There are currently 110,168 architects in the United States, according to the 2015 Survey of Architectural Registration Boards.
This marks the fourth consecutive year of growth and a 2% increase from 2014. Conducted annually by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the survey, combined with other key indicators, suggests the profession is healthy and growing.
The number of professionals working toward licensure reached an all-time high in 2015, with more than 41,500 candidates either taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and/or reporting experience hours. This data, which will be available in July’s 2016 edition of NCARB by the Numbers, points to a growing interest among the next generation to become an architect.
“While there are a variety of factors that contribute to the health of the profession, these two trends point to a bright future,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong. “As a record number of candidates work toward licensure, NCARB will continue to ensure our programs remain modern and inclusive, yet rigorous.”
The survey also reveals U.S. architects hold 122,579 (out-of-state) licenses, a 3% increase from 2014.
“As the economy improves, architects may be expanding their businesses across state lines,” said Armstrong. “We’ve also seen a growth in the number of architects who hold an NCARB Certificate, which facilitates reciprocal licensure.”
NCARB collects data on resident and reciprocal licenses from its 54 Member Boards, which includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The survey reflects registration data from January to December 2015.
To learn more about the Survey of Architectural Registration Boards, visit www.ncarb.org.
Related Stories
| Feb 28, 2014
Six finalists selected in design competition for Canadian Holocaust monument
David Adjaye and Daniel Libeskind are among the finalists for the National Holocaust Monument, planned near the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
| Feb 27, 2014
Gensler reveals 44 design trends for the next decade
The 82-page report covers dozens of emerging trends in healthcare, commercial office, hospitality, tall buildings, and more.
| Feb 27, 2014
Target converts former prison dump into latest big-box store
Target's new San Rafael, Calif., location was built on the site of the former San Quentin prison dump.
| Feb 27, 2014
Open or private offices? It depends on the business plan
Open layouts are grabbing headlines as a hallmark of the new workplace—think the Google campus or Facebook's headquarters. And for smaller-scale operations, open designs are often lauded for being less expensive than private office plans. But does that mean all offices should have an open layout?
| Feb 27, 2014
3 reasons to apply computational fluid dynamics on your next project
From right-sizing mechanical systems to understanding the impact of design alternatives, CFD offers a host of benefits for the Building Team.
| Feb 27, 2014
12 facts about heat-treated glass: Why stronger isn’t always better
Glass is heat-treated for two reasons: the first is to increase its strength to resist external stresses such as wind and snow loads, or thermal loads caused by the sun’s energy. The second is to temper glass so that it meets safety glazing requirements defined by applicable codes or federal standards.
| Feb 27, 2014
Metal Construction Association introduces two Environmental Product Declarations
Two Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), one for Metal Composite Material Panels and one for Roll Formed Steel Panels for Roofs and Walls, are now available free of charge from the Metal Construction Association (MCA) on its website.
| Feb 27, 2014
Bluebeam Software launches Revu 12 for better field-ready document management and project collaboration
The latest version of the company’s flagship solution better enables users in document-intensive industries to digitally collaborate on project documents and more easily connect the office to the field.
| Feb 27, 2014
PocketCake lunches CPU designed for virtual reality simulations
The company's Virtual Reality Simulation Converter Assembly is three times more powerful than the average high-performance computer and allows for up to eight people to experience a virtual reality simulation at the same time.
| Feb 26, 2014
Adaptive reuse project brings school into historic paper mill
The project features nontraditional classrooms for collaborative learning, an arts and music wing, and a technologically sophisticated global resource center.
