The national society was formed in 1968, and the Cal Poly, Pomona chapter was founded in 1969.
Membership is open to anyone interested in physics.
Currently there are approximately 600 active chapters nationally embracing about 6000 student members. Students also become individual members of the American Institute of Physics. This makes all services of the AIP available to SPS members either at a greatly reduced cost or for free. Cal Poly, Pomona is located within zone 18 . This zone encompasses Nevada, California, Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines.