Welcome to the 2022 edition of NCARB by the Numbers!
With each edition of NCARB by the Numbers, our data analysis and presentation have evolved as we expand our capabilities and refresh our approach. Our goal, however, remains the same. Through this publication, we seek to present clear, reliable data that allows our readers to easily comprehend trends along the path to licensure. Even more importantly, we hope to enable the regulatory community to make informed decisions that proactively address today’s key challenges and opportunities.
Of the changes in this year’s report, worth noting is our updated sections on demographics. We’ve now enhanced our report to capture more accurately the complex, multi-dimensional nature of racial and ethnic identity. Additionally, we’ve expanded the charts in our “Demographics” and “Navigating the Path” sections to provide more detail on the individuals currently in the licensure pipeline, as well as those who’ve left it.
In 2021, our community continued to be impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the architecture profession grapples with the changes brought on by the pandemic, NCARB’s data shows that many key indicators of the overall health of the licensure pipeline are on the mend. The number of candidates starting the licensure process, completing the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), and becoming licensed all rebounded over the past year.
Also increasing is the overall diversity of the licensure candidate population. While growth in some areas remains slow, it is also steady, and more women and people of color are working toward licensure than ever before.
As we move toward the next iteration of our programs and services, NCARB will utilize the data in this report—along with findings from our joint Baseline on Belonging study conducted in partnership with the National Organization of Minority Architects and data from our ambitious Analysis of Practice study—to ensure the path to licensure remains rigorous, future-focused, and accessible.
Now in its eleventh edition, this year’s NCARB by the Numbers provides exclusive insights into key data shaping the architecture community. With the ongoing collaboration of our licensing boards, partner organizations, volunteers, and customers, we can continue to take advantage of the opportunities highlighted in this report and present solutions to the challenges. Together, we can go further.
Michael Armstrong
NCARB Chief Executive Officer