The National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®) is a critical framework that shapes electrical safety standards across the United States. Published every five years by the IEEE Standards Association, the NESC outlines best practices and minimum requirements for safeguarding the people who install electric power, telecommunications, and utility infrastructure.
Rather than stipulating a static set of rules, the NESC oversees a long, inclusive, and highly structured process that leads to these results. That also includes public engagement to adapt over time and reflect emerging technologies, new risks, and societal needs.
A Consensus-Driven Framework
The NESC development process is based on finding consensus through balanced input from a wide range of stakeholders. It’s a collaborative effort by a network of technical subcommittees, each assigned a distinct scope of work within the broader code, like grounding, overhead lines, work rules, and substations. All of them play pivotal roles in shaping their respective sections of the NESC.
To maintain fairness and avoid a single stakeholder group dominating proceedings, membership is structured around interest categories. For example, utilities, manufacturers, consultants, government agencies, and academia all fall under different interest categories. For the sake of balanced decision-making, no single category is allowed to represent more than 33% of a subcommittee’s total membership. Qualified individuals can apply for membership with more information available through the NESC membership program.
How Changes to the Code Begin
The NESC is neither created nor functions in isolation since anyone from the general public can participate in its evolution. Every five-year revision cycle begins with a three-month public window, during which individuals, companies, government entities, and other stakeholders can submit Change Proposals (CPs). These proposals suggest revisions to the current code covering anything from minor technical clarifications to significant structural changes.
Once the submission window closes, the relevant subcommittees begin their review, where the technical subcommittees then discuss, analyze, and vote on each proposal. The results on whether proposals are accepted, modified, or rejected are then documented and compiled into a comprehensive document called the Preprint.
Where We Are Now in the 2028 Cycle
As of today, the NESC is in a pivotal phase of the 2028 revision cycle. The Preprint was officially published on 1 July 2025, in line with the standard schedule. This document contains all submitted CPs, the initial responses from the technical subcommittees, and any preliminary decisions made through the subcommittee voting process.
This marks the start of another public-facing phase. Members of the public are now encouraged to purchase the Preprint and review the proposed changes. Over the next nine months, they have the opportunity to submit comments (CMs). These can express agreement with the proposed changes or outline objections, along with supporting arguments or technical justifications. They help to ensure a level of transparency for those contributing, since they can also weigh in after seeing how their suggestions were handled. The NESC is hosting a workshop at the Westin Las Vegas to give the public the opportunity to meet with the officers and members of the NESC and discuss the pending changes.
Final Voting and Code Approval
The public comment period is a crucial checkpoint. Once it ends, the technical subcommittees reconvene — typically in the fall of the third year of the revision cycle — to review all submitted comments. They may revise their earlier recommendations in light of public input, debate technical details further, or choose to uphold their original votes.
This round of voting is particularly important, as it determines the final recommendation to the NESC Main Committee on the wording and structure of the code. For example, if a subcommittee initially voted to change a requirement from “10” to “15,” and the public raises valid objections, the subcommittee might choose to amend that recommendation or reaffirm it.
Once the subcommittees complete this final review, they send the proposed revisions to the NESC Main Committee for final approval. This committee represents the highest level of authority in the NESC process, so their vote ultimately determines the official changes to the code.
Once these changes are ratified, the NESC editorial team steps in to prepare the final document. This involves multiple reviews to ensure technical accuracy and clarity. By August 1 of the fourth year of the revision cycle, the fully revised NESC is published and made available to the public. However, the new code does not officially go into effect until 1 February of the following year, giving users six months to review and adapt to the changes.
Special Cases: Interpretation Requests and Urgent Amendments
While the five-year revision cycle ensures thoroughness and broad participation, some situations require faster action. For those cases, the NESC includes mechanisms for mid-cycle changes.
One of these is the Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) process, which allows quicker updates to the code to respond to urgent needs, such as new federal laws or regulations that must be reflected in the NESC. A similar expedited process called Fast Track is available for situations requiring even more immediate action.
In addition to these amendment procedures, the NESC also accepts interpretation requests. Rather than requests for new rules, they’re actually inquiries into how existing code sections should be understood, especially if the language appears ambiguous or contradictory. In cases where the NESC receives such a request, the Interpretations Subcommittee reviews the issue and publishes an official interpretation. This helps clarify the intent and application of the code in real-world scenarios. Details on the interpretation process can be found on the NESC website.
A Living, Inclusive Standard
From its technical subcommittees to its public comment windows, the NESC is a rare example of a living standard, i.e., one that evolves continuously through participation and consensus. The NESC welcomes engagement from engineers, utility workers, academics, public safety officials, and everyday citizens in a very transparent way.
By allowing anyone to submit proposals, comment on revisions, and apply for membership in its working groups, the NESC ensures that its final product reflects both technical rigor and real-world practicality.
As we move further into the 2028 revision cycle, now is the time for interested individuals and organizations to get involved. Whether it’s by submitting a comment on the current Preprint, attending a workshop or simply following the ongoing development process, every voice helps shape the safety standard that protects the nation’s electrical infrastructure.
For those who want to follow along or contribute to the next steps, view the full 2028 revision schedule.
