Patent Bar Requirements: Categories A, B, C and the Design Bar
To sit the exam you must show OED good moral character and reputation and the legal, scientific and technical qualifications in 37 CFR 11.7. The General Requirements Bulletin (GRB) sets out four ways to show the scientific and technical training. Everything below is from the GRB, as at 12 Oct 2026.
| Category | How you qualify | Registered for |
|---|---|---|
| A | A bachelor's, master's or PhD in a listed subject (for example electrical, mechanical, chemical or biomedical engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, a B.S. in computer science), shown by an official transcript | All patent matters |
| B | A degree in another subject plus enough technical coursework, under one of the GRB's four options (for example 24 semester hours of physics, or 30 of chemistry) | All patent matters |
| C | A bachelor's degree and a passing result on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test | All patent matters |
| D | A bachelor's, master's or PhD in a design subject: architecture, applied arts, art teacher education, fine/studio arts, graphic design, industrial design or product design | Design patent matters only |
Non-citizens
The GRB says the exam is not given to non-citizens who do not live in the United States. Lawful permanent residents may apply for registration; other non-citizens living in the United States may apply for limited recognition under 37 CFR 11.9(b), with proof that their immigration status allows the work.
What you send
- The application (Form PTO-158, or online through the OEDCI applicant portal).
- The US$118 application fee and the US$226 examination fee.
- Official transcripts (a copy or a diploma is not accepted), plus course descriptions for Category B and FE results for Category C.
Trap
Next: what the exam costs and how to schedule it.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a law degree to take the patent bar?
No. You need the scientific and technical training in the GRB (Categories A, B or C, or D for design practice only). Without a law license you register as a patent agent.
Does a computer science degree qualify for the patent bar?
Under Category A only if it is a bachelor of science from an accredited college or university; other computer science degrees go through Category B or C (GRB, as at 12 Oct 2026).
What is the design patent bar?
Category D: a degree in a listed design subject (such as industrial design or architecture). After passing the same exam you are registered for design patent matters only.
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