NPC was established as a charitable organisation in 1985, when the then Minister for Education, Gemma Hussey TD sent a Circular (7/85) to school boards, seeking the establishment of a parent association in every school, and setting the election process for the first National Parents Council in motion. Following elections, organised by the Inspectorate throughout the country, the elected parents met in Coláiste Mhuire, Parnell Square. This first adhoc executive set about developing a constitution. At a meeting in Dublin on the 9 February 1986, National Parents Council was formally constituted. National Parents Council opened its first office in Hogan House, Dublin on the 6 November 1986. It received statutory recognition in the Education Act 1998.

In December 2022, the Department of Education formally requested the organisation to extend its remit and support to parents of children in secondary school.