[1] NSPE is the recognized voice and advocate of licensed Professional Engineers represented in 53 state and territorial societies and over 500 local chapters.
In 1976, NSPE was the petitioner in National Society of Professional Engineers v. United States, 435 U.S. 679 antitrust case.
The United States government brought this antitrust suit against NSPE, claiming that NSPE's ethical canon prohibiting its members from submitting competitive bids for engineering services suppressed competition which was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
The United States Supreme Court decided against NSPE, allowing the submittal of competitive bids by members thereafter.
[8] NSPE has founded and works closely with a number of nonprofit organizations and outreach-based activities.