If you are a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registered patent attorney or agent, or a current or future inventor, 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) three-day, in-person course.
Registration will be open through Tuesday, August 6, or until registration is full.
STEPP courses are led by USPTO trainers and based on 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).
Prior to attending, those accepted may wish to complete pre-activity homework. This includes reviewing several computer-based training (CBT) modules and reading the sample application.
The training has three separate modules that build upon each other. 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 information gathered during the first day to plan a search, conduct a search, and map prior art to claims.
- Day three focuses on writing of an office action.
For a detailed schedule, please view the STEPP attorney/agent/inventor three-day 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.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
The USPTO is applying for CLE credit in Hawaii for this course.