According to new data released by NCARB (the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards), the architectural profession is “healthy and growing.” The organization’s annual study of U.S. architects shows that the number of people studying, practicing and securing licensure in 2015 all increased, reflecting the robust state of the construction industry following years of fragility after the global financial crisis of 2008.
While the numbers in the report will be cause for optimism, 1 particular statistic remains a standout source of debate within the profession: On average, becoming an architect takes just over 13 years, from the time a student enrolls in school to the moment they receive a license. While the minimum time needed to complete university courses and the requisite professional experience is still around 8 years depending on course structure, many aspiring architects are spending long periods gaining additional work experience, building up their knowledge in advance of taking the ARE (Architect’s Registration Exam).
Graphics via NCARB
The average figure of 13.3 years actually means that 2015 is the seventh year running that the timeline to licensure has improved — back in 2008, the timeline to licensure stood at over 15 years — but it remains an incredibly drawn-out process for many. As with previous years, the statistic is sure to raise the same questions about perceived inefficiencies within architectural education and the financial burden placed upon those wishing to enter the profession.
Could there be a more efficient path to licensure?; image via Clickoo
NCARB picked out seven more key findings that, taken together, form a fascinating overview of the profession’s evolution over the past year:
1. In 2015, there were 110,168 architects in the United States — a 2-percent increase from 2014.
2. The number of professionals working toward licensure surpassed 41,500 in 2015 — an all-time high.
3. More than 7,000 new students enrolled in an accredited architecture program — a 7-percent increase from the 2013 – 2014 school year.
4. Nearly 4,900 professionals completed the experience requirement in 2015 — a 27-percent jump from 2014.
5. Almost 4,500 professionals completed the architecture licensing exam in 2015 — the highest number on record.
6. Sixty-two percent of licensure candidates overlap their experience and exams — the largest percentage to date.
7. The pool of professionals working toward licensure is more diverse than ever before, and one in three newly licensed architects are women.
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What do you make of the findings? Do these numbers make you feel positive or concerned for the future of the profession? Let us know in the comments below.
Top image: Yale School of Architecture; via Wikipedia
