According to a preview of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) forthcoming 2017 edition of NCARB by the Numbers—an annual report detailing key demographics in the architecture profession—gender diversity improved in 2016. "Licensure candidates and new architects are more diverse than ever before," NCARB announced today in a press release. "[Women] now account for 36 percent of newly licensed architects, compared to 34 percent in the previous year."
NCARB also reported that, for the first time since the licensing body started collecting demographics data, gender equity has improved at every career stage—meaning the percentage of participating women has increased in each NCARB program since 2015.
However, the number of newly licensed architects and NCARB Certification holders who identity as non-white remained the same as in 2015.
“While several groups remain underrepresented within the profession, these trends point to growing diversity among licensure candidates, and eventually, future architects,” said NCARB president, Kristine Harding, AIA, in the release. “In response, NCARB will continue to ensure our programs balance inclusivity with the rigor needed to protect the public.”
The full edition of NCARB by the Numbers will be available in July.
