Pandemic Pause: How COVID Changed the Architect's Journey

How did the COVID-19 pandemic reshape the journey to becoming a licensed architect?In this episode of Inside NCARB by the Numbers, host Andy McIntyre investigates the long-tail impact of COVID-19 on the architectural licensure process—especially the Architectural Experience Program (AXP). Data reveals a rise in time to complete AXP, but it’s the personal stories that truly bring this shift to life.Austin Webster and Ann Hampton, took very different paths during the pandemic—one leveraging remote work and mentorship to accelerate progress, and the other juggling career, motherhood, and shifting exam formats. Alongside insights from Jenny Kawecki, Manager of Content Strategy at NCARB, this episode explores how firm culture, economic uncertainty, remote work, and resilience shaped the licensure journey.Whether you're a licensure candidate, mentor, or firm leader, this episode delivers valuable takeaways about supporting the next generation of architects during turbulent times.Explore more data on the number of licensed architects, gender and racial diversity, and exam pass rates in the 2024 NCARB by the Numbers