In force in Minnesota since Aug 17, 2026 · on the exam since Sep 8, 2026

2026 NEC changes that matter on the Minnesota exam

Updated Nov 15, 2026

If you studied the 2023 NEC, change this: load calculations now live in Article 120 (was 220); the dwelling feeder and service general load drops from 3 to 2 VA per square foot; the optional method takes the first 8 kVA at 100% (was 10 kVA); and 3 to 5 dryers now take 80%. Minnesota adopted the 2026 NEC with no amendments.

Minnesota adopted it as written

Minnesota Rules 1315.0200 adopts the 2026 NEC as the Minnesota Electrical Code. The Board of Electricity's NEC review committee recommended adopting it without amendments, and the board voted 10 to 0 to do so on January 15, 2026. So everything below applies on the Minnesota exam exactly as the NEC states it. Cities may enforce stricter local requirements (Minnesota Statutes 326B.35), but the exam follows the NEC.

Article 220 is now Article 120

Load calculations moved to Chapter 1. Most section numbers kept their ending, so 220.55 is now 120.55, but a few moved. In an untabbed book you find them through the contents, so learn where Article 120 sits now.

Topic	2023 NEC	2026 NEC
Dwelling general lighting (feeders, services)	220.41	120.41
Number of dwelling general-purpose circuits	220.41 / 210.11(A)	120.13
Lighting demand factors	Table 220.45	Table 120.45
Small-appliance and laundry circuits (1500 VA)	220.52(A), (B)	120.52(A), (B)
Fastened-in-place appliances (75% for 4 or more)	220.53	120.53
Dryers	Table 220.54	Table 120.54
Ranges and cooking appliances	Table 220.55	Table 120.55
EV charging equipment	220.57	120.57
Noncoincident loads (heat or AC)	220.60	120.6
Feeder and service neutral	220.61	120.61
Optional method, one-family dwelling	220.82	120.82
Optional method, existing dwelling	220.83	120.83
Energy management systems	Article 750	Article 130

Article 310 table numbers (310.16, 310.15(B)(1)(1), 310.15(C)(1), 310.12) did not change.

Dwelling general load: 2 VA per square foot

For dwelling feeders and services, the general lighting and general-use receptacle load is now 2 VA per square foot (120.41) instead of 3. It applies in the standard method and the optional method (120.82(B)). Area is measured from the outside dimensions, leaving out open porches and unfinished spaces not adaptable for future use.

Watch out: to count how many general-purpose circuits the dwelling needs, it is still 3 VA per square foot (the new 120.13). A 2,400 ft² house carries 4,800 VA in the feeder calculation but 7,200 VA when counting circuits.

Optional method: the first 8 kVA at 100%

In the optional method for one dwelling (120.82), the general load is taken at 100% for the first 8 kVA and 40% for the rest. It used to be 10 kVA. EV charging equipment is now added separately at 100% of nameplate (120.82(D)), outside the 40% group. The heating and air-conditioning percentages did not change.

Dryers: 80% for 3 to 5

In Table 120.54, 1 or 2 dryers take 100% and 3 to 5 dryers take 80%. In the 2023 edition it was 100% up to 4 and 85% for 5. From 6 up nothing changed. Each dryer still counts as 5,000 W or its nameplate, whichever is larger. Source: NFPA's corrected Handbook page (March 2026), a single but official source.

EV chargers at nameplate

120.57 takes the EV charging equipment load at its nameplate rating. The 2023 edition used 7,200 W or the nameplate, whichever was larger. One 2026 source still repeats the old rule in one step, so for small chargers check the wording in the code book.

Other changes worth knowing

Minimum conductor size: 16 AWG copper (310.5(A)).
Outdoor GFCI in 210.8(F) extends to circuits of 60 A or less.
The service disconnect for one- and two-family dwellings must be outdoors, or within sight and no more than 50 feet away (230.70(A)).
Load calculations no longer apply the 125% continuous-load factor (new 120.5(E)), and Table 120.42(A) no longer says it includes it. The 125% still applies when you size conductors and overcurrent devices (210.19, 210.20, 215.2, 215.3).
Multifamily optional method: the lighting and receptacle load in 120.84(C) drops from 3 to 2 VA per square foot.
Transformer protection tables moved from 450.3 to 450.5: Table 450.5(B) covers 1000 V or less.
Non-dwelling receptacle loads (10 kVA at 100%, the rest at 50%) are in 120.47.
Energy management systems moved from Article 750 to Article 130.

Not confirmed yet

The 2026 change guides list 240.6(A) (standard ampere ratings), Table 250.122 and 314.16 (box fill) as changed, but we could not find in public sources what changed. Until that is confirmed, check those sections in the code book.

Practice with the new numbers in the calculations.

Questions people ask

Since when does the Minnesota exam use the 2026 NEC?

Since Sep 8, 2026, according to DLI's examination guide. The 2026 NEC took effect in Minnesota on Aug 17, 2026.

Did Minnesota amend the 2026 NEC?

No. Minnesota Rules 1315.0200 adopts the 2026 NEC as published, and the Board of Electricity voted on January 15, 2026 to adopt it without amendments. Cities may still enforce stricter local requirements under Minnesota Statutes 326B.35.

Is it still 3 VA per square foot?

For counting a dwelling's general-purpose circuits, yes (120.13). For dwelling feeder and service load calculations it is now 2 VA per square foot (120.41), in both the standard and optional methods.

Where did Article 220 go?

It moved to Chapter 1 as Article 120. Most sections kept their ending (220.55 became 120.55), but not all: noncoincident loads went from 220.60 to 120.6.

Sources

We never reproduce NEC text. Section numbers and values are stated so you can find them in the 2026 NEC.