GFCI / AFCI Requirements Reference
Plain-English summary of GFCI and AFCI requirements by occupancy area.
Reference
Areas
- Kitchen receptacles Required for receptacles serving countertop surfaces and within 6 ft of a sink.AFCI: Required for branch circuits supplying outlets in dwelling-unit kitchens.; NEC ref: NEC 210.8(A) and 210.12(A)
- Bathroom receptacles Required for all 125 V single-phase 15- and 20-amp receptacles.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 V receptacles in outdoor locations.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)
Details, formula, and sources
(reference page; no compute) GFCI required locations per NEC 210.8; AFCI required locations per NEC 210.12.
NEC 2023 (NFPA 70). Sections 210.8 and 210.12.
Free read-only access at nfpa.org/freeaccess.
Estimate. AHJ and licensed electrician govern. Verify against the NEC edition adopted in your jurisdiction.