GFCI / AFCI Requirements Reference
Plain-English summary of GFCI and AFCI requirements by occupancy area.
Reference
Areas
- Kitchen receptacles Required for all receptacles in dwelling-unit kitchens (NEC 2023 210.8(A)(6); 2020 covered only countertop receptacles) and within 6 ft of a sink (210.8(A)(7)), 125-250 V on circuits 150 V or less to ground.AFCI: Required for branch circuits supplying outlets in dwelling-unit kitchens.; NEC ref: NEC 2023 210.8(A)(6)/(7) and 210.12(A)
- Bathroom receptacles Required for all 125-250 V receptacles on single-phase circuits rated 150 V or less to ground (NEC 2020 onward).AFCI: Not generally required.; NEC ref: NEC 210.8(A)(1)
- Garage and accessory buildings Required for receptacles installed in garages and accessory buildings.AFCI: Not generally required outside dwelling-unit habitable rooms.; NEC ref: NEC 210.8(A)(2)
- Outdoor receptacles Required for all 125-250 V receptacles in outdoor locations on circuits rated 150 V or less to ground (NEC 2020 onward).AFCI: Not generally required.; NEC ref: NEC 210.8(A)(3)
- Bedrooms (dwelling units) Not generally required (unless near a sink).AFCI: Required for all 120 V branch circuits supplying outlets and devices in dwelling-unit bedrooms.; NEC ref: NEC 210.12(A)
- Laundry areas Required for receptacles in laundry areas.AFCI: Required for branch circuits supplying laundry-area outlets.; NEC ref: NEC 210.8(A)(10) and 210.12(A)
Checked against published worked examples from: NEC 2023 + project bundled GFCI/AFCI required-area schedule.
Details, formula, and sources
Formula or table(reference page; no compute) GFCI required locations per NEC 210.8; AFCI required locations per NEC 210.12.
Source and editionNEC 2023 (NFPA 70). Sections 210.8 and 210.12.
Free accessFree read-only access at nfpa.org/freeaccess.
What governsEstimate. AHJ and licensed electrician govern. Verify against the NEC edition adopted in your jurisdiction.