Michigan Electrician ExamJourneyman and master, open book

Checked against primary sources 2026-09-04

The code in force

Michigan Electrical Code: Which NEC Edition Applies in 2026

Michigan's electrical code is the 2023 National Electrical Code as adopted and amended by the Part 8 rules, and that rule set took effect on 12 March 2024. A draft would replace it with the 2026 edition 120 days after filing, and as of 4 September 2026 nothing has been filed.

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On this page
  1. The answer in one paragraph
  2. What Part 8 actually is
  3. What the rule takes out of the code book
  4. The 2026 draft, and what would change
  5. The code in force and the exam are two different questions
  6. How to read the rules yourself
  7. Questions people ask
  8. What this page cites

The answer in one paragraph

The 2023 edition. R 408.30801 in the Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8 adopts the National Electrical Code 2023 second printing, together with technical interim amendments 70-23-1 through 70-23-13 and errata 70-23-1 through 70-23-6. That rule set took effect on 12 March 2024.

The same rule adopts NFPA 110 and NFPA 111 in their 2019 editions, which is where Michigan's emergency and standby system requirements point.

So when somebody says the Michigan Electrical Code, they mean the 2023 NEC plus a rule set that changes parts of it. Both halves matter, and the second half is the one people miss.

What Part 8 actually is

Part 8 is a rule set on the state's administrative rules system, numbered R 408.30801 through R 408.30880. R 408.30807 amends the code's own title section and designates these rules as the Michigan Electrical Code.

It works in two ways. It adopts the National Electrical Code by reference, and then it adds, amends or removes specific pieces of it.

That is why a plain code book does not give you the Michigan answer on every question. The Part 8 amendments page works through each one.

What the rule takes out of the code book

Michigan does not adopt the whole of the National Electrical Code. R 408.30801 excludes a list of sections from the front of the book: 80.2, 80.5, 80.15, 80.23, 80.27, 80.29, 80.31, 80.33, 80.35 and 90.6.

Those are the administrative provisions, and Michigan replaces them with its own. The rules that follow in Part 8 put back scope, authority, the duties of the code official, permits, plan review, inspections and connection to electricity, written for Michigan.

So the administrative front of your code book is not the administration that applies here. That is a genuine trap for anyone who learned the code in another state.

The 2026 draft, and what would change

Draft rule set 2026-17 LR, dated 19 August 2026, would replace the 2023 adoption with the National Electrical Code 2026 second printing, carrying technical interim amendments 70-26-1 through 70-26-8. NFPA 110 and NFPA 111 would move from their 2019 editions to their 2025 editions.

It would take effect 120 days after filing with the secretary of state. It has not been filed, so the 120 days have not started and the 2023 edition is still the code in force.

The draft also raises the price the rule prints for the code book, from $153 to $169, and for each of NFPA 110 and NFPA 111 from $149 to $165.

The draft rule page works through every rule it changes.

The code in force and the exam are two different questions

They happen to have the same answer today, and they are not the same question.

What applies to your work is set by the rule that is in force, which is the 2023 adoption. What applies to your paper is set by PSI's reference list and LARA's examination page, and both point at the 2023 National Electrical Code and the 2023 Part 8 rules.

When the 2026 rule files, those two answers can move on different days. The rule takes effect 120 days after filing. The examination changes when the bulletin says it changes.

Which edition is tested is the exam side of this, and it lists the section numbers that differ between the two books.

How to read the rules yourself

All of this is free and none of it is hard to reach. The Part 8 rule set downloads from the state's administrative rules site as a single document.

LARA's construction codes rules and acts page links the Occupational Code, the Skilled Trades Regulation Act and the administrative rules, and its currently open rules page carries any draft that is out for comment.

Print the Part 8 rules whatever you decide about the exam. They are on the reference list, and a candidate who has never opened them is looking things up in an unfamiliar document with the clock running.

Questions people ask

Which NEC edition does Michigan use in 2026?

The 2023 edition. R 408.30801 of the Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8 adopts the National Electrical Code 2023 second printing with technical interim amendments 70-23-1 through 70-23-13 and errata 70-23-1 through 70-23-6, and the rule set took effect on 12 March 2024.

What is the Michigan Electrical Code?

It is the Part 8 rule set, R 408.30801 through R 408.30880, which adopts the National Electrical Code by reference and then amends it. R 408.30807 designates those rules as the Michigan Electrical Code. A plain code book alone is not the Michigan code.

When did the 2023 NEC take effect in Michigan?

12 March 2024. That is the effective date on the Part 8 rule set that adopts the 2023 second printing along with its technical interim amendments and errata.

Has Michigan adopted the 2026 NEC?

Not yet. Draft rule set 2026-17 LR, dated 19 August 2026, would adopt the 2026 second printing with technical interim amendments 70-26-1 through 70-26-8, taking effect 120 days after filing with the secretary of state. As of 4 September 2026 it has not been filed.

Does Michigan adopt the whole National Electrical Code?

No. R 408.30801 excludes sections 80.2, 80.5, 80.15, 80.23, 80.27, 80.29, 80.31, 80.33, 80.35 and 90.6, which are the administrative provisions, and Michigan's own rules take their place for scope, authority, permits, plan review and inspections.

Does Michigan adopt any standards besides the NEC?

Yes. R 408.30801 also adopts NFPA 110 and NFPA 111 in their 2019 editions, which is where the emergency and legally required standby system requirements point. The open draft would move both to their 2025 editions.

Is the code in force the same as the code on the exam?

Today, yes. Both are the 2023 edition with the Part 8 rules. They are set by different documents though, so they can move on different dates: the rule takes effect 120 days after filing, and the examination changes when the PSI bulletin says it does.

Put it to the test

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Written on the 2026 code with the 2023 number beside anything that moved, which is what the Michigan exam still uses.

What this page cites

NEC and National Electrical Code are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association.

Trojan Digital Marketing is an independent company. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NFPA, LARA, the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes, PSI Services, or any licensing authority.

Bring your own copy of the National Electrical Code, unmarked. The Michigan exam is open book on the 2023 edition until the bulletin says otherwise.

All practice questions are original. They are not actual exam questions.

Part of the electrician network with Michigan Journeyman Prep (licensing) and the Texas sites Texas Journeyman Prep, Texas Electrician Exam and Texas Electrical Code Prep.

Built and maintained by Jeff Clerisier, Trojan Digital Marketing.

Every rule here is cited to the section it comes from, and corrections are logged in public with the date. This is study material rather than electrical advice, and it does not replace your own code book or your inspector.

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