Questions & answers
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Questions & answers
What is the patent bar exam?
The USPTO's Examination for Registration to Practice in Patent Cases, which patent agents and patent attorneys must pass to practice before the USPTO.
When is the patent bar exam offered?
Year-round at Prometric test centers, within the scheduling window stated in your USPTO notice of admission.
How hard is the patent bar exam?
The USPTO overall pass rate averaged 47% from 2012 to 2025, per Wysebridge's analysis of USPTO annual reports.
How many questions do you need to get right on the patent bar?
70% of the 90 scored questions, which is 63.
How long is the patent bar exam?
Two three-hour sections, six hours of testing in total.
How long does it take to get approved for the patent bar?
A complete application is typically reviewed in about four weeks, per Wysebridge's application guide. Incomplete applications get 60 days to fix.
How much does it cost to retake the patent bar?
Another $565 in fees per attempt.
Are old patent bar exams still useful?
Yes for phrasing and MPEP navigation, but they predate the AIA, so some answers reflect superseded law.
What percentage of people pass the patent bar?
About 47% on average from 2012 to 2025, and 46% in FY2026, per Wysebridge's analysis of USPTO annual reports.