Patent Bar Authority Guide ✓ Verified for MPEP Ninth Edition, Rev. 01.2024 (Nov 2024) Updated for 2026 Exam Window

Patent Bar Exam Dates & Scheduling (Prometric)

There are no fixed national Patent Bar Exam dates; the USPTO administers the computer-based exam year-round, 5 to 6 days a week, at Prometric testing centers nationwide during a personalized 90-day eligibility window granted after OED approves your application.

Key 2026 Takeaways at a Glance

✓ Unlike the July/February state bar exam, you can take the Patent Bar on almost any weekday or Saturday of the year.
✓ Once OED approves your application, your Authorization to Test letter gives you a strict 90-day window to take the exam.
✓ You can purchase a one-time 90-day extension of your testing window from the USPTO before your current window expires ($120 fee under 37 CFR 1.21(a)(1)(iv)).

Test Yourself Right Now • Zero Login Required

Practice MPEP 700 Examination Practice Questions (MPEP Rev. 01.2024 Cited)

Practice MPEP 700 Examination Practice Questions → 50 Free Questions

How the 90-Day Prometric Eligibility Window Works

Because the Patent Bar Exam is delivered on Demand via Prometric workstations, your testing timeline is controlled entirely by when you submit your OED application:

Stage	Timing	Action Required
1. Submit OED Application	Day 0	Upload transcripts + pay $110 + $210 on OED Applicant Portal
2. Receive OED Approval Letter	Day 14 – 28	Receive your 90-day Authorization to Test (ATT) window & Candidate ID
3. Book Seat at Prometric.com	Day 15 – 30	Pay $255 Prometric fee and pick any available date inside your 90-day window
4. Sit for Exam	Before Day 90 of ATT Window	Complete Morning (3 hr) and Afternoon (3 hr) sessions at Prometric

When Does the USPTO Change the MPEP Revision Tested on the Exam?

Whenever the USPTO publishes a new revision of the MPEP, OED posts a formal notice announcing the transition date on which Prometric computers will update to the new revision. As of 2026, all Prometric workstations test MPEP Ninth Edition, Revision 01.2024 (published November 2024).

How This Topic Fits Into the 2026 USPTO Registration Examination Blueprint

Every question on the USPTO Patent Bar Exam traces directly back to three primary legal authorities loaded onto Prometric testing workstations: Title 35 of the United States Code (35 U.S.C. 101 Subject Matter Eligibility, 35 U.S.C. 102 Novelty & Prior Art, 35 U.S.C. 103 Obviousness, and 35 U.S.C. 112 Specification & Claims), Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations (37 CFR Parts 1, 11, 41, and 42), and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP Ninth Edition, Rev. 01.2024).

Prometric Exam Day Execution Checklist

During each 3-hour, 50-question Prometric session, you have exactly 3.6 minutes (216 seconds) per question. High-scoring candidates answer 35 to 40 questions on their first pass using memorized rules from MPEP 700, MPEP 200, MPEP 600, and MPEP 1800, and reserve the final 50–60 minutes to look up marked edge-case exceptions in the on-screen MPEP PDF viewer.

AIA vs. Pre-AIA & Deadline Verification Protocol

Before selecting an option on any Patent Bar question, run a three-point check: (1) check the effective filing date against the March 16, 2013 AIA transition date, (2) verify whether the deadline is extendable under 37 CFR 1.136(a) or non-extendable by statute (such as the 12-month provisional period, 6-month maximum reply cap, or 2-year broadening reissue rule in MPEP 1400), and (3) check whether the proceeding is before the examiner, the PTAB (MPEP 1200), or Ex Parte Reexamination (MPEP 2200).

To turn passive reading into a passing 70%+ score (63 out of 90 scored questions), pair this guide with active question drills in our Free 50-Question Practice Hub, review worked hypotheticals on our Example Questions page, and benchmark your lookup speed in the Timed Patent Bar Mock Exam Simulator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the Patent Bar Exam remotely from home via ProProctor?

No. The USPTO Registration Examination must be taken in person at an authorized Prometric testing center due to exam security and the 6-hour two-session format.

What if no Prometric seats are available near me before my 90-day window ends?

Book at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance because 6-hour testing blocks fill up faster than 1-hour exams. If an emergency arises BEFORE your 90-day window expires and before you have scheduled a date within 5 days, you can request a 90-day window extension through the OED portal.