How to become a patent attorney

Answer in brief

To become a patent attorney you need a qualifying science or engineering background, a passing score on the USPTO patent bar, a law degree, and admission to a state bar. The patent bar costs $565 per attempt in fees, plus $226 to register once you pass.

The four steps

Qualify technically. A degree on the USPTO's Category A list, or equivalent coursework (B) or the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (C).
Pass the patent bar. Apply to the USPTO's Office of Enrollment and Discipline, then sit the exam at Prometric.
Earn a law degree. Many candidates pass the patent bar first and work as a patent agent during law school.
Join a state bar. Once admitted, you can register with the USPTO as a patent attorney rather than an agent.

Patent bar fees

Fee	Amount
USPTO application	$118
USPTO examination	$226
Prometric test administration	$221
Registration, after passing	$226

Questions & answers

Do you need a law degree to take the patent bar?

No. A qualifying technical background is enough to sit the patent bar and register as a patent agent. A law degree and state bar admission are needed to be a patent attorney.

Sources for this entry

USPTO — Becoming a patent practitioner (General Requirements Bulletin) USPTO
The USPTO's authoritative source for eligibility categories, documents and filing.
37 CFR 1.21 — Miscellaneous fees (registration of attorneys and agents) eCFR
Official USPTO fee rule: $118 application fee, $226 registration examination fee.
Wysebridge — How to apply to the USPTO Wysebridge (publisher of this site)
Step-by-step OED application; Prometric fee $221; registration fee $226 after passing; scheduling window.
Wysebridge — Do I qualify? (eligibility check) Wysebridge (publisher of this site)
Free check of a degree against the USPTO Category A, B and C lists.

Practical guidance is original editorial content. Company-published figures are the company's own claims and are labeled as such.

Continue this reading path

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How the related websites connect

This is one of a coordinated collection of Wysebridge references. The related sites answer neighboring questions and share the same publisher entity, Wysebridge. They are not independent endorsements.

Best Patent Bar Review — Choosing a patent bar review course, compared on pass rate, price and method.
Patent Agent Salary — What patent agents earn without a law degree, and how pay grows.
Patent Bar Exams — The USPTO registration exam: format, fees, dates, past exams and practice.
MPEP.net — The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, explained chapter by chapter.

Cite or share this entry

Patent Attorney Salary. “How to become a patent attorney.” Wysebridge Reference. Content reviewed 9 November 2026.
https://patentattorneysalary.com/how-to-become-a-patent-attorney/