NCARB: Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Diversity Increases Among Emerging Professionals
Licensure candidates and new architects are more diverse than ever before, according to new data from the 2017 edition ofĀ NCARB by the Numbers. Released annually by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the publication provides exclusive insight into theĀ number of U.S. architects, the pool of candidates working toward licensure, and diversity in the profession.
Closing the Gender Gap
For the first time since NCARB began collecting demographics data, gender equity improved along every career stageāincluding gaining professional knowledge through theĀ Architectural Experience Programā¢Ā (AXPā¢), starting the Architect Registration ExaminationĀ® (AREĀ®), and earning a license.
In 2016, women accounted for 47 percent of new AXP participants and 42 percent of new ARE candidates. While women remain underrepresented among practitioners and NCARB Certificate holders, they now account for 36 percent of newly licensed architects, compared to 34 percent in the previous year. According to 2015 estimates from theĀ U.S. Census Bureau, women make up 51 percent of the U.S. population.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Racial and ethnic diversity is also increasing among licensure candidates, although at a slower pace.
In 2016, 42 percent of new AXP participants and 30 percent of new ARE candidates identified as non-whiteāup three percentage points for both groups. However, diversity among newly licensed architects and NCARB Certificate holders remained the same. For comparison, 38 percent of the U.S. population identifies as either non-white or Hispanic, according to 2015 estimates from theĀ U.S. Census Bureau.
āWhile several groups remain underrepresented within the profession, these trends point to growing diversity among licensure candidates, and eventually, future architects,ā said NCARB President Kristine A. Harding, NCARB, AIA. āIn response, NCARB will continue to ensure our programs balance inclusivity with the rigor needed to protect the public.ā
The full 2017 edition ofĀ NCARB by the NumbersĀ will be available in July. To learn more about NCARBās data, visit www.ncarb.org.
About NCARBĀ
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boardsā membership is made up of the architectural registration boards of all 50 states as well as those of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB assists its member registration boards in carrying out their duties and provides a certification program for individual architects.
NCARB protects the public health, safety, and welfare by leading the regulation of the practice of architecture through the development and application of standards for licensure and credentialing of architects. In orderĀ to achieve these goals, the Council develops and recommends standards to be required of an applicant for architectural registration; develops and recommends standards regulating the practice of architecture; provides to Member Boards a process for certifying the qualifications of an architect for registration; and represents the interests of Member Boards before public and private agencies. NCARB has established reciprocal registration for architects in the United States and Canada.