The National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP®) was incorporated in Virginia as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association on January 22, 1996.  The organization was founded by 19 patent practitioners, mostly patent agents, who had an interest in forming an organization that is focused on procedure before the USPTO.

The NAPP had its first annual meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia in October 1996.  The annual meetings follow a seminar format with presentations directed toward patent prosecution practice.  Recently, an optional, one-day short course has been offered for patent practitioners having 0-2 years of experience.  The short course serves as an orientation program for the new practitioner.

The NAPP has several standing committees including: 
    Annual Meeting Committee
    Audit Committee
    External Relations/Government Affairs Committee
    Newsletter Committee
    Membership/Internet Committee
    Regional Chapters
    Planning Committee.

The NAPP supports its members by disseminating information via its newsletter: The Disclosure®, its website, and its two e-mail discussion forums: the General Discussion Forum and the Patent Practice Forum™.  The General Discussion Forum provides a forum for members to discuss a variety of issues from member-to-member referrals to Patent Law Reform.  The Patent Practice Forum™ is focused strictly on patent practice issues and allows for an on-going daily discussion between members on issues related to practice before the USPTO, PCT Practice and Foreign patent practice.

The current focus of the NAPP is to foster professionalism in the patent practitioner community and to aid patent agents and patent attorneys in staying current in matters relating to practice before the USPTO.