Supporting our future architects is becoming more important as NCARB by the Numbers 2023 reported a historically low number of new architects since the pandemic's onset. This lead to a decline in the overall number of licensed architects in the U.S. Firms can help to combat this by implementing support systems that incentivizes and encourages candidates to complete their license.  

 ARE 

NCARB and NOMA’s Baseline on Belonging report tells us that 70% of firms do offer support towards the cost of exams. The report also confirms candidates who receive financial support are more likely to complete their path to licensure than their peers who don't. There are a few additional ways to offer financial support. Firms could offer to reimburse for all testing attempts, pass or fail. Pass rates for 2/3 of the exams are 55% or less so retakes are inherently inevitable. This motivates candidates to keep pressing on after getting negative results. In addition to covering the cost of exams firms can pay to start and renew candidates NCARB Records. Another form of financial compensation would be to allow candidates to test on company time and not require that they take their PTO. 

If your firm is unable to provide financial support consider providing a study materials library, setting up an empty office or conference room to be used for online proctoring, and giving recognition to candidates who pass exams. Recognition can have a positive impact on morale and create a firm culture that shows candidates that their efforts toward licensure is supported by management and their peers. 

AXP 

In a survey conducted by NCARB and NOMA only half of the candidates indicated that their firm was very supportive of their AXP progress. Firms can be more supportive by staying connected to candidates' progress. It was reported that only 20% of firms have monthly check-ins with candidates. Check-ins provide opportunities for dialogue on challenges so that supervisors can be more proactive in their roles. Candidates are more likely to log their hours in a timely fashion when they have scheduled check ins. 

Younger candidates report that Construction and Evaluation is the toughest area to gain experience in since most firms don't have junior staff running construction administration and it can be inefficient having multiple team members frequently driving to site visits. Help your candidates gain competency in this experience area by having them review engineers field reports, RFIs, and shop drawings. Video portions of a site visit and review it with the candidate back at the office. Hold lunch and learns about lessons learned in the field. 

 Firms need to be supporting licensure candidates. Decide what works for your firm and formalize a support system. Let candidates know what that support system is so that they can take advantage of it. Today’s licensure candidates represent the future of our profession and will soon be needed to fill important roles in our firms. It is up to all firms, large or small, to support their growth on the path to becoming an architect.