NEC 2026 · Updated October 9, 2026
NEC 2026 and DIY EV Charger Installs: What Section 625.4 Actually Changes
NEC 2026 added a section requiring permanently installed EV charging equipment to be installed by a qualified person. That is not the same as a licensed electrician, and it is not a ban on DIY. Here is what the section does, what it does not do, and which states have adopted the new code.
Accuracy note: adoption varies by state
NEC 2026 is a model code — it only applies where your state or local jurisdiction has formally adopted it. There is no national effective date. Maryland, Virginia and Georgia are not on NEC 2026 as of October 2026. When in doubt, contact your local building department (the AHJ) for the code in force at your address.
What NEC 2026 Section 625.4 Does
The 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70-2026) adds a new section to Article 625, the article covering electric vehicle power transfer systems: 625.4, Qualified Persons. As summarised by IAEI Magazine and Light Now, the section requires permanently installed EV power transfer equipment to be installed by a qualified person.
"Qualified person" is a defined term in NEC Article 100: someone with skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installation, who has also received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved. The full NFPA text is paywalled, so we paraphrase rather than quote it.
Qualified Person Is Not the Same as Licensed Electrician
This is where most coverage of NEC 2026 goes wrong. The NEC sets how electrical work must be done. Who may legally do electrical work is set by state and local licensing law, which the NEC does not change. IAEI's NFPA code column makes the point directly: a qualified person is not simply someone who holds a license — it is about demonstrated skill, knowledge and safety training for the specific equipment.
- Homeowner exemptions survive adoption. Texas adopted NEC 2026 effective September 1, 2026, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation still exempts a person doing electrical work on a dwelling they own and live in from state electrician licensing.
- The inspector decides. Whether a homeowner counts as a qualified person for a given installation is the Authority Having Jurisdiction's (AHJ's) call — your city or county inspector.
- Local rules can be stricter. Cities and counties can require licensed contractors for permits even where state law allows homeowner work.
The honest summary: 625.4 may bring more inspection scrutiny to DIY hardwired installs in states that adopt NEC 2026. It is not a DIY ban, and it does not make DIY illegal.
NEC 2026 State Adoption Tracker
NFPA issued NEC 2026 on August 20, 2025, and it became available for adoption on September 9, 2025. Each state then adopts it — or not — on its own schedule. Here is the statewide status for key states:
| State | NEC 2026 Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | In effect | Since April 24, 2026, with Massachusetts amendments |
| Maine | In effect | Since July 1, 2026 |
| North Dakota | In effect | Since July 1, 2026 |
| Wyoming | In effect | Since July 1, 2026 |
| Colorado | In effect | Since August 1, 2026 |
| Minnesota | In effect | Since August 17, 2026 |
| Texas | In effect | Since September 1, 2026 (TDLR) |
| Oregon | In progress | Projected October 1, 2026 — not confirmed |
| Washington | In progress | Projected December 31, 2026 |
| Georgia | Not adopted | NEC 2023 in effect since January 1, 2025 |
| Maryland | Not adopted | NEC 2020 in effect since July 1, 2025; 2023 update underway |
| Virginia | Not adopted | NEC 2020 in effect since January 18, 2024; 2023 update underway |
| California | Not adopted | Check with your AHJ for the edition in force |
| North Carolina | Not adopted | Check with your AHJ for the edition in force |
| Florida | Not adopted | Check with your AHJ for the edition in force |
Statewide status per the NFPA NEC enforcement map (as of August 3, 2026) and state sources; Georgia per the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Checked October 9, 2026. States not listed: check with your AHJ — local jurisdictions may run on a different schedule than the state.
What Already Applied Before NEC 2026
For most homeowners, the practical picture was set long before NEC 2026:
- A new 240V dedicated circuit needs a permit in most US jurisdictions, regardless of which NEC edition is in force.
- Permitted electrical work is inspected, and inspectors enforce the code adopted locally.
- Some jurisdictions only issue electrical permits to licensed contractors, even where state law allows homeowners to do their own electrical work.
Section 625.4 adds an installer-qualification requirement on top of that in adopting states. It does not replace your state's licensing law or its homeowner exemptions.
What This Means for Homeowners Who Planned to Self-Install
If you were planning to install your own Level 2 EV charger:
- In a state where NEC 2026 is in effect (Massachusetts, Maine, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas): 625.4 applies to permanently installed EV equipment. Check your state's licensing rules for a homeowner exemption, then ask your AHJ whether it will accept you as the qualified person for a permitted install.
- In a state not yet on NEC 2026 (including Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, California, North Carolina and Florida): 625.4 does not apply. Your state licensing law and local permit rules decide whether you can do the work yourself. Check with your AHJ.
- In all states: An unpermitted Level 2 installation carries insurance, liability and resale risks regardless of which code edition applies. Hiring a licensed electrician is our recommendation for most homeowners — it is a practical choice, not something NEC 2026 itself mandates.
The Cost of Getting It Done Right
The gap between a licensed install and a DIY attempt is often smaller than homeowners assume — especially when factoring in the risks of unpermitted work:
| Scenario | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Licensed Level 2 install, 48A, adequate panel | $400–$1,200 labor + EVSE hardware |
| Retroactive permit for unpermitted work (if allowed) | $500–$2,000+ (plus any required remediation) |
| Insurance claim denial after electrical fire from unpermitted work | Your full repair cost — no coverage |
| Home sale remediation for unpermitted electrical | $1,500–$5,000+ to bring into compliance |
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