What is NIULPE, Inc.?
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.
NIULPE's system pinpoints a person's
expertise and education into a stated level of competency. Operating personnel
can be classed into six grades of license: Chief engineer, first class engineer,
second class engineer, third class engineer, fourth class engineer, and fifth
class engineer.
The NIULPE National Board is an assessing
agency to licensing agencies. The program is open to anyone in the profession.
The NIULPE National Board is a non-profit corporation consisting of Officers and
a Board of Directors. membership is limited to the Chief Examiner or Chairman
of every licensing agency operating under the rules of NIULPE.
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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.
