NCARB has released new data which found that the number of architects licensed in the United States has slightly declined. In 2022, the profession held 119,906 licensed architects while in 2021, the number was 121,600, representing a decline of approximately 1%. Meanwhile, the number of architects with reciprocal (out-of-state) licenses rose by 6%.

The data is derived from NCARB’s annual Survey of Architectural Registration Boards, which provides insights into licensing across 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," NCARB said about the data. "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."

Across all jurisdictions, California contains the highest number of architects licensed to practice in the state at 22,210, with 17,695 in-state licenses and 4,515 out-of-state architects licensed to practice there. The second-highest jurisdiction is New York, with 21,043 licenses broken down into 11,776 in-state licenses and 9,267 out-of-state architects licensed for the state. 

The lowest numbers on the list come from the Northern Mariana Islands, with 35 total licenses broken down into 6 in-state licenses and 29 out-of-state licenses.

The figures come months after NCARB retired its rolling clock policy for the ARE 5.0, citing equity concerns. Also in 2023, the body signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement with ARB affecting architects in the United Sates and the United Kingdom. In 2022, meanwhile, a recent study conducted by NCARB and NOMA found that almost one-third of architecture employees have faced or witnessed discrimination.