The 2025 edition of NCARB by the Numbers reveals a significant shift in the architectural profession: For the first time in several years, the number of licensed architects in the United States has declined. This comprehensive look at licensure data from 2024 provides insights into changing demographics within the profession and what these trends might mean for the future of architecture practice.
The total number of U.S. architects fell by 4% in 2024 to 116,000, marking the first significant drop in recent years. Since 2020, the number of architects has hovered close to 120,000; now, there are fewer licensed practitioners in the U.S. than there were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decrease likely signals the beginning of a generational shift as baby boomers (individuals born between 1946-1964)—who have long comprised a significant portion of the practitioner population—are beginning to retire from practice. However, architects who are over the age of 65 continue to make up nearly 13% of the total architect pool, suggesting many are choosing to remain active in the profession beyond traditional retirement age.
As the oldest baby boomers reach their 80s, NCARB anticipates the architect population may continue to fall over the next several years before stabilizing at a "new normal." 
While the total number of architects decreased, the number of out-of-state (or reciprocal) licenses reached an all-time high. The number of reciprocal licenses rose to over 150,000 in 2024, reflecting architects' need to expand their geographic reach to serve existing clients and pursue new opportunities.
While the overall number of reciprocal licenses has generally been trending upward, NCARB has historically seen a pattern of alternating increases and decreases from year to year. In this context, 2024’s growth is likely a part of this pattern as architects respond to ebbs and flows in client demand. If the total number of architects continues to decrease in future years, demand for reciprocal licenses may increase to make up for new gaps in the practitioner pool.
Despite the current decline in licensed practitioners, the data reveals encouraging trends for the profession's future. The number of candidates actively pursuing licensure rose by 5% to nearly 40,000—the highest number NCARB has recorded since 2018. Additionally, the average time to complete the path to licensure—including earning a degree, completing the experience program, and passing the exam—fell for the first time since the onset of COVID-19. Candidates earned their licenses in an average of 12.9 years in 2024, approximately 6 months faster than the previous year.
As the pandemic’s impact continues to fade, NCARB anticipates that candidates may continue to get licensed slightly faster over the next several years. However, other factors are at play when it comes to the average time to licensure. NCARB has been working to implement programmatic changes designed to make licensure more accessible, such as retiring the exam’s five-year rolling clock. By removing artificial time constraints on the path to licensure, these changes have the potential to increase the average time it takes to become an architect. That’s why we’re shifting our focus from time to licensure to flexibility—so that candidates can choose a pathway to practice that aligns with their goals, timeline, and experiences.
About NCARB by the Numbers
The findings in NCARB by the Numbers are pulled from NCARB’s database of nearly 126,000 licensure candidates and architects, making this annual report the most comprehensive source for licensure statistics.
Learn more about trends on the path to licensure in the 2025 edition of NCARB by the Numbers!
