Best and Worst States to Practice Architecture

Despite attempts by NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) to standardize, homogenize and socialize architectural licensing requirements among the States, for the time being each State still has the right and obligation to set its own requirements for engaging in the practice of architecture.

In this regard, all States are not created equal. Some are more hostile to the architectural community than others. This “hostility” takes form in the application of regulative barriers set up by the governing board of architects that increase the cost & desirability of practicing architecture.

It is important to know which States are at the head of the game – in terms of hostility towards architects. So I have created a “Hostility Index” comprised of 7 different metrics which analyze and rate the barriers that States apply to our profession. These barriers include initial registration requirements, continuing education requirements, fees and penalties.

Since the practice of architecture doesn’t exist in a vacuum of business dynamics, I have applied these metrics to the “America’s Top States for Business – 2011” data conducted by CNBC. This data is developed with input from business groups including the National Association of Manufacturers and the Council on Competitiveness.  The study ranks each State in 10 different metrics that include the Cost of Doing Business; Workforce; Quality of Life; Economy; Transportation; Technology; Education; Business Friendliness; Access to Capital & the Cost of Living.

The result is “America’s Top States for Practicing Architecture”.

The Top 5 Best States to Practice Architecture

1.  Colorado – Hostility Index = 16
2. Virginia – Hostility Index = 24
3. Georgia – Hostility Index = 27
4. Pennsylvania – Hostility Index = 27
5. Arizona – Hostility Index = 29

The Top 5 Worst States to Practice Architecture

46. Delaware – Hostility Index = 93
47. Alaska – Hostility Index = 96
48. Mississippi – Hostility Index = 100
49. Arkansas – Hostility Index = 100
50. New Mexico – Hostility Index = 110

The results of the “Hostility Index” when applied to the Top States for Business model yield some interesting results. For example: Texas, which comes in 2^nd on the CNBC list of best States for business, drops to 19^th on the Best States for Architecture list while Arizona, which ranks 24^th on the CNBC list, jumps up to 5^th when associated to the architectural industry. On the flip side, Arkansas which is in the middle of the CNBC pack at 33^rd, drops all the way down to 49^th.

These results validate the methodology used because a State that is good for business in a general environment, may not necessarily be good for architects due to the particulars of regulation in that industry. Conversely a State that may have a poor business environment generally, may be enhanced by a more hands off approach to regulation.

Of course, combining a poor business model State with aggressive and hostile regulation, as we see in the case of New Mexico  (a State that ranked 43^rd in the CNBC model ) will result in a disastrous ranking for the architectural profession:  50^th

Below is the complete ranking list of the Best & Worst Places to Practice Architecture.

Rank (Best to Worst)| State | Hostility Index

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Posted by The Critical Architect on March 31, 2012. Filed under Breaking News, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry