Spotlight: An Alternate Path to Architecture Licensure

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Spotlight: An Alternate Path to Architecture Licensure 

Parker Sorensen Headshot

At Sparkflight Studios, we celebrate the unique journeys our team members take to grow as professionals. Today we’re proud to highlight one of our interns, Parker Sorensen, who is carving out his own pathway toward becoming a licensed architect. 

Having spent a lot of time with family in Washington, he was inspired early on by his two grandfathers, both engineers, whose careers sparked his interest in design and problem-solving. That family influence planted the seed for his own path in architecture, and now, as he completes his bachelor’s degree, he’s mapping out the next steps toward licensure. 

Instead of pursuing a traditional master’s program, he has chosen the apprenticeship route through the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), formerly the Intern Development Program (IDP). This decision allows him to balance work and school while focusing his energy on what matters most to him: hands-on learning in real-world practice. 

For Parker, working alongside licensed architects offers immediate opportunities to apply classroom knowledge, gain practical skills, and deepen his understanding of the profession. His goal is to earn licensure in the state of Washington, carrying forward the engineering legacy of his family while making his own mark as an architect. 

When asked what he thinks will change once he earns his license, he answered with a laugh: “A pay raise and a big weight off my shoulders.” 

This pathway is fully supported by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), which, in its Pathways to Practice statement, endorses multiple routes to licensure. By recognizing both academic and apprenticeship-based models, NCARB ensures that the profession remains accessible, flexible, and inclusive. 

At Sparkflight Studios, we are honored to be part of his journey. Supporting emerging professionals as they define their path enriches our practice and strengthens the communities we serve. 

 

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