I don't know how long it has been this way, but for at least the last few years you can read it online for free [1] if you create an account at the publisher's

I don't know how long it has been this way, but for at least the last few years you can read it online for free [1] if you create an account at the publisher's site, nfpa.org. Here's a list of the codes NFPA publishes [2]. The NEC is NFPA 70. Checking a few random ones, the ones that were not obsolete or withdrawn are available for online free reading. That includes several past editions. E.g., for the NEC the free online access includes editions going back to 1968. (Old editions are sometimes relevant because local codes often lag in adopting the latest version). [1] https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Standards/Free-access https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Stand... [2] https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Standards/Codes-and-Standards https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Stand...