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.