The NEC code update cycle states that a new code is published every how many years?

• A. 1 year
• B. 2 years
• C. 3 years
• D. 4 years

Answer: (C)

Three-year update cycle. The NEC is published every three years by NFPA. The code development process—proposals, committee review, public input, hearings, and final publication—takes time, so updates come on a three-year cadence. This timing balances keeping the code current with giving jurisdictions time to adopt and train on the changes. So new editions appear about every three years (for example, 2017, 2020, 2023). The other intervals don’t align with how the development and adoption process is structured.