If you are a USPTO-registered patent attorney or agent, it helps to think like a patent examiner. Get a better understanding of how examiners make decisions by attending the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) virtual agent/attorney four-day course.
Those who want to attend must submit an interest form and meet certain criteria. You must be an agent and attorney who is licensed and registered to practice before the USPTO (i.e., a licensed and registered patent agent or patent attorney). Interest forms are being accepted until Tuesday, December 3 (or until registration is full).
Virtual courses are led by USPTO trainers and are based on the same training material developed for new USPTO examiners. The training focuses on how examiners review patent applications according to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP).
If you are accepted, we encourage you to complete pre-activity homework. This includes reviewing several computer-based training modules and reading a sample application. Similar to the training of new USPTO examiners, the sample application will be the focus of exercises during each session.
This STEPP course has four sessions that build on one another.
- Day one focuses on the role of an examiner and steps they take when reading an application for the first time.
- Day two uses the information gathered during Day 1 to plan and conduct a search, emphasizing relevant legal statutes.
- Day three builds on Day 2 in applying relevant statutes to the mapping of prior art to the sample claims.
- Day four finishes discussing the mapping of art to claims and focuses on writing an office action.
A detailed course schedule is available. Learn more about STEPP at the program webpage or by emailing STEPP@uspto.gov.
Accessibility accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.