Patent Bar Exam News » Patent Bar Requirements

What are the Requirements for the Patent Bar Exam?

You do not need to be a lawyer in order to meet the requirements for the Patent Bar Exam. However, in order to qualify for the Patent Bar, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in one of the specified fields of science or engineering.

An individual with a law degree, but without the proper education or training in science or engineering will not meet the Patent Bar requirements. Check out the official PTO website for further information regarding the specific requirements.

The patent bar requirements will usually be met if you have a degree in one of the following fields:

Computer Science (Must be from an accredited program)

Engineering:

Aeronautical
Agricultural
Biomedical
Ceramic
Chemical
Civil
Computer
Electrical
Electrochemical
Engineering physics
Geological
Industrial
Mechanical
Metallurgical
Mining
Nuclear
Petroleum

Science:

Biology
Biochemistry
Botany
General chemistry
Microbiology
Molecular biology
Organic chemistry
Pharmacology
Physics

Technology:

Electronics technology
Food technology
Marine technology
Textile technology

Please note that you may still meet the Patent Bar requirements without one of the degrees listed above. You may qualify based on the college coursework you have completed. One of the following sets of coursework may be substituted for a degree:

• 24 hrs physics

-or-

• 8 hrs chemistry or 8 hrs physics (must be sequential and include a lab) + 24 hrs of biology, botany, microbiology or molecular biology

-or-

• 30 hrs of chemistry

-or-

• 8 hrs of chemistry or 8 hrs of physics (must be sequential and include a lab) + 32 hrs of chemistry, physics, biology, botany, microbiology, molecular biology and engineering

*Note that all coursework must be for Science or Engineering majors.

*Please refer to the General Requirements Bulletin before applying. We cannot be held responsible for changes to the requirements.