Washington, DC— The number of U.S. architects fell by 4% to just over 116,000 in 2024, according to the National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s (NCARB) annual Survey of Architectural Registration Boards, the first significant drop in several 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.

Conducted each year by 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. 

NCARB’s data shows that a significant proportion of the U.S. architect population—approximately 13%—are over the age of 65. As these individuals begin to retire, the number of architects might continue to fall over the next several years. Despite 2024’s decrease in the number of practitioners, other areas of the licensure pipeline remain strong. The population of individuals pursuing licensure rose by 5%, and the number of reciprocal (out-of-state) licenses rose by 6%. Together, these factors indicate that while the profession’s generational makeup may be shifting, the architecture pipeline remains healthy.

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

** Ratio of in-state vs. out-of-state licenses estimated based on prior years' California 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, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.