Number of architects rose last year, but long-term decline predicted

The number of licensed architects in the United States increased by 6% in 2025, reaching just over 123,000, according to NCARB’s annual Survey of Architectural Registration Boards. The latest figure marks a recovery from 2024, when the total number of architects fell below 120,000.

New York holds the largest number of architect licenses in the country, with 22068 license holders, including resident and reciprocal. California is second with 20,262, with Texas in third with 17,162. The Northern Mariana Islands have the fewest number of architects, at 33, only 4 of whom are resident.

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NCARB noted when releasing the figures that year-to-year fluctuations are common due to differences in how licensing boards report residential and reciprocal licenses and process renewals. The association also notes that 3,500 new architects gained a license last year, ...