If you are a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registered patent attorney or agent, it helps to think like a USPTO patent examiner. Get a better understanding of how examiners make decisions by attending the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) agent-attorney four-day course, November 14-17, 2023.
Interest forms are no longer being accepted (registration is full).
Virtual courses are led by USPTO trainers, and the course material is based on the same training material developed for training new USPTO examiners. The training focuses on how our examiners review patent applications according to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). Attendees must complete pre-activity homework, which includes several computer-based training (CBT) modules and reading of resource materials.
The training has four separate modules that build upon each other, from days one to four. Similar to the training of new examiners at the USPTO, a sample application will be provided to each trainee and will be the focus of exercises during each module.
- Day one focuses on the role of an examiner and the steps an examiner takes when reading an application for the first time.
- Day two uses the information gathered during day one to plan and conduct a search. In addition, 35 U.S.C. §§ 101 and 112 are emphasized.
- Day three uses the information gathered during day two to map prior art to claims using 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103.
- Day four finishes the mapping art to claim discussion and focuses on how examiners write their office actions.
For a detailed schedule, please view the Agent/attorney 4-day course general schedule.
Visit the STEPP webpage to learn more about the program, or for more information, email 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.