Every few months someone asks me whether Georgia is "going to the 2026 NEC in 2027." No. Here is what the Department of Community Affairs actually did, what it means on the job, and what it means on the exam.
The edition stays 2023
Georgia's Uniform Codes Act (O.C.G.A. 8-2-20 through 8-2-26) makes the National Electrical Code a mandatory state minimum standard code: it applies statewide without any local adoption, and every city and county may enforce it (8-2-25(a)). DCA picks the edition, with the Board of Community Affairs' approval after public hearings.
The mandatory electrical code today is the NEC 2023 edition with Georgia amendments. In December 2025 the Board adopted the 2024 ICC family and the 2026 Georgia amendments to the 2023 NEC, effective January 1, 2027. Read that again: the amendments are new, the edition is not. Nothing about 2027 puts the 2026 NEC in force in Georgia.
PSI's reference list for the electrical contractor exams names the 2023 National Electrical Code for exams given January 1 through December 31, 2026. When PSI publishes the 2027 list we will read it and re-check every question; until then, 2023.
What is already in force (since January 1, 2026)
Georgia's amendment packet was last revised January 1, 2026. These are not coming; they are here, and an inspector will hold you to them today:
- 210.8(A): dwelling kitchen GFCI applies only to receptacles serving countertop surfaces. The national text covers every kitchen receptacle.
- 210.8(D): the appliance GFCI list drops electric ranges, wall ovens, cooktops, clothes dryers and microwaves. Dishwashers, sump pumps, vending machines and the rest stay.
- 210.8(F): outdoor dwelling outlets need GFCI, but Georgia keeps Exception 2: listed HVAC equipment is exempt. The 2023 national text removed that exception.
- 210.12(B): the AFCI room list leaves out kitchens and laundry areas.
- 210.52(C)(2): at least one receptacle is required at each island or peninsular countertop of 24 by 12 inches or more. The national 2023 text made it optional.
- 210.52(C)(3): receptacles up to 12 inches below the countertop stay lawful in Georgia for accessible construction and flat islands, not under an overhang of more than 6 inches.
- 215.18(A), 225.42(A), 230.67(A): one- and two-family dwellings are exempt from the service and feeder surge-protective device the national text requires for dwelling units.
- Article 100: a Townhouse (Row House) definition, each unit its own building behind a 2-hour wall.
What changes on January 1, 2027
The 2026 packet's headline change is healthcare. Georgia deletes the exception in 517.40(A) and adds 517.45(F): Category 3 assisted living communities, nursing homes and long-term care facilities licensed by the Department of Community Health must have an essential electrical distribution system built to 517.40 through 517.45, with the life safety and equipment branches on delayed-automatic or manual transfer and HVAC on the equipment branch.
If you bid assisted-living work in Georgia, price the generator, the transfer equipment and the branch separation from 2027 on. If you are reading this in 2026, the exception still stands until the effective date.
How to answer on the exam
PSI's item bank is written to the national 2023 NEC, and the exam is open book with the 2023 NEC on the reference list. So:
- A question that cites a section and says nothing about Georgia: answer from the book. Kitchen receptacles all need GFCI; the island receptacle is optional with provisions for a future outlet; a dwelling service needs an SPD.
- A question that says "in Georgia" or names the state minimum standard code: answer from the amendment. Countertop receptacles only; the island receptacle is required; a house service does not need the SPD.
- A question about who adopts the code, which codes are mandatory, or local amendments: that is the Uniform Codes Act. DCA adopts; mandatory codes apply statewide; a local amendment must be at least as stringent and go to DCA 60 days before adoption (8-2-25(c)); a local inspector cannot hold you to a code the Act does not cover (8-2-26(c)).
Dates to keep
- January 1, 2026: current Georgia amendment packet in force.
- December 31, 2026: last day of PSI's current reference list (2023 NEC).
- January 1, 2027: 2026 Georgia amendments effective; Article 517 change; edition still 2023.