In 1967, four members of the Wisconsin State Association joined in forming what is today known as NIULPE. The number of licensing agencies has grown to include 28 states, the District of Columbia, and an army base.

The National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers is an incorporated, third-party licensing agency that acts on a national level to establish standards for firemen and water-tenders, engineers, operators, examiners, instructors, and the licensing agencies currently existing. In addition, NIULPE will accredit courses taught in Power Engineering Technology which meet minimum requirements and will commission those instructors of power technology and those instructors teaching courses in support of power technology who meet the requirements established by this Institute.

Registration is purely voluntary on the part of licensing agencies, etc. It is, however, the only formal structure through which a person in power engineering may establish formally, a level of national competence and national professional recognition.

NIULPE is affiliated with the National Association of Power Engineers and will perform the following major functions:

1. Establish and maintain uniform standards as to qualifications for power engineers.
2. Promote safety in the operation of power generating equipment.
3. Assist licensing agencies to determine the competence of power engineers through investigations and examinations which test the qualifications of voluntary candidates for licenses to be issued under the rules of NIULPE.
4. Grant and issue commissions to the licensing agencies who apply and qualify.
5. Maintain a registry of all licensing agencies meeting the requirements of NIULPE.
6. Serve as a clearing house to facilitate reciprocity between all licensing agencies.
7. Maintain a registry of all examiners who meet the requirements of NIULPE and are commissioned by NIULPE.
8. Develop and keep current uniform terms and definitions, updating terminology and eliminating obsolete terms.
9. Encourage the enforcement and compliance to all codes, laws, and acts assuring the protection of health, life and property, i.e. Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Public Law 91-596, and the accepted engineering practice standards in appendices B and C in the Boca Basic Mechanical Code/1971, Air Pollution Control, Article II of the Boca Mechanical Code 1971.
10. Publish a standard curriculum for education and guideline for study requirements.
11. Publish a guideline for power equipment rating, automation, etc.
12. Act as advisor to educational entities engaged in teaching power engineering and technology.
13. Helping Engineers Become Certified.