Bathroom receptacles require at least one dedicated 20A GFCI-protected circuit. This circuit may serve multiple bathrooms but cannot serve other rooms.
| Recommended wire | 12/2 NM-B with ground |
| Breaker | 20A GFCI |
| Voltage | 120V |
| Typical amperage | 12A |
| Circuit amperage | 20A |
| NEC reference | NEC 210.11(C)(3) |
| Max recommended distance | About 75 feet one-way for 3% drop at 12A |
GFCI protection is mandatory for all bathroom receptacles. The circuit can be GFCI protected at the breaker or at the first receptacle.
12 AWG copper wire on a 20A, 120V GFCI-protected single-pole circuit. NEC 210.11(C)(3) requires at least one dedicated 20A circuit for bathroom receptacles. This circuit may serve outlets in multiple bathrooms but no other room.
Yes — NEC 210.8(A)(1) requires GFCI protection for all receptacles in bathrooms. The GFCI must be within 6 feet of the outside edge of any sink. A single GFCI outlet can protect downstream regular outlets on the same circuit.
No — bathroom receptacle circuits must be dedicated. Where one 20A circuit serves a single bathroom, it may also supply that bathroom’s lighting and exhaust fan (NEC 210.11(C)(3) Exception). Bathroom lighting and fans are typically on a separate general-purpose circuit (14 AWG, 15A) that may serve multiple rooms.
Yes — NEC 210.11(C)(3) allows a single 20A bathroom receptacle circuit to serve outlets in more than one bathroom, as long as the circuit supplies only bathroom receptacles and no other rooms. Alternatively, each bathroom can have its own 20A circuit.