Why Only 3 Percent of Architects Are Under 30: And What That Really Means
When you’re in architecture school or starting your career, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly behind. Maybe your friends in other fields are finishing grad school, earning six-figure salaries, or climbing the ladder in their industries while you’re still logging AXP hours, studying for exams, or surviving on studio critiques.
Here’s a number that puts it in perspective: Based on the 2025 NCARB By The Numbers Report, only about 3% of licensed architects are under the age of 30.
At first glance, that might feel discouraging. But in reality, it’s proof of how long and complex the path to becoming an architect truly is and why not being licensed yet doesn’t mean you’re falling behind.
Why the Numbers Are So Low
Architecture has one of the longest professional pipelines of any field. Think about it:
Education takes years. Most architects complete a 5-year B.Arch or a 4+2 M.Arch program. That’s already longer than many undergraduate degrees.
Internship hours are extensive. The Architectural Experience Program (AXP) requires thousands of hours across categories which can take years to complete.
Licensure exams aren’t quick. The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) is a multi-part test that requires time, preparation, and often multiple attempts.
By the time many architects complete all of these requirements, they’re well into their 30s, which explains why so few are licensed any earlier.
What This Means If You’re a Student or Emerging Designer
The 3% statistic isn’t meant to scare you. It’s meant to remind you that architecture is a marathon, not a sprint. You’re not “behind” if you’re still in school at 24, or if you’re interning at 27, or even if you don’t take your exams until your 30s.
Architecture is designed to take time. It’s a profession built on persistence, experience, and growth, not speed.
Redefining Success in Architecture
Instead of measuring yourself against a milestone like licensure, try reframing success:
Did you finish a challenging studio project? That’s growth.
Did you learn a new software or detail in your internship? That’s progress.
Did you make a connection with a mentor or collaborator? That’s building your future.
Licensure is important, but it’s not the only measure of success. You’re building a career brick by brick and every skill, every experience, and every setback adds to the foundation.
Why Young Designers Still Matter
Just because you’re not licensed yet doesn’t mean you’re not shaping the profession. In fact, young designers bring some of the most important contributions to the table:
Fresh ideas informed by new technologies and global perspectives
Passion for issues like sustainability, equity, and social impact
Adaptability in navigating new tools, platforms, and cultural shifts
Being part of the 97% who aren’t licensed under 30 doesn’t make you less valuable, it makes you part of the majority who are learning, growing, and finding their place in the profession.
Your Path, Your Pace
Architecture is demanding, and the journey to licensure is long. But the statistic that only 3% of architects are under 30 should be a reminder, not a weight: you are not behind.
Everyone’s path looks different. Some will license early, some later. Some will pivot, teach, or explore other creative outlets along the way. The timeline doesn’t diminish your passion, your talent, or your impact.
Stay curious. Stay persistent. And remember: whether you’re licensed at 28 or 38, the work you put in along the way is what truly defines your career.
If you’re on the journey to licensure, what’s been the hardest part so far and what keeps you going? Share your story in the comments or send me a message. Your path might be the encouragement another future architect needs.
