Do you have to put GFCI Outlets in the Kitchen and Bathroom?

The National Electric Code (NEC) requires GFCI outlets in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and for outdoor outlets. This code is usually adopted by almost all the towns and cities across the US and many other parts of the world. It is researched very carefully and discussed at length before being adopted.

GFCI outlets will protect you from a shock hazard due to wet or damp floors etc. They can be easy to install if the existing wall box is big enough to handle the larger (deeper) outlet. If there is not enough room in the wall box to handle the GFCI outlet, a gfci breaker can protect all the outlets on that circuit in lieu of single gfci outlets at the bathroom, kitchen counter, etc.

If your town or state has not adopted the NEC, you are not required to install these devices. It does offer a lot more saftey than a standard outlet.