The Nassau Chapter of the NYSSPE has its inception in the year 1929 when, during the month of January. President Charles E. Lapp, PE., convened the Chapter's first meeting. The Chapter has taken an active role in civic issues from the earliest years of its existence. In 1931, the Chapter formed a subcommittee to establish an awareness of Long Island's precious groundwater supply. This action lead to an area-wide study by the United States Geological Survey and legislation protecting the interest of communities affected by water supply projects that would have permitted the unrestrained diversion of water from the County. Throughout the years, the Chapter has also addressed other areas of concern including the installation of County-wide sanitary sewers between the 30s and 50s, the ongoing issue of eliminating the numerous Long Island Rail Road grade crossings, and in 1981, an Ad Hoc Committee was formed by the Chapter to study hazardous waste management on Long Island. In 1994, the Chapter initiated a $5,000 scholarship for local high school students interested in attending an accredited engineering school.

The New York State Society of Professional Engineers was formed in 1926 to fill the growing desire of engineers for an organized engineering group.  The years immediately following World War 1 found engineers in a lower economic and social status and several attempts to unionize failed.  The first organized endeavor in establishing a professional group took place in New York City where the Association of Engineers of New York was formed in the early 1920s.

By 1925, the Association grew to include engineers from the Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester.  During that time, it was decided to form a Society that was restricted to engineers who were licensed by the State. The newly-created Society distinguished itself from existing engineering societies, which drew their membership from one specialized field, by being a profession-wide engineering group.  On April 7, 1926, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers was born.