Are gfci receptacles required in kitchens?

Yes, ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles are required in kitchens by the National Electrical Code (NEC). This requirement is in place to protect people from electrical shock in areas where water is often present, such as kitchens and bathrooms. GFCI receptacles work by monitoring the amount of current flowing through them, and if there is an imbalance (indicating that some of the current is leaking to ground), they trip, cutting off the power to the circuit.