NCARB BY THE NUMBERS 2025
Recently, NCARB released its annual “By the Numbers.” Today, we introduce you to NCARB by the Numbers.
https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025
As stated on the its website, the 2025 edition of NCARB by the Numbers, “the data reported in this publication was captured at the end of the 2024 calendar year, and much of the information gathered demonstrates growth and positive evolution: continued increases in the number of U.S.-licensed architects, higher demand for additional out-of-state licenses, increased diversity and gender parity at many career stages, and a slight decrease in the time it takes to earn an architecture license.”
More specifically, the data shared is on the following topics:
- State of Licensure
- Demographics
- Building Competency
- COVID 19 and AXP
- Examination
- Inside NCARB
- Jurisdictions
One of the first data points relates to the following:
The pool of candidates pursuing licensure continued to grow in 2024—but the pool of licensed architects fell. While the total number of U.S. architects saw a 4% decrease to 116,000, the number of reciprocal licenses rose to an all-time high of over 150,000.
The number of individuals actively working to become architects rose by 5% to more than 39,000. The number of newly licensed architects (typically between 9-10% of the active candidate pool) held steady at close to 3,600. However, those new architects completed the path to licensure faster than the previous year: On average, it took candidates 12.9 years to earn a license in 2024, approximately 6 months less than in 2023.
In 2024, there were 116,005 licensed architects across the 55 U.S. jurisdictions; this is a 4% decrease following last year’s minor increase. Those architects also held approximately 150,638 reciprocal (out-of-state) licenses—a -6% increase compared to 2024.
Now, here are some of the details from NCARB by the Numbers; for complete details, access the full report.
State of Licensure: https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025/state-of-licensure
The number of candidates actively pursuing licensure continued to rise in 2024. Nearly 40,000 candidates reported experience, took a division of the exam, or both in 2024. This is the highest number of active licensure candidates NCARB has seen since 2018, a sign that the pipeline of new architects is healthy and growing.
Demographics: https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025/demographics
NCARB has seen continued growth in gender equity and racial diversity across all licensure candidate stages, from creating an NCARB Record to completing the ARE, over the past 5 years. In 2024, racial and ethnic representation among candidates hit a record high, with nearly half (49%) of candidates identifying as a person of color. Additionally, 46% of licensure candidates are women, including 51% of new Record holders. As candidates progress along the licensure path, these increases are becoming more and more apparent in the profession.
Women make up 47% of the testing population and typically earn their licenses faster than men—completing requirements more than a year sooner on average. In 2024, 44% of candidates completing the AXP and 33% of candidates completing the ARE identified as a person of color.
Building Competency: https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025/building-competency
Most candidates develop these competencies through a combination of education and experience. Typically, candidates earn a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and complete the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®). However, 11% of new architects in 2024—approximately 400 practitioners—chose to earn additional experience in lieu of earning a degree from a NAAB-accredited program.
COVID 19 & AXP: https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025/covid-19-axp
Since 2020, NCARB has been closely monitoring the pandemic’s ongoing impact on candidates navigating the path to licensure. In September 2024, NCARB launched a survey designed to better understand how candidates were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 2,300 candidates and architects licensed within the past 3 years completed the survey and shared their experiences in architecture from February 2020 through the present day. Of those who were navigating the experience program at the time of the survey, nearly 39% are now AXP complete, and 31% are more than halfway done with the program.
Examination: https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025/examination
NCARB’s Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) is a 6-part exam required to become an architect in the United States. For most candidates, taking the ARE is the final step on the path to licensure.
In 2024, the exam saw an increase in candidates testing, but a decrease in exam pass rates. Over 5,800 candidates started the ARE in 2024, a 15% increase compared to the prior year. However, the number of candidates completing the exam held steady at just over 3,500. This stability aligns with the decrease in pass rates, which fell by 3 percentage points to 55%. In addition, the average time to complete the program fell by 2 months, with candidates now taking 2.3 years to pass all 6 divisions.
Inside NCARB: https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025/inside-ncarb
NCARB’s community continued growing in 2024, with over 126,800 Record holders, more than 350 volunteers, and over 450 licensing board members. Our volunteer community—made up of architects, licensure candidates, educators, and experts from other professions—worked together across 20 committees to develop resources for licensing boards, explore challenges in the field of architecture, and more.
Jurisdiction: https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025/jurisdictions
View baseline comparisons for NCARB’s 55 Member Boards, which include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. When you select a jurisdiction, you will find a 2024 snapshot of the jurisdiction’s licensure candidate activity, exam pass rate, number of architects, and reciprocity data..
Source: NCARB by the Numbers – https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2025