What is NIULPE?

National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers, Inc.

What We Do | Why We're Important To You

The National Institute is a third party licensing agency that acts on a national level for power engineers and those associated with the profession. 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.

History

NIULPE was conceived and organized by engineers who were and are now members of the National Association of Power Engineers (NAPE). Since its founding in 1882, a major objective of NAPE has been the promotion and promulgation of measures designed to advance safety in all matters related to the management of energy. The promotion of high standards of competency and the attestation of these through licensing is part of this objective.

The concept of NIULPE has been brewing throughout the 120 year existence of NAPE. 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.