The latest edition of NCARB’s annual data publication, NCARB by the Numbers, is now available! Focusing on data from the 2024 calendar year, this year’s publication provides an inside look at recent trends along the path to licensure and beyond—including several key updates related to the impact of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Explore the 2025 NCARB by the Numbers
In 2024, the licensure candidate pipeline fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 40,000 candidates actively working to become architects. The average time to licensure also fell below the 13-year mark for the first time since 2016.
The overall population of architects has declined as the baby boomer generation has begun to retire. However, architects across the U.S. are demonstrating increased interest in reciprocal licensure, with over 51,000 architects holding the NCARB Certificate.
New in this year’s edition, you’ll find an expanded look at new architects’ educational backgrounds and their impact on experience and examination program progress. Additionally, we’ve included key takeaways from a recent NCARB survey exploring the impact of COVID-19 on licensure candidates.
Behind the scenes, our data is informing even more comprehensive changes to the licensure process as NCARB seeks to reimagine the path to becoming an architect through our Pathways to Practice initiative.
Learn more about trends on the path to licensure in the 2025 edition of NCARB by the Numbers.
