Local units of the BLET are known as Divisions. Each Division elects five primary local officers — President, Vice President, Local Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer and Legislative Representative — each serving three-year terms. The BLET is comprised of approximately 500 Divisions.

All the Local Chairmen on a particular railroad constitute the BLET General Committee of Adjustment on that system; this General Committee is autonomous and responsible for negotiating, making, interpreting and enforcing contracts between engineers and their railroad. Larger railroad systems may have more than one General Committee and General Chairman.

All the Legislative Representatives for Divisions within a state comprise the State Legislative Board. These Legislative Boards are responsible for educating legislators, policy makers and the public about the impacts of regulations and laws on transportation and public safety.

At the National Division, officers include the President, First Vice-President, National Secretary-Treasurer and eight Vice Presidents, who assist and offer resources to General Committees, State Legislative Boards and Local Divisions. National Division officers are elected to four-year terms.

One Vice President serves as the BLET's National Legislative Representative, administering the BLET's National Legislative Office on behalf of the National Legislative Board. Located in Washington D.C., the National Legislative Office also handles the federal legislative, regulatory and political activities of the BLET and coordinates the efforts of its various State Legislative Boards.

The BLET is governed by its Bylaws, which are set by delegates in session at convention once every four years. Convention delegates are elected by local BLET Division members. National Division officers are elected once every four years by a majority vote of all active members.