2017 NEC kitchen receptacle requirements start with 210.52(C): every wall countertop space 12 in. or wider gets a receptacle, placed so no point along the wall line is more than 24 in. from one. An island or peninsula with a long side of 24 in. or more and a short side of 12 in. or more needs at least one receptacle, whatever its size. Countertop receptacles sit no more than 20 in. above the counter, on at least two 20 A small-appliance branch circuits.
These are the answers graded on the exams in JCR's 2017 NEC exam states guide. For the circuit side of the same questions, read how many outlets go on a 20 amp circuit, then test yourself with the 2017 NEC practice test.
Tennessee, Nevada, Arizona or Kansas exam coming up? Those boards still grade the 2017 NEC, island and peninsula rules included. JCR's 2017 package works dwelling receptacle questions on that edition.
Inside the $495 package: 100 video lessons totaling 21 hours, a printed 152-page 2017 NEC manual, permanent code tabs, a printed mock booklet and 312 online questions that include a timed 100-question mock.
Get the 2017 NEC package: $495
Not ready to buy? Start with the free 25-question 2017 NEC mock.
2017 NEC kitchen countertop receptacle rules: 210.52(C)
| Countertop | 2017 NEC requirement | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Wall countertop space | A receptacle at each space 12 in. or wider. No point along the wall line more than 24 in. from a receptacle in that space. | 210.52(C)(1) |
| Island | At least one receptacle if the long dimension is 24 in. or more and the short dimension is 12 in. or more | 210.52(C)(2) |
| Peninsula | At least one receptacle, same 24 in. × 12 in. test. A peninsula is measured from the connected perpendicular wall. | 210.52(C)(3) |
| Separate spaces | Rangetops, refrigerators and sinks split a counter into separate spaces. On an island or peninsula, a range or sink with less than 12 in. of counter behind it splits the counter in two. | 210.52(C)(4) |
| Height | On or above the counter, no more than 20 in. above it. Up to 12 in. below is allowed only for construction for the physically impaired, or on a flat island or peninsula with no way to mount above. | 210.52(C)(5) |
Three more details catch people. A receptacle hidden by an appliance fastened in place, an appliance garage, a sink or a rangetop does not count. A wall directly behind a range or sink may not need a receptacle, as shown in Figure 210.52(C)(1). Countertop receptacles also never count toward the wall-space receptacles in 210.52(A) (210.52(A)(4)).
Room walls work differently. In living rooms, bedrooms and similar rooms, no point along the floor line may be more than 6 ft from a receptacle, and any wall 2 ft or wider counts as wall space (210.52(A)(1) and (A)(2)). Testing on the 2020 NEC? JCR's guide to the 6-foot and 12-foot outlet spacing rules covers that edition.
Worked example: counting a kitchen
A kitchen has these countertop spaces and no other complications:
- Run A, 9 ft (108 in.) between the refrigerator and the range. Each receptacle covers 24 in. on each side, or 48 in. in all. 108 ÷ 48 = 2.25, so you need 3. Put them at about 24, 72 and 96 in. from one end. Two receptacles cover only 96 in.
- Run B, 30 in. between the range and the sink. It is 12 in. or wider, so it needs 1. Centered, it is 15 in. from each end.
- Run C, 10 in. between the sink and a side wall. Under 12 in., so 0.
- Island, 6 ft × 3 ft, no sink or cooktop. It passes the 24 in. × 12 in. test, so 1.
- Peninsula, 5 ft long from the connected wall × 30 in. deep. It passes the same test, so 1.
Total: 6 countertop receptacles, all GFCI protected under 210.8(A)(6) and all on the small-appliance branch circuits. Now add a cooktop to the island with only 9 in. of counter behind it. The cooktop splits the island into two spaces, and each side that still passes the 24 in. × 12 in. test needs its own receptacle.
Small-appliance branch circuits, 210.11(C)(1) and 210.52(B)
- At least two 20 A circuits serve the receptacles in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room and similar areas (210.11(C)(1)).
- What they serve: all wall and floor receptacles under 210.52(A), all countertop receptacles and the refrigerator receptacle in those rooms (210.52(B)(1)). The refrigerator may instead be on its own 15 A or larger circuit.
- Countertops get two circuits: kitchen countertop receptacles must be supplied by at least two small-appliance circuits, and no small-appliance circuit may serve more than one kitchen (210.52(B)(3)).
- No other outlets (210.52(B)(2)). The exceptions are a clock receptacle and supplemental equipment and lighting on a gas range, oven or counter-mounted cooking unit.
Other 2017 NEC dwelling receptacle requirements
| Area | 2017 NEC requirement |
|---|---|
| Bathrooms (210.52(D)) | At least one receptacle within 3 ft of the outside edge of each basin, on an adjacent wall, on the countertop, or on the cabinet side or face no more than 12 in. below the top. Fed by a 20 A bathroom circuit (210.11(C)(3)). |
| Outdoors (210.52(E)) | One-family and each two-family unit at grade: one at the front and one at the back, readily accessible from grade and no more than 6½ ft above grade. Balconies, decks and porches reached from inside the unit need one too. |
| Laundry (210.52(F)) | At least one receptacle where laundry equipment goes, on a 20 A laundry circuit with no other outlets (210.11(C)(2)) |
| Basements, garages, accessory buildings (210.52(G)) | One- and two-family dwellings: at least one receptacle in each vehicle bay of an attached garage or a detached garage with power, no more than 5½ ft above the floor; one in each accessory building with power; and one in each separate unfinished part of a basement |
| Hallways (210.52(H)) | At least one if the hall is 10 ft or longer, measured along the centerline without passing through a doorway |
| Foyers (210.52(I)) | Over 60 sq ft and not part of a hallway: a receptacle in each wall space 3 ft or wider |
Exam traps on 210.52
- Forgetting the 12 in. threshold. A wall counter space narrower than 12 in. needs no receptacle.
- Using the 2020 or 2023 island rules. The 2020 NEC counts island and peninsula receptacles by countertop area, and the 2023 NEC changed the rule again. Your 2017 exam scores the 2017 answer: at least one receptacle per qualifying island or peninsula space.
- Ignoring the 12 in. behind a sink or cooktop. On an island or peninsula, less than 12 in. of counter behind it splits the top into two spaces, and each may need its own receptacle.
- Counting receptacles that don't count. Receptacles more than 5½ ft above the floor, inside cabinets or part of an appliance don't satisfy 210.52 (210.52, first paragraph).
- Adding other loads to a small-appliance circuit. A dishwasher, disposal or range hood does not belong on one.
Dwelling receptacle quiz: 5 questions
Work each one with your 2017 NEC open, then check the answers below.
Question 1
A kitchen wall countertop space between a range and a refrigerator is 10 in. wide. How many receptacles does 210.52(C)(1) require there?
- None
- One
- One, GFCI protected
- Two
Question 2
A kitchen island is 8 ft long and 3 ft deep, with no sink or cooktop. What is the minimum number of receptacles under the 2017 NEC?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Question 3
A 7 ft × 42 in. island has a sink in the middle with only 9 in. of counter behind it. Each side of the sink is about 3 ft long. What is the minimum number of receptacles?
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
Question 4
A receptacle serving a kitchen wall countertop is mounted on the backsplash. What is the most it may be above the countertop?
- 12 in.
- 18 in.
- 20 in.
- 24 in.
Question 5
Which outlet may be supplied by a dwelling's kitchen small-appliance branch circuit?
- The dishwasher
- The range hood
- A dining room wall receptacle
- The garbage disposal
Answer key
Show answer 1Hide answer 1
1. A, none (210.52(C)(1) and (C)(4))
The range and refrigerator make this a separate countertop space. A receptacle is required only at wall countertop spaces 12 in. or wider. At 10 in., none is required.
Show answer 2Hide answer 2
2. A, 1 (210.52(C)(2))
The island's long side is at least 24 in. and its short side at least 12 in., so the 2017 NEC requires at least one receptacle. The 2017 rule does not increase the count with island size. A 2020 NEC area count would give 2 for this 24 sq ft island, so the edition matters.
Show answer 3Hide answer 3
3. C, 2 (210.52(C)(4) and (C)(2))
With less than 12 in. of counter behind the sink, the sink divides the island into two separate spaces. Each is about 36 in. × 42 in., which passes the 24 in. × 12 in. test, so each needs one receptacle.
Show answer 4Hide answer 4
4. C, 20 in. (210.52(C)(5))
Countertop receptacles must be on or above the countertop, no more than 20 in. above it. The 12 in. figure is how far below the countertop the exception allows in limited cases.
Show answer 5Hide answer 5
5. C, a dining room wall receptacle (210.52(B)(1) and (B)(2))
Small-appliance circuits serve the receptacles in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room and similar areas. They may not supply other outlets, so the dishwasher, range hood and disposal go on other circuits.
Kitchen and dwelling receptacle requirements FAQ
How many receptacles does a kitchen island need under the 2017 NEC?
At least one, if the island has a long dimension of 24 in. or more and a short dimension of 12 in. or more (210.52(C)(2)). A range or sink with less than 12 in. of counter behind it splits the island into two spaces, and each qualifying space then needs its own receptacle.
Do countertop receptacles count toward the 6 ft wall-space rule?
No. Under 210.52(A)(4), receptacles installed for countertops under 210.52(C) are not counted as the wall-space receptacles required by 210.52(A).
How many small-appliance branch circuits does a dwelling kitchen need?
At least two 20 A small-appliance branch circuits (210.11(C)(1)). The kitchen countertop receptacles must be supplied by at least two of them, and none may serve more than one kitchen (210.52(B)(3)).
Where does a bathroom receptacle go under the 2017 NEC?
Within 3 ft of the outside edge of each basin, on a wall next to the basin, on the countertop, or on the side or face of the basin cabinet no more than 12 in. below the top (210.52(D)).
Turn 210.52 into easy exam points
Countertop counts, island splits and small-appliance circuit questions all follow the 2017 wording. Check yourself before the clock is running.
The mock is free with an email sign-up and cites the NEC section for each answer. For a full study plan, see the 2017 NEC self-study package ($495) for all four 2017 NEC states, or the Tennessee package.
Sources and answer references
- NFPA 70, 2017 edition: 210.8(A)(6), 210.11(C), 210.52(A) through (I), Figure 210.52(C)(1)
Reviewed November 6, 2026. NEC references are to the 2017 edition.
