installations in Texas that is covered by the Act. In addition, all examinations for state electrical licenses offered on or after that date will be based on the 2008 NEC.

However, installations in Texas covered by this act only include those outside jurisdictional boundaries’ of towns and cities where such towns and cities may adopt and enforce any edition of the National Electrical Code they wish and may modify that edition.  It should be noted that counties do not have the right to home-rule in Texas and thus may not adopt and enforce codes thus leaving approximately half the state without code enforcement.  It should also be noted that TDLR staff is only charged by the Texas Legislature with enforcing the licensing standards for which TDLR is responsible and does not act to enforce code requirements.      

Contact:  John Minick:  john.minick@nema.org