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
| Apr 8, 2013
Most daylight harvesting schemes fall short of performance goals, says study
Analysis of daylighting control systems in 20 office and public spaces shows that while the automatic daylighting harvesting schemes are helping to reduce lighting energy, most are not achieving optimal performance, according to a new study by the Energy Center of Wisconsin.
| Apr 6, 2013
Lord, Aeck & Sargent and Urban Collage merge
In a move that brings full-service planning expertise to its already well-established architecture practice, Lord, Aeck & Sargent (LAS) has merged with Urban Collage (UC), one of the largest urban and campus planning and design firms in the Southeast. Combining these firms’ talents was made official today. UC plans to retain its name for the foreseeable future.
| Apr 6, 2013
First look: GlaxoSmithKline's double LEED Platinum office
GlaxoSmithKline and Liberty Property Trust/Synterra Partners transform the work environment with the opening of Five Crescent Drive
| Apr 5, 2013
Bangkok gets a leaning tower, that may topple
A seven-story apartment tower under construction in Bangkok has started to tilt and is on the verge of toppling.
| Apr 5, 2013
Snøhetta design creates groundbreaking high-tech library for NCSU
The new Hunt Library at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, incorporates advanced building features, including a five-story robotic bookBot automatic retrieval system that holds 2 million volumes in reduced space.
| Apr 5, 2013
'My BIM journey' – 6 lessons from a BIM/VDC expert
Gensler's Jared Krieger offers important tips and advice for managing complex BIM/VDC-driven projects.
| Apr 5, 2013
Commercial greenhouse will top new Whole Foods store in Brooklyn
Whole Foods and partner Gotham Greens will create a 20,000-sf greenhouse atop one of the retailer's Brooklyn supermarkets. Expected to open this fall, the facility will supply produce to nine Whole Foods stores in metro New York City.
| Apr 5, 2013
Projected cost for Apple's Campus 2 balloons to $5 billion
Campus 2, Apple Inc.'s proposed ring-shaped office facility in Cupertino, Calif., could cost $5 billion to build, according to a report by Bloomberg.
| Apr 5, 2013
Extreme LEGO: Wondrous micro city built out of 200,000 blocks
Master LEGO builder Mike Doyle unveils his latest creation, an out-of-this-world micro city that celebrates peaceful alien contact.
| Apr 3, 2013
AIA CES class: Sealant repairs that last – hybrid sealants for building restoration
It is hard to talk about restoration without talking about sustainability. This two-hour interactive online course discusses the role that restoration can and does play in the arena of sustainability, and specifically the role that sealants play in sustainable design and repair.
