Formed on May 1, 1997, NPSTC is a federation of associations representing public safety telecommunications. NPSTC was originally formed to encourage and facilitate implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee (PSWAC), established in 1994 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to evaluate the wireless communications needs of local, tribal, State, and Federal public safety agencies through the year 2010, identify problems, and recommend possible solutions.

NPSTC has since taken on additional responsibilities including implementing the recommendations of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) and the support and development of the Computer Assisted Pre-coordination and Resource Database System (CAPRAD) for 700 MHz spectrum to assist the Regional Planning Committees (RPCs). NPSTC develops and makes recommendations to appropriate governmental bodies regarding public safety communications issues and policies that promote greater interoperability and cooperation between Federal, State and local agencies. Issues include: 4.9 GHz, Software Defined Radio (SDR), US/Canadian/DTV Transition, Project MESA, Spectrum Resources, Amateur Radio (ARRL), 800 MHz rebanding, State Interoperability Executive Committees (SIECs) Broadband, and the International Telecommunications Union.