Do bedroom lights need AFCI protection?

Yes. NEC 210.12(A) applies to circuits supplying outlets or devices, and a lighting outlet is an outlet, so bedroom lighting circuits require AFCI protection.

Does a bedroom smoke alarm circuit need AFCI?

Yes. NEC 210.12 contains no exception for smoke alarm circuits in the listed areas, so a dedicated smoke alarm homerun in a bedroom or hallway needs AFCI protection.

Does moving a bedroom outlet trigger the AFCI rule?

Usually yes under NEC 210.12(D), unless the extension is 6 feet or less and adds no outlets or devices.

What does the NEC require for AFCI protection in bedrooms?

Every 120 volt, single phase, 15 and 20 ampere branch circuit supplying outlets or devices in a dwelling unit bedroom must be arc fault protected. Section 210.12(A) lists bedrooms explicitly, along with kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar rooms or areas.

Outlets and devices, not just receptacles

The wording is broader than most people remember. Article 100 defines an outlet as a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment, so lighting outlets count. A device is a unit of an electrical system, other than a conductor, that carries or controls electric energy as its principal function, so a switch counts. The practical effect is that the bedroom lighting circuit needs AFCI protection just as much as the receptacle circuit, even if the lights are fed from a hallway circuit that passes through.

Smoke alarm circuits are included as well. There is no exception in 210.12 for a dedicated smoke alarm circuit in a bedroom or hallway, which is why combination AFCI breakers are standard on those homeruns.

Acceptable methods

Section 210.12(A) permits several ways to comply. The common one is a listed combination type AFCI installed at the origin of the branch circuit, which is the AFCI breaker in the panel. Also permitted are a listed branch circuit or feeder type AFCI at the origin combined with a listed outlet branch circuit type AFCI at the first outlet, a listed supplemental arc protection breaker at the origin with the first outlet marked and within 15 m, or 50 feet, of conductor length, a listed outlet branch circuit type AFCI at the first outlet with the homerun in metal raceway or metal cable, and a listed system combination type AFCI.

Note the metal raceway option. If the entire length of the branch circuit from the panel to the first outlet is in RMC, IMC, EMT, Type MC, or steel armored Type AC meeting 250.118, an outlet branch circuit type AFCI receptacle at the first outlet is compliant. That is a useful path in commercial style multifamily work where the panel is full of standard breakers.

Remodels and extensions

Section 210.12(D) is the rule that catches renovation work. Where branch circuit wiring in any of the areas listed in 210.12(A) is modified, replaced, or extended, the branch circuit shall be protected by a listed combination type AFCI at the origin, or a listed outlet branch circuit type AFCI at the first receptacle outlet of the existing branch circuit. Moving one bedroom receptacle three feet to clear a new closet triggers it.

An exception exists where the extension of the existing conductors is not more than 1.8 m, or 6 feet, and does not include any additional outlets or devices, so simply relocating a box a short distance without adding anything is exempt.

Field takeaway

Bedrooms get AFCI on every 15 and 20 ampere 120 volt circuit, lighting included, smoke alarms included. Use combination type breakers unless you have a full metal raceway homerun. On remodels, check 210.12(D) before you quote, because the AFCI upgrade often lands on circuits you were not planning to touch.