In article , "Mike Marlow" wrote:

In a residential setting, if you're not going to surface mount, then there's
no reason for EMT - just use Romex. It's perfectly acceptable and equally
good.

Sorry, Mike, I can't agree with you there. This is going in a combination
garage/shop, where an electrical inspector would probably consider the cable
to be subject to physical damage, thus requiring that it be installed in
conduit of some sort. [2011 NEC, Article 334.15(B)]

IMO, even if enclosing it in conduit is not required, given where he's putting
it, I think it's imprudent.