Damp rated is for ANY location that will have, at one point or another in the life of the fixture, some amount of moisture. The intent of a bathroom which contains a shower or tub is for those items to be used and thus moisture to be in the air. It does not matter if you never use them.
These fixtures are specifically manufactured for that environment. They may contain a gasket that seals all electrical components, etc.. A fixture that is not damp rated is not manufactured as such.
Yes, there is a possibility of electrocution should one install a fixture that is not damp rated in a bathroom. You cannot damp proof a fixture yourself, only the manufacturer with the help of Underwriters Laboratory(lots of money!!) can do this. However once you tamper with the fixture it automatically voids the warranty.

There is no requirement for light fixtures in a bathroom to be rated "damp" or "wet" rated.Only if the fixture is installed near the tub or in a shower stall is there a requirement for "damp" rating.
The vast majority of wall mounted decorative fixtures on the market today by all the top manufacturers do not carry "damp" ratings.
"Wet location rating is only required when the fixture may receive direct water spray, such as on the wall of a shower or in a car wash area.
Ceiling mounted shower lights need only carry a "damp"
location label.

Oh my gosh normclc; now I am thoroughly confused again. Especially because the vanity light I want is rated for "damp location". I would assume a vanity light bar would never be located too near a shower or tub since there is usually a countertop of some length on either side of the light. If a vanity light is not required to be "damp" rated, when the bathroom sink is 3 to 4 feet below it, would a sconce that is 4 feet above the top of the water level in a tub without a shower also not need to be "damp" rated? The great reason for my confusion is the matching sconce to the vanity light I want to use is "dry" rated according to one website selling them. It would be used on an 8" piece of wall between windows in the bath. It would be about 4 feet above the fill level of the tub, but only 1 foot outside the tub surround. There is NO WAY water could splash on it. I see you are with a lighting fixture company. Would you sell these fixtures for a bathroom as I described? Here is a link to the vanity light I'll post another with the sconce info. Also, I've looked at lots of websites and only this one actually shows a rating for either product. Thanks for trying to help me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cyan 5 light bar

This is the dry rated sconce I want to use.

Here is a link that might be useful: Matching Cyan sconce rated dry location

I realize that there is confusion in this area.
Most of the time, for the situation that you describe , with the fixture above the tub,electrical codes would require a ground fault interrupter(GIF)circuit breaker for protection.
The only place we see "damp location" rated products in the bathroom is for installation in the shower area.
Check the "web" for definition of "wet" or "damp" ratings.

Thanks, I had looked at the linked info from UL as well as the UL webpage. It just looks like if it isn't rated for damp locations it shouldn't be in a bathroom because of condensation. I appreciate your help in educating me.

Here is a link that might be useful: UL info for Damp locations

For areas using the NEC, the code lets the fixture manufacturer specify the need for GFCI with their fixture. Typically only fans and fan/lights require GFCIs in the installation instructions for shower areas.

Thanks, dim4fun. That helps with some of my confusion about all this.

Track lights, pull chain devices, cord-attached suspended lights, pendant fixtures, and paddle fans cannot be placed in a zone 8 ft above a tub rim or shower curb and 3 ft horizontally beyond the tub/shower. This does not apply to recessed or surface-mounted fixtures, switches, or receptacles although any required ground fault protection should have already been provided by your electrician.

Fixtures allowed in the bathtub/shower zone must be listed for "damp locations" and if they are going to be subject to shower spray, they must be listed for "wet locations".

Standard switches, receptacles, and fixtures are not allowed within the wet area of a shower or tub.

Thank you so much macy. That is EXACTLY the info I needed. It is still confusing that a manufacturer would rate a vanity bar for damp location (I assumed that meant simply for a bath) and have a matching sconce rated for a dry location. I gave up trying to get an answer to why and if they were okay to use and picked some that are both damp rated. (even though now your info makes it look like I could have used my dream fixtures). I appreciate you taking the time to answer.

So much information! If the fixture is not going into a wet area and is properly installed on a GFI circuit, you can use any fixture you want at a vanity. Vanity fixtures are not subject to excessive moisture unless you have a vanity in a sauna.......Some manufacturers choose to ask for a damp rating on their vanity lights as a selling feature. Showers & saunas require Wet rated fixtures. You should have no issues with a dry rated fixture in a normal vainty area.

More confusion. Dim4fun says gfi is only required in shower for light and/or fan. Do all bath fixtures require gfi as it seems ginger light is saying? Omigosh, I am just going to use candles. :-]

Maybe this isn't as confusing as it appears- perhaps I am not reading posts correctly, but it seems like everyone is contradicting each other. In a bathroom, where water is not going to touch a fixture, as in the vanity area or a sconce on a wall not close to a shower, is any fixture regardless of rating okay to use??? Are ratings totally voluntary as it seems gingerlight is saying? Is dampness from normal shower activity, i.e. steam or condensation, not a problem for fixtures rated for use in dry area? I really have considered looking just at outdoor fixtures, so I know they can be used near the tub (where there is no shower and the closest to the water they will be is 4 ft above water line and 1.5 ft away from edge of tub (4 ft below). Or can I use a dry rated fixture there? Anyone?

Thanks,

Your "dense" rated sister!

Here is the most simple answer I can give based on NEC 410.11(D)

The bathtub/shower area is considered a damp location within a box measuring 8' above the tub/shower rim and 3' to the side. If the water spray can hit the fixture it must be wet location listed. Normally a fixture in a typically sized shower is going to called wet location by inspectors. GFCI protection is not required unless the fixture manufacturer's installation instructions call for it as is the case with every fan or fan/light I've ever seen. Your local "authority having jurisdiction" over these matters may have their own interpretation and can modify the code as they see fit.

Your fixture is inside the damp zone. You must read the instructions from the manufacture to know if it needs GFCI. If in doubt it is best to exceed safety rules as the code is the minimum and is not intended to be a design guide.

Dim4fun, that is so simple and easy for me to understand -finally! I switched out the sconce nearest the tub for a pendant, hoping it will meet code. I am assuming my electrician will install GFCI if needed there. I agree, I'd rather pay a little more and exceed code in order to be totally safe. Again, thanks for persisting with me. I hope it helps other confused homeowners.

You can use anything really, since it's not in the shower. http://www.ul.com/global/documents/offerings/industries/lighting/lightingindustryservices/articles/0803.pdf

Call the manufacturer of your light fixture. I called mine and sadly for me was told: "If the light is rated dry, Do Not install it in a bathroom with a tub/shower--too much moisture."