The number of licensed architects in the U.S. increased by 3% to 113,554 in 2017. That’s 10% more than a decade ago, according to the latest annual survey by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), which has licensing boards in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
NCARB estimates that there is now one architect for every 2,900 people in the U.S.
The survey reveals that even though the number of reciprocal (i.e., out of state) licenses issued fell by 1% to 125,349, that’s still the second-highest number on record, and exceeded the number of resident licenses.
Last year, more than 5,200 candidates completed the education, experience, and examination requirements for licensure, another record by the Council's reckoning. These registration data “demonstrate that NCARB’s efforts to streamline the path to licensure and remove unnecessary barriers have been effective,” stated Michael J. Armstrong, NCARB’s CEO, in a prepared statement.
Earlier this year, NCARB launched a new Approved Test Prep Provider program, which allows companies to submit for review and approval study materials they've created for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) 5.0.
California has the highest number of licensed architects (16,445), followed by New York (11,104), Texas (8,182), Florida (5,330) and Massachusetts (4,849). New York has the greatest number of reciprocal licenses (7,885), followed by Florida (5,284), Pennsylvania (4,614), New Jersey (4,611), and Virginia (4,413).
Related Stories
| Feb 7, 2014
DOE, Autodesk team to overhaul the EnergyPlus simulation program
The update will allow a larger ecosystem of developers to contribute updates to the code in order to improve performance and decrease the time required to run energy model simulations.
| Feb 7, 2014
Meet the new Fellows: AIA elevates 143 to College of Fellows
The AIA College of Fellows is an honor awarded to members who have made significant contributions to the architectural profession.
| Feb 7, 2014
Bernards announces executive leadership realignment
Changes reflect long-term growth plans as builder enters its fifth decade.
| Feb 7, 2014
Zaha Hadid's 'white crystal' petroleum research center taking shape in the desert [slideshow]
Like a crystalline form still in the state of expansion, the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center will rise from the desert in dramatic fashion, with a network of bright-white, six-sided cells combining to form an angular, shell-like façade.
| Feb 6, 2014
First look: Gensler ups the ante on airport design with new SFO boarding area
The new terminal features a yoga room, award-winning arts program, and an interactive play area for kids.
| Feb 6, 2014
End of the open workplace?
If you’ve been following news about workplace design in the popular media, you might believe that the open workplace has run its course. While there’s no shortage of bad open-plan workplaces, there are two big flaws with the now common claim that openness is bad.
| Feb 6, 2014
New Hampshire metal building awes visitors
Visitors to the Keene Family YMCA in New Hampshire are often surprised by what they encounter. Liz Coppola calls it the “wow factor.” “Literally, there’s jaw dropping,” says Coppola, director of financial and program development for the Keene Family YMCA.
| Feb 5, 2014
M&A activity down in 2013 among architecture, engineering firms: Report
In 2013, consultant Morrissey Goodale observed 168 sales of U.S.-based architecture and engineering (“A/E”) firms – down nearly 7% from the record 180 sales of U.S.-based A/E firms in 2012.
| Feb 5, 2014
BIA Opens Entries for 25th Annual Brick in Architecture Awards
Entries open on February 10 for the Brick Industry Association's (BIA) Brick in Architecture Awards. Celebrating its silver anniversary, BIA's annual honors spotlight outstanding, innovative and sustainable architecture that incorporates clay brick products as the predominant exterior building or paving material.
| Feb 5, 2014
Multifamily Housing, Green Building, Market Trends, Innovation to be Prime Topics at MBI’s World of Modular
More than 600 developers, contractors, architects, builders, dealers and equipment/service suppliers are expected at the event, slated for March 21-24 in San Antonio, Texas, and hosted by the Modular Building Institute.
