NEC 90.15: final inspection checklist

Final inspection is where sloppy work gets flagged and clean work gets signed off. NEC 90.15 frames the inspection scope and sets expectations for what an AHJ reviews before energizing. Use this as a pre-inspection walk before the inspector shows up.

Scope of the final inspection

The final inspection covers installed conductors, equipment, grounding, bonding, overcurrent protection, and workmanship per NEC 110.12. The inspector verifies the installation matches the approved plans and the listed use of each piece of equipment (NEC 110.3(B)).

Do not assume rough-in sign-off carries you. Anything altered after rough, added circuits, swapped panels, moved devices, gets re-examined. If the tag changed, the inspection changes with it.

Common scope items reviewed at final:

• Service entrance and main bonding jumper
• Grounding electrode system per NEC 250.50
• Panelboard directory, labels, and working clearances
• GFCI and AFCI protection where required
• Device terminations, torque, and wire fill
• Equipment listing and field markings

Service, grounding, and bonding

Start at the service. Confirm the grounding electrode conductor is sized per NEC 250.66 and continuous from the electrode to the service equipment. Irreversible connections only at rod or plate electrodes, per NEC 250.70. Water pipe bonds within 5 feet of entry, NEC 250.52(A)(1).

Main bonding jumper installed and sized correctly, NEC 250.28. On separately derived systems, verify the system bonding jumper lands at one point only. Two points of bonding creates parallel neutral paths and will fail inspection.

Pull the main and look. Inspectors open the service. If you did not torque lugs to the label spec (NEC 110.14(D)), bring your torque tool to the final and walk him through it.

Branch circuits and device protection

GFCI protection gets flagged more than any other item. Review NEC 210.8(A) for dwellings and 210.8(B) for other occupancies. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, garages, outdoors, basements, crawl spaces, and within 6 feet of sinks and tubs all require GFCI. Dishwashers now require GFCI per NEC 422.5(A).

AFCI protection under NEC 210.12 covers most dwelling unit branch circuits. Verify the breaker type matches the panel listing and the circuit actually terminates on the AFCI, not a bypassed pigtail. Inspectors test trip function, be ready.

Receptacle spacing in dwellings per NEC 210.52: no point along a wall more than 6 feet from a receptacle, any wall 2 feet or wider gets one. Countertops follow 210.52(C) with the 24 inch maximum rule. Tamper resistant receptacles required in dwellings per NEC 406.12.

Panelboards and overcurrent protection

Panelboard directory must be legible and specific, NEC 408.4(A). "Lights" is not acceptable. "Kitchen south recepts, SABC 1" is. Unused openings closed with listed closures per NEC 110.12(A).

Neutrals and grounds land on separate bars at subpanels, NEC 250.24(A)(5). Isolated neutral bar, bonded ground bar. One conductor per neutral hole unless the terminal is listed for more. Handle ties on multiwire branch circuits per NEC 210.4(B).

Working space is non-negotiable. NEC 110.26 requires 36 inches depth, 30 inches width or the width of the equipment (whichever is greater), and 6.5 feet headroom. No storage in the working space. No water heater in front of the panel.

Labels, listings, and field markings

Arc flash and available fault current labeling per NEC 110.16 and 110.24 applies to commercial and industrial service equipment. Date the label. SCCR markings on industrial control panels per NEC 409.110.

Equipment grounding conductors identified per NEC 250.119, green or bare. Neutrals per NEC 200.6, white or gray. High leg of a 4 wire delta marked orange, NEC 110.15. Ungrounded conductors in the same raceway at different systems need identification per NEC 210.5(C).

Inspectors look at labels before they look at wire. A clean, specific directory and proper phase identification signals the rest of the work is tight. Sloppy labels invite a hard look at everything else.

Walk the job before the inspector does

Run a dry inspection the morning of. Covers on, devices trimmed, every receptacle tested with a three-light tester and GFCI tester. Pull a few device plates and check for backstabs versus screw terminations, especially on 20 amp circuits where backstab is not rated. Look for cut insulation, shiners at clamps, and open knockouts.

Bring the paperwork. Load calcs, plan set, permit, product cut sheets for anything unusual, and the torque log if you kept one. A three ring binder earns goodwill.

Final checklist to run before calling for inspection:

1. All covers, plates, and canopies installed
2. Panel directory complete and legible
3. GFCI and AFCI tested at every required location
4. Grounding electrode system complete and accessible
5. Working clearances clear of storage or obstruction
6. Labels, markings, and SCCR where required
7. Equipment listings match installed use
8. Open knockouts closed, unused openings sealed
9. Neutral and ground separation verified at subpanels
10. Torque verified on lugs per NEC 110.14(D)

Pass rate on final comes down to the last hour of walking the job. If you catch it, you fix it on your time. If the inspector catches it, you fix it on his schedule.