The architecture profession continues to grow along with a gradually recovering economy, based on the results of the 2014 Survey of Architectural Registration Boards, conducted by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
The 2014 survey of U.S. jurisdictions indicates that there are 107,581 architects in the United States, a 1.6 percent increase from 2013. The number of architects has grown 3.1 percent since 2011.
“Our survey documents an architecture profession that is thriving,” said Michael J. Armstrong, CEO of NCARB. “NCARB will continue to spearhead changes in architectural licensing standards to support a growing architecture industry.”
Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data also points to growing opportunities for architects in the American economy. Architectural and engineering services added 5,000 new jobs in September and 2,900 new jobs in October.
All states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands require individuals to be licensed (registered) before they may call themselves architects or contract to provide architectural services. Data collected for the fall 2014 Survey of Registration Boards are from all 54 U.S. jurisdictions and reflect registration levels from July 2013 through June 2014.
To become licensed, most jurisdictions require a professional degree in architecture and completion of an internship program. NCARB’s Intern Development Program (IDP) is a comprehensive program to provide interns with the knowledge and skills needed to practice architecture. All jurisdictions require completion of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Most states also require continuing education to maintain a license.
NCARB assists registration boards by leading the development and application of licensing standards and the credentialing of architects. The NCARB Certificate program is a program that allows architects to expedite reciprocity – the ability to offer architectural services in different jurisdictions after earning an initial license.
As part of the survey report, NCARB also compiles its own data on the number of reciprocal licenses earned each year, reporting 119,200 reciprocal licenses in 2014. That is down slightly—about 2 percent—from the previous year. “As the economy improves, NCARB suspects that many architects are finding new projects close to home without having to go to other jurisdictions,” Armstrong said. “We’ll keep an eye on this indicator as the economy moves forward.”
In total, the NCARB 2014 Survey reports that the 107,581 architects hold 226,181 licenses nationally. California reported the highest number of resident architects, at 16,618 total professionals, as well as the highest number of total registrations (resident plus reciprocal licenses) at 20,595.
Related Stories
| Feb 1, 2012
Two new research buildings dedicated at the University of South Carolina
The two buildings add 208,000 square feet of collaborative research space to the campus.
| Feb 1, 2012
List of Top 10 States for LEED Green Buildings released?
USGBC releases list of top U.S. states for LEED-certified projects in 2011.
| Feb 1, 2012
ULI and Greenprint Foundation create ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance
Member-to-member information exchange measures energy use, carbon footprint of commercial portfolios.
| Feb 1, 2012
AEC mergers and acquisitions up in 2011, expected to surge in 2012
Morrissey Goodale tracked 171 domestic M&A deals, representing a 12.5% increase over 2010 and a return to levels not seen since 2007.
| Jan 31, 2012
AIA CONTINUING EDUCATION: Reroofing primer, in-depth advice from the experts
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Jan 31, 2012
28th Annual Reconstruction Awards: Modern day reconstruction plays out
A savvy Building Team reconstructs a Boston landmark into a multiuse masterpiece for Suffolk University.
| Jan 31, 2012
Chapman Construction/Design: ‘Sustainability is part of everything we do’
Chapman Construction/Design builds a working culture around sustainability—for its clients, and for its employees.
| Jan 31, 2012
Fusion Facilities: 8 reasons to consolidate multiple functions under one roof
‘Fusing’ multiple functions into a single building can make it greater than the sum of its parts. The first in a series on the design and construction of university facilities.
| Jan 31, 2012
Suffolk Construction to manage Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Cancer Center project in Waterford, Conn.
Leading construction management firm overseeing one of first healthcare projects in the country to utilize innovative IPD process.
| Jan 31, 2012
Perkins Eastman’s Miller appointed Chairman of the AIA International Committee
International expertise leveraged as global industry resource.