Stakeholder Application Readiness Training (StART)
Workshop for the public who are new to the patent filing process.
Workshop for the public who are new to the patent filing process.
Do you have an invention you want to patent? Are you unfamiliar with the patent filing process? Are you a first-time patent application filer or new to the Patent Center? Are you unsure where to start? Get a head StART with this workshop!
The Stakeholder Application Readiness Training (StART) workshop is focused on helping you learn the fundamentals of the patent application process.
StART is a FREE 3-day workshop that provides training and one-on-one assistance to independent inventors in preparing their application packet materials and filing that application.
StART is currently offered in the virtual environment.
See the full 3-day course schedule [PDF].
Interested in Attending?
Complete the interest form available on our events page. For additional information on a course listed, please read the course description below. For questions regarding attending the course, please email us at start@uspto.gov.
StART is for independent inventors, entrepreneurs, and small business communities who want to file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent agent or attorney. The StART program is one of many initiatives and activities that form part of the USPTO’s mission.
Patent protection is critical to:
When time and effort is invested into the proper preparation of your patent application and understanding the filing procedures, the benefits can be of tremendous value, especially during the patent examination process. The quality and value of a patent may depend upon the skilled preparation of the patent application. Educating yourself is an important first step in developing an intellectual property strategy, potentially yielding economic benefits for your company and future endeavors.
For more information:
Contact start@uspto.gov by email.
Course prerequisites | Description | Location |
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Intellectual Property (IP) Identifier | Learn how to identify which of your creative ideas might be intellectual property assets and how to protect them. | https://IPIdentifier.uspto.gov/ |
Create a written description and drawing(s) of the invention | Taking the time to brainstorm the descriptions and drawings for your invention ahead of the course will help you maximize your learning experience. For additional assistance on the requirements for written descriptions and drawings, the Pro Se Assistance Center may be able to provide some assistance. | If you plan to file a Utility Patent Application, review the utility checklist and filing guide. |
Obtain a Customer Number* | Obtaining a customer number helps track your application easily. This does take some time for processing once the form is received. | Read the information on how to obtain a customer number: |
Set up a Verified MyUSPTO.gov Account* | A verified MyUSPTO.gov account provides you access to many of the UPSTO systems to better support the monitoring, tracking, and responding throughout the application process. This process will take a few minutes to complete the required information. | Read the information on how to create a verified MyUSPTO.gov Account. |
* For additional assistance with obtaining a customer number and setting up a verified MyUSPTO.gov Account, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC).
Note: All courses, times, and dates are subject to change and may be canceled at any time.
Upcoming Stakeholder Application Readiness Training (StART)
Title | Dates | Audience | Location | Interest form |
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3-Day Workshop | March 25-27, 2025 | Inventors* | Virtual environment | Closed |
3-Day Workshop | May 20-22, 2025 | Inventors* | Virtual environment | Closed |
* Inventors - Those who are not registered to practice before the USPTO.
StART 3-Day Workshop
This course is intended for individuals who:
The Stakeholder Application Readiness Training (StART) workshop provides pro se inventors with the tools, techniques, and resources to successfully submit a nonprovisional patent application. The course offers presentations and one-on-one time each day with a USPTO representative. Each day will start at 9 a.m. ET and end at 4 p.m. ET and includes time for breaks and lunch.
The following list and table provide the focus and the topics covered over the three days:
Day 1 topics | Day 2 topics | Day 3 topics |
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** USPTO employees cannot give legal advice. However, through increased assistance and resources for independent inventors, entrepreneurs, and small business communities, this workshop aims to increase the quality of applications submitted and assist applicants with making informed decisions regarding their patent applications.
This workshop is administered by the Office of Patents Stakeholder Experience (OPSE), Stakeholder Education and Training Division (SETD).
Are there other topics you’d like to receive training on? Do the current programs offered by SETD meet your needs? Please send us an email at start@uspto.gov with your feedback and suggestions.
Pro Se Assistance Program
The Pro Se Assistance Program provides outreach and education to applicants (also known as "pro se" applicants) who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent. USPTO employees cannot give legal advice. However, through increased assistance and resources for independent inventor and small business communities, the program aims to increase the quality of pro se applications and assist pro se applicants with making informed decisions regarding their patent applications.
To learn more visit the Pro Se Assistance Program page.
Customer Ambassador Program
The Customer Ambassador Program provides support services for independent inventors. Independent inventors are assigned to a USPTO employee to take them step-by-step through the patent prosecution process, from the filing to a Notice of Allowance or Abandonment.
For additional questions regarding the Customer Ambassador Program, contact the USPTO at CustomerAmbassador@uspto.gov.
Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP)
Are you or your client interested in attending in-person training that focuses on examination practice and procedure? Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) is designed to provide external stakeholders with a better understanding of how, and why, an examiner makes decisions while examining a patent application. The STEPP program provides unique day-in-the-life experiences to those attending training. Two course formats are available: Agent/Attorney and Inventor 3-day courses.
To learn more, visit the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) page.
Stakeholder Offerings and Resources (SOaR)
The SOaR program offers:
Learn more about the SOaR program.
For more information on the SOaR program, please contact SOaR@uspto.gov.
Examiner training and material
Looking for additional information on examination practice and procedure? Publicly available material used to train USPTO patent examiners is available on our Examiner Training Materials page and the Examination Guidance and Training Materials page.
USPTO events offering CLE credits
The USPTO regularly organizes or participates in continuing legal education (CLE) credit offerings across the country and covering a variety of topics. To learn more, visit the USPTO CLE events page.
Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP)
Are you or your client interested in providing technical training to patent examiners? The Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP) offers technologists, scientists, engineers, and other experts from industry and academia an opportunity to voluntarily provide technical training and expertise to patent examiners, in-person or virtually from their own location.
In-person presentations can be made at our Alexandria, VA, headquarters or at one of our USPTO regional offices in Detroit, MI, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO and San Jose, CA.
To learn more, visit the PETTP page.
Site Experience Education (SEE) Program
Are you or your client interested in hosting patent examiners at your office or facility? The Site Experience Education (SEE) program provides commercial, industrial, and academic institutions within the continental U.S. the opportunity to voluntarily host patent examiner technical site visits. The USPTO funds all SEE travel costs for patent examiner visits to host organizations.
To learn more, visit the SEE Program page.