How to Apply for and Schedule the Patent Bar Exam
The steps
- Apply to OED with Form PTO-158 or through the OEDCI applicant portal, with transcripts and the application and examination fees.
- When OED admits you, the admission notice gives you about 90 days to schedule and sit the exam.
- Book with Prometric (online, by phone or through a test center) and pay the US$221 administration fee.
- Arrive 30 minutes early with a current government photo ID whose name matches your application exactly.
- Take both sessions; on a one-day sitting you see an unofficial result at the end.
If you need more time
You can ask for an extension of the scheduling window before it expires, for a fee (US$124 under 37 CFR 11.7(b)(4)(ii), per the GRB). Extensions may be granted repeatedly. If the window expires, you must reapply and pay again.
Trap
Source: OED General Requirements Bulletin, section X; USPTO "Becoming a patent practitioner" (updated 5 May 2026), as at 12 Oct 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to take the patent bar after I am admitted?
About 90 days from admission, per the USPTO. You can buy extensions before the window expires.
When do I get my patent bar results?
On a one-day sitting you see an unofficial result at the end; the USPTO says official results generally follow within 5 business days.
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