How To Become a Registered Patent Agent

The United States Patent and Trademark Office requires anyone wishing to prepare, file or prosecute patent applications to be a registered patent agent. Patent agents do not need law degrees, but are required to have a bachelor's degree in a field recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. If you're interested in becoming a patent agent for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the path to reach your goal is a hard but straightforward one.

Things You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree
• Original copy of transcript with university seal
• Completed patent agent application form

Instructions

1. Receive a bachelor's degree in a field recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Recognized fields include Biology, Computer Science, Physics, Computer Engineering and many more. A complete list of recognized fields is available for viewing on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website. If you have a bachelor's degree in any of the fields listed you will be considered a Category A applicant.

2. Apply as a Category B or C applicant. If you do not have a bachelor's degree in any of the fields listed on the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but have a bachelor's degree in another technological field, you may qualify to apply as a Category B or C applicant. Category B or C applicants will either be required to complete more training or prove to the satisfaction of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline director that they have the necessary scientific and technical skills.

3. Review additional requirements to become a patent agent. In addition to having a bachelor's degree in a recognized field, patent agent applicants are required to be U.S. citizens or alien residents or foreigners in good standing. Applicants must also be in good moral standing, or if previously convicted of a felony, must show proof of rehabilitation and reform.

4. Study for your Patent Bar Exam. There are many tools available to aid in studying for your Patent Bar Exam. Previous Patent Bar Exams can be found online to help you prepare. You can also visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office website to find any additional information you'll need to help you get ready for your Patent Bar Exam.

5. Fill out the application for the Patent Bar Exam. The application can be found and printed from the United States Patent and Trademark Office website.

6. Call to schedule your Patent Bar Exam. Once you've studied and feel you're ready to take the Patent Bar Exam you'll need to call to make an appointment to take it. The Patent Bar Exam is given by Thomson Prometric. The exam can be given anytime nationwide, or is held in a physical location once a year. To schedule your Patent Bar Exam, call Thomson Prometric at 800-479-6369.

Tips & Warnings

• Before calling to schedule your appointment for the Patent Bar Exam, read over the patent agent requirements found on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website to make sure you haven't missed anything.

• Category B and C applications are judged on a case by case basis and applicants should be prepared for a longer wait to have their applications processed.

Resources

• United States Patent and Trademark Office