Bathroom panels were not included in the 1984 National Electrical Code (NEC) because they were not commonly used at that time. However, they were added to the NEC in the 1993 edition as a result of concerns about electrical safety in bathrooms.The NEC is updated every three years, and the 2023 edition is the current version. Section 240.24 of the 2023 NEC states that "outlets and devices in bathrooms shall not be installed within a zone that extends 1.2 m (4 ft) horizontally from the edge of the tub, shower, or sink." This zone is known as the "wet location" and is considered to be a hazardous area where water can come into contact with electrical equipment.Therefore, bathroom panels are not allowed in wet locations. However, they may be installed in other areas of the bathroom, such as outside the wet location or on a wall that is not adjacent to a bathtub, shower, or sink.It is possible that the bathroom in the older home you inspected was built before the NEC was updated to include bathroom panels. As a result, the panel may not be in violation of the code. However, it is always best to have an electrician inspect the panel to ensure that it is safe and up to code. Flag for review