NEC 2026 in Oregon: How Limited Energy Changes Affect LET License Holders

Oregon is uniquely positioned for NEC 2026 adoption. The state's "Limited Energy Technician" license already uses the exact terminology the NEC has adopted. Here's what Oregon low voltage contractors need to know about the upcoming code changes.

Why Oregon Matters for NEC 2026

Of all 50 states, Oregon may have the smoothest transition to NEC 2026 terminology. Why? The state has used "Limited Energy Technician" as its official license title for decades. When the NEC shifted from informal "low voltage" language to the formal "limited energy" umbrella, Oregon was already there.

This isn't just semantic alignment—it's practical. Oregon contractors, inspectors, and licensing officials already think in terms of "limited energy." The conceptual framework matches. What changes is the code structure itself, not the terminology.

Oregon's Adoption Timeline

The Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) has announced the code adoption process for the 2026 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC):

Milestone	Date	Details
National publication	2025	NEC 2026 officially released
Oregon adoption process begins	2025	Electrical and Elevator Board initiates review
Public comment period	2025-2026	Amendment proposals accepted
Anticipated adoption	October 1, 2026	2026 OESC takes effect

Oregon typically adopts NEC editions with relatively few amendments compared to states like California. The 2026 OESC will be based on:

• 2026 NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code)
• Existing Oregon amendments from the 2023 OESC
• New public code amendment proposals

For the latest updates on adoption events and timeline, visit the Oregon BCD OESC Adoption page.

Oregon's Limited Energy Technician Licenses

Oregon offers two Limited Energy Technician licenses through the Building Codes Division, both of which authorize work on systems now governed by NEC 2026's Chapter 7:

Class A Limited Energy Technician (LEA)

Scope: Full limited energy installations including protective signaling systems

• Fire alarm systems
• Burglar/security alarm systems
• Nurse call and voice evacuation systems
• HVAC controls
• Medical equipment controls
• Intercom, paging, and sound systems
• CCTV
• Data telecommunications
• Instrumentation
• Clock systems

Requirements:

• 6,000 hours of experience (minimum 3,000 in trade-specific work)
• At least 750 hours in protective signaling (fire alarm, security, nurse call)
• 432 hours of classroom training
• 52-question exam (3 hours, open-book, 75% passing)

Class B Limited Energy Technician (LEB)

Scope: Limited energy installations excluding protective signaling

• Structured cabling for network communications
• HVAC controls
• CCTV
• Sound systems (non-life-safety)
• Building automation

Requirements:

• 4,000 hours of experience
• 288 hours of classroom training (or approved apprenticeship)
• 28-question exam (2 hours, open-book, 75% passing)

Key Distinction: Class B licensees cannot install "protective signaling"—defined as fire alarm, nurse call, burglar alarm, security, and voice evacuation systems that are part of fire or life safety systems. If the system could save lives in an emergency, you need Class A.

How NEC 2026 Changes Affect Oregon LET Work

Code Reference Changes

The most immediate impact for Oregon contractors is where you look up requirements. The work itself doesn't change—but the code sections do:

Requirement	Previous Location	NEC 2026 Location
General wiring methods	725.130, 760.130, 800.x	Article 720
Power sources (Class 2/3)	725.121	Article 721
Cable types and marking	725.154, 760.154, 800.x	Article 722
Raceways and cable trays	Various	Article 723
Grounding and bonding	725.121, 760.x, 800.100	Article 750
Class 2/3 circuits	Article 725 (full)	Article 725 (reduced to 3 sections)
Fire alarm	Article 760	Article 760 (references new articles)
Communications	Article 800 (independent)	Articles 720-750 (integrated) + Article 800 (outside/entrance only)

Chapter 8 Independence Eliminated

For LEA and LEB licensees who install data/telecommunications, this is significant. Under previous NEC editions, Chapter 8 (Communications Systems) was self-contained—it only followed Chapters 1-7 when explicitly referenced. This "independence" meant communications work operated under different rules than other limited-energy systems.

NEC 2026 eliminates this independence. Chapter 8's title changes to "Communications Systems—Outside and Entering Buildings," limiting its scope to exterior and entrance installations. Interior communications work now falls under Chapter 7, following the same rules as all other limited-energy systems.

Practical impact: Inspectors may apply more Chapter 1-4 requirements to data cabling installations than previously. Separation from power conductors, support methods, and general wiring requirements now explicitly apply to interior communications work.

New Article Structure for LEA Work

Class A technicians installing fire alarm and security systems will find their primary references in:

• Article 720 - General requirements (check here first)
• Article 721 - Power sources for your Class 2/3 circuits
• Article 722 - Cable requirements (FPL, FPLP, FPLR for fire alarm; CL2, CL3 for security)
• Article 750 - Grounding and bonding
• Article 760 - Fire alarm-specific requirements (still exists, now references new articles)

New Article Structure for LEB Work

Class B technicians installing data, HVAC controls, and CCTV will reference:

• Article 720 - General requirements
• Article 721 - Class 2/3 power sources
• Article 722 - Cable requirements (CL2, CL3, CM types)
• Article 723 - Raceways and cable routing assemblies
• Article 725 - Class 2/3 specific requirements (now very short)
• Article 750 - Grounding and bonding

Oregon-Specific Considerations

Oregon Amendments to Watch

Oregon typically maintains amendments in "Table 1-E" that modify or supplement NEC requirements. During the 2026 OESC adoption process, watch for:

• Whether Oregon adopts the new Chapter 7 structure with modifications
• Any Oregon-specific definitions for "limited energy" systems
• Amendments affecting fire alarm or protective signaling requirements
• Changes to existing Oregon amendments in the transition

Oregon uses "OESC" followed by a section number to denote state amendments. For example, an Oregon-specific modification to Article 720 would appear as "OESC 720.x".

Continuing Education Requirements

Oregon requires 8 hours of continuing education for Limited Energy Technician license renewal. As NEC 2026 adoption approaches, expect CE providers to offer courses covering:

• Chapter 7 reorganization overview
• New article locations for common requirements
• Chapter 8 independence changes
• Oregon-specific amendments

The Building Codes Division maintains current CE requirements at oregon.gov/bcd/ce.

Exam Implications

Oregon LET exams are open-book code lookup tests. After October 1, 2026 (anticipated adoption date), exams will reference the 2026 OESC. Candidates should:

• Purchase the 2026 NEC and any Oregon supplements when available
• Tab the new article locations (720, 721, 722, 723, 750)
• Practice navigating between the new articles
• Understand the new Chapter 8 scope limitation

The exam structure (52 questions/3 hours for LEA; 28 questions/2 hours for LEB) is unlikely to change.

Inspection Changes to Expect

Oregon electrical inspectors will apply the new code structure after adoption. Expect:

More Systematic Reviews

Inspectors may follow a more consistent process across all limited-energy systems:

1. Article 720 compliance for general wiring methods
2. Article 722 compliance for cable types and marking
3. Article 750 compliance for grounding and bonding
4. System-specific article for additional requirements

Unified Standards for Communications

With Chapter 8 independence eliminated, data cabling installations may receive more scrutiny regarding:

• Separation from power conductors
• Support and securing methods
• Cable tray and raceway compliance

Consistent Grounding Enforcement

Article 750 consolidates grounding requirements across all limited-energy systems. Inspectors will have a single reference point for:

• Bonding to building grounding electrode system
• Intersystem bonding termination connections
• Shield and sheath grounding

Preparing for the Transition

For Active LEA/LEB License Holders

1. Monitor BCD updates - Subscribe to GovDelivery notifications from the Building Codes Division
2. Obtain the 2026 NEC - Available from NFPA; Oregon supplements will follow
3. Update code references - Begin learning the new article locations before adoption
4. Complete CE early - Take 2026-focused courses when available
5. Update proposals and specs - Prepare to cite new article numbers in documentation

For Apprentices and License Candidates

1. Learn both structures - You may need to know 2023 OESC for current work and 2026 for exams
2. Focus on concepts - The requirements haven't changed, just their locations
3. Time your exam - If close to meeting requirements, consider whether to test before or after October 2026

For Contractors and Business Owners

1. Update reference materials - Ensure crews have access to 2026 NEC after adoption
2. Schedule training - Plan team code updates around the October 2026 adoption
3. Review proposals - Update boilerplate language referencing NEC articles
4. Communicate with clients - Explain any procedural changes resulting from code updates

Oregon's Competitive Advantage

Oregon's existing "Limited Energy Technician" terminology positions the state well for NEC 2026. Contractors operating in Oregon benefit from:

• Consistent terminology - No need to explain "limited energy" to clients—it's already the Oregon standard
• Clear license scope - LEA and LEB licenses map directly to NEC 2026 limited-energy concepts
• Straightforward adoption - Oregon typically adopts NEC with fewer amendments than other states
• October 2026 timeline - Provides time to prepare after national NEC release

Contractors working across state lines can use their Oregon knowledge as a foundation for understanding NEC 2026 nationally.

Related Resources

Oregon BCD Resources

• OESC 2026 Adoption Page
• Oregon Electrical Code Program
• Continuing Education Requirements

NEC 2026 Content

• NEC 2026 Article 720: General Requirements for Limited-Energy Systems
• NEC 2026 Articles 721-723: Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits Complete Guide
• NEC 2026 Article 750: Grounding and Bonding for Limited-Energy Systems
• What is Limited Energy? Understanding NEC 2026's New Terminology
• NEC 2026 Adoption by State Tracker

Stay Ahead of Oregon Projects

NEC 2026 adoption changes how Oregon inspectors evaluate limited-energy installations. Stay ahead of projects in your area as the transition approaches.

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Oregon, alerting you to opportunities the moment they're filed.

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Last updated: February 2026. This article provides guidance on NEC 2026 implications for Oregon Limited Energy Technicians. For official licensing and code adoption information, contact the Oregon Building Codes Division at (503) 378-4133 or visit oregon.gov/bcd. Adoption timeline is subject to change.

Sources

• Oregon BCD: OESC Adoption
• OAR 918-282-0355: Class A Limited Energy Technician Requirements
• OAR 918-282-0365: Class B Limited Energy Technician Requirements
• RocketCert: How to Obtain a Limited Energy License in Oregon
• IAEI Magazine: NEC 2026 Significant Code Changes