Newly licensed architects are a more diverse group than ever before—and the same is true for those in the profession who are on a path to licensure.

This is just one of the findings revealed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in the 2017 edition of NCARB by the Numbers, an annual publication that provides insights into the architecture profession using robust data collected by the organization.

Additional key findings from the 2017 NCARB by the Numbers include:

• Gender equity improved at every career stage for the first time since NCARB began collecting demographics data.
• In 2016, women accounted for 47 percent of new experience program participants and 42 percent of new licensing exam candidates.
• Racial and ethnic diversity is also increasing among licensure candidates, although at a slower pace.
• 42 percent of new experience program participants and 30 percent of new exam candidates identified as non-white.

“While several groups remain underrepresented, these trends point to growing diversity among licensure candidates, and eventually, future architects,” said NCARB President Kristine A. Harding, NCARB, AIA.