Women in Architecture: 2025 By the Numbers
What NCARB’s latest data reveals about progress in the profession
Every year, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) releases data that gives insight into the state of the architecture profession.
Their 2025 report offers an important snapshot of where the industry stands today, particularly when it comes to women entering and advancing through the licensure pipeline.
For a profession that has historically struggled with gender imbalance, the numbers tell an encouraging story of progress. But they also remind us that the work isn’t finished.
As we recognize International Women’s Day, it’s worth taking a closer look at what the data reveals about the evolving role of women in architecture.
Women Are Leading the Next Generation of Licensure Candidates
According to NCARB’s 2025 data, women now represent the majority of new record holders, making up 51% of individuals establishing an NCARB Record.
The NCARB Record is an important milestone in the licensure journey. It tracks education, experience, and examination progress for candidates pursuing architectural licensure.
Reaching majority representation here signals that more women are entering the professional pipeline than ever before. This shift reflects broader changes happening within architecture education and early career development, where women now represent a growing portion of architecture graduates and emerging professionals.
Women Are Gaining Professional Experience
Women also represent 52% of candidates reporting professional experience, according to the report.
This means women are not only entering the profession in greater numbers, they are also actively progressing through the early stages of their careers.
The early years of practice can often be the most challenging. Many young professionals balance long hours, steep learning curves, and the pressure of gaining the experience required to advance toward licensure. Seeing women maintain strong representation during this stage signals continued momentum within the profession.
The Licensure Pipeline Still Shows a Gap
While representation is strong in the early stages of the pipeline, the numbers begin to shift slightly as candidates move closer to licensure.
According to the report:
47% of candidates taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) are women
46% of candidates completing the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) are women
42% of candidates completing the ARE are women
This drop-off illustrates a challenge that has existed in the profession for decades. While many women enter architecture and begin the licensure process, fewer ultimately reach the final stages of licensure compared to their male counterparts.
There are many factors that may contribute to this shift, including career interruptions, firm support structures, mentorship opportunities, and the demands of balancing work and personal responsibilities.
Understanding these trends helps the profession identify where more support may be needed.
A More Inclusive Profession Is Emerging
Another notable data point from the report highlights the evolving diversity of the profession. As conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion continue to grow across the profession, these data points help highlight the importance of building environments where all emerging professionals feel supported in pursuing licensure and leadership roles.
Progress Worth Celebrating
Architecture has not always been an easy profession for women to enter or advance within. For much of the profession’s history, women represented only a small percentage of licensed architects. Leadership roles within firms were even more limited. But the data emerging today shows that the profession is evolving.
Women are entering architecture in greater numbers. They are gaining experience, pursuing licensure, and shaping the next generation of design leadership. Progress like this doesn’t happen overnight. It is the result of decades of advocacy, mentorship, and the work of countless women who pushed the profession forward.
Looking Ahead
While the numbers show encouraging progress, they also highlight areas where the profession can continue improving.
Supporting women throughout the entire licensure journey, from education to leadership, remains an important priority. Architecture is ultimately about shaping the environments where people live, work, and gather.
The profession is strongest when the voices shaping those environments reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
Celebrating Women in Architecture
This International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognize the women who are shaping the profession today, and those who will lead it in the future.
From students just beginning their architectural education to experienced professionals leading complex projects around the world, women are playing an increasingly important role in defining the future of architecture.
And if the latest numbers are any indication, the next generation of architects will be more diverse, inclusive, and representative than ever before.
The Future of Architecture is You.
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