Washington, DC –The number of architects licensed in the United States in 2022 dropped slightly when compared to 2021, while the number of architects with reciprocal (out-of-state) licenses rose by 6%, according to the annual Survey of Architectural Registration Boards. The drop from 121,600 architects in 2021 to 119,906 in 2022 represents about a 1% decrease.

Conducted each year by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the survey provides exclusive insights into data from the architectural licensing boards of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The approximately 1% decline in the number of architects licensed in 2022 is likely caused by continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in reciprocal licensures, however, is a positive sign for the profession, reflecting an increase in demand for professional mobility. Data from the 2023 NCARB by the Numbers, which will be released next month, showed a 9% increase in candidates actively working toward licensure in 2022, which suggests continued growth of the profession in the coming years.   

Jurisdiction Total Number of Architects Licensed in Your Jurisdiction Total Number of In-State Architects Licensed in Your Jurisdiction Total Number of Out-of-State Architects Licensed in Your Jurisdiction

Alabama

 3,250 852 2,398
Alaska 593 233 360
Arizona 6,422 2,345 4,097
Arkansas 1,997 561 1,436
California 22,210 17,695 4,515
Delaware* 1,765 831 934
District of Columbia*** 5,099 2,295 2,804
Florida 10,932 5,382 5,550
Georgia*** 5,183 2,332 2,851
Guam 101 28 73
Hawaii 2,334 970 1,364
Idaho 2,255 548 1,707
Illinois 9,237 5,562 3,675
Indiana 3,801 1,088 2,713
Iowa 2,331 632 1,699
Kansas 2,817 825 1,992
Kentucky 2,822 714 2,108
Louisiana 3,381 1,274 2,107
Maine 2,282 522 1,760
Maryland*** 6,607 2,973 3,634
Massachusetts 7,803 4,245 3,558
Michigan*** 5,818 2,618 3,200
Minnesota 3,675 1,989 1,686
Mississippi 1,812 367 1,445
Missouri 5,581 2,219 3,362
Montana 1,862 544 1,318
Nebraska 1,982 577 1,405
Nevada 2,814 524 2,290
New Hampshire 1,885 269 1,616
New Jersey 8,291 3,208 5,083
New Mexico 2,201 676 1,525
New York 21,043 11,776 9,267
North Carolina 7,052 2,813 4,239
North Dakota 1,283 184 1,099
Northern Mariana Islands 35 6 29
Ohio* 6,500 3,218 3,282
Oklahoma 2,680 835 1,845
Oregon 3,949 2,051 1,898
Pennsylvania 9,100 4,268 4,832
Puerto Rico** 1,153 1,059 94
Rhode Island 2,130 348 1,782
South Carolina 4,828 1,215 3,613
South Dakota 980 113 867
Tennessee 4,235 1,527 2,708
Texas 14,441 8,711 5,730
U.S. Virgin Islands 187 93 94
Utah 3,155 1,465 1,690
Vermont 1,273 323 950
Virginia 7,711 2,950 4,761
Washington 6,735 3,834 2,901
West Virginia 1,411 117 1,294
Wisconsin 11,701 2,836 8,865
Wyoming 1,285 133 1,152

*Data from 2022 survey

**Data from 2019 survey

***Ratio of in-state vs. out-of-state licenses estimated based on national data

About NCARB

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural licensing boards of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB, in collaboration with these boards, facilitates the licensure and credentialing of architects to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

To achieve these goals, NCARB works with its Member Boards and volunteers to develop and facilitate standards for licensure, including the national examination and experience program. NCARB also recommends regulatory guidelines for licensing boards and helps architects expand their professional reach through the NCARB Certificate. Connect with NCARB on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.