Stakeholder Application Readiness Training (StART)

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 SETD@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:

• Safeguarding products and services from imitation
• Attracting and securing funding from outside investors
• Promoting the overall commercial success of any enterprise

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 SETD@uspto.gov by email.

* 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)

* Inventors - Those who are not registered to practice before the USPTO.

StART 3-Day Workshop

This course is intended for individuals who:

• Do not have a USPTO registration number (i.e., cannot represent applicants before the USPTO)
• Have completed the course prerequisites

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 of the workshop begins with an overview of patents and the different types of patents available. The remainder of the day focuses on how to search using the Patents Public Search (PPUBS) tool and provides one-on-one support.
• Day 2 focuses on the importance of claims in a patent application, how to properly draft claims and provides one-on-one support.
• Day 3 provides an overview on the forms required to file a patent application, provides a demonstration on how to use the Patent Center to file an application electronically and provides one-on-one support.

** 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 SETD@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.

• A USPTO customer ambassador will be available to assist stakeholders, on a 1-on-1 basis, at critical junctures in the patent application process and answer any inquiries.
• The goal is to provide the stakeholder with support to avoid critical procedural mistakes that can delay the prosecution process. While helping to ensure the inventor’s application proceeds as smoothly as possible through the system.   
• If you participate in the StART training program and are ready to file your patent application, you may be invited to participate in the Customer Ambassador Program.

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:

• Interactive online courses
• In-depth topic discussions
• Legal and CLE trainings
• Expanded trainings for non-professional (pro se) applicants

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.

Weather-related emergencies and unexpected closings:

In the event of a weather-related emergency or other unexpected closing, StART follows the operating status of the USPTO office where training is being held, and guidance of the Office of Personnel Management. If the training is held at a non-USPTO office location, StART follows the operating status of the non-USPTO office location where the training is held. As a result, StART training for a particular day may have a delayed start or be canceled due to inclement weather. The USPTO is not responsible for any costs you may incur due to cancelations or delays. Furthermore, no makeup session will be scheduled.  

Office closed

In-person courses will not run on a day the office is closed (but if, for example, the office is closed only on Tuesday, the training will take place as scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday).

Office open with delayed arrival

In-person courses will begin the number of hours indicated after the scheduled start time (e.g., if there is a 1-hour delay, a course scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. will begin at 9:30 a.m.).

Early dismissal

In-person courses will be dismissed the number of hours indicated before the scheduled end time (e.g., if there is a 2-hour early dismissal, a course scheduled to end at 5 p.m. will dismiss at 3 p.m.).

All other operating statuses (e.g., open with option for unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework)

In-person courses will run as scheduled.

For information on the current operating status of the USPTO office where your course is being held, please see the following:

• Alexandria, VA (USPTO Headquarters): visit the OPM current status web page or call 202-606-1900
• Dallas, TX:  call 469-295-9494 or email southwest@uspto.gov
• Denver, CO:  call 303-297-4646 or email RockyMountain@uspto.gov
• Detroit, MI:  call 313-446-4949 or email midwest@uspto.gov
• San Jose, CA:  call 408-918-7676 or email western@uspto.gov