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

How to Register for the Patent Bar Exam

To register for the Patent Bar Exam, create an account on the USPTO Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED) Applicant Portal, complete online Form PTO-275, pay $320 in USPTO fees ($110 application + $210 exam), have your university send official transcripts, and then book your test date on Prometric.com using your 90-day Authorization to Test letter.

Key 2026 Takeaways at a Glance

✓ All registration happens online through the USPTO OED Applicant Portal (`oedci.uspto.gov`)—paper applications are no longer needed.
✓ Order your official university transcripts early so they arrive at OED simultaneously with your online submission.
✓ Do not pay Prometric ($255) until after OED approves your application and issues your USPTO Candidate ID.

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6-Step Patent Bar Registration Walkthrough

Follow these exact steps in order to avoid processing delays with the USPTO Office of Enrollment and Discipline:

• Step 1 — Create Your USPTO.gov & OED Applicant Portal Account: Log in with ID.me verification on the USPTO OED Applicant Portal.
• Step 2 — Select Category A, B, or C Qualification: If your degree title matches the GRB list, choose Category A for fastest approval. If applying under Category B, compile PDF copies of official course descriptions from the academic catalog year you took each class.
• Step 3 — Complete Moral Character Questionnaire (Form PTO-275): Answer all background questions honestly and attach explanations/court dispositions if applicable.
• Step 4 — Pay $320 via Pay.gov ($110 Application + $210 Exam Fee): Keep your electronic receipt.
• Step 5 — Send Official Sealed/Electronic Transcripts to OED: Have your university registrar send official transcripts directly to the USPTO OED.
• Step 6 — Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) & Schedule at Prometric: Once approved, use your Candidate ID on Prometric.com/USPTO to pay the $255 seat fee and pick your testing date.

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 upload an unofficial PDF transcript from my student portal?

No. OED requires an official transcript issued by the university registrar showing that a bachelor’s (or higher) degree was officially conferred.

When should I start studying—before or after I register with OED?

Start studying 2 to 4 weeks BEFORE submitting your OED application so that when your 90-day Authorization to Test window opens, youalready have MPEP 2100 and 700 mastered.