National Society of Professional Engineers
The National Society of Professional Engineers (abbreviate as NSPE) is a professional association representing licensed professional engineers in the United States. NSPE is the recognized voice and advocate of licensed Professional Engineers represented in 53 state and territorial societies and over 500 local chapters. The society is based in Alexandria, Virginia. History. The society was founded in 1934 as a nontechnical organization for licensed professional engineers. The bridge engineer David B. Steinman was its first president and one of the group of professional engineers that established it. NSPE published "Canons of Ethics for Engineers and  Rules of Professional Conduct" in 1946, which evolved to the current "Code of Ethics" adopted in 1964. The first fundamental canon is "Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public." In 1973, NSPE entered into an agreement with the Society of Women Engineers to support efforts to increase the number of women professional engineers. 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. NSPE countered with argument for exception under the Rule of Reason. The United States Supreme Court decided against NSPE, allowing the submittal of competitive bids by members thereafter. Partners. NSPE has founded and works closely with a number of nonprofit organizations and outreach-based activities.