Eligibility
To write the knowledge examination, an individual must:
- be registered as a Class 3 agent-in-training;
- have completed 12 months of the 24-month training requirement by the date of the Knowledge Exam;
- submit the exam registration form with applicable fees; and
- submit the letter of attestation from their supervisor(s) confirming
completion of the training requirement (first-time writers only).
To write the skills examination, an individual must meet the above criteria and must have completed the remaining 12 months of the 24-month training requirement.
Registration
Registration for the Winter 2026 Knowledge Examination will open November 1, 2025. Candidates who demonstrate competency on the knowledge examination will be provided with the link to the registration form for the skills examinations in the Spring 2026.
The deadline to register as a Class 3 agent-in-training to be considered for 2026 Winter exams is October 31, 2025.
The deadline to register as a Class 3 agent-in-training to be considered for 2026 Spring exams is February 27, 2026.
Trademark Knowledge Examination
Winter 2026 Trademark Knowledge Examination Registration opens November 1, 2025, and the deadline to register is January 9, 2026.
The Knowledge Examination Registration form will be available when registration opens.
Skills Examinations
Skills Examination Registration opens May 1st, 2025, deadline to register is August 22, 2025
Letter of Attestation
New writers are required to submit a letter of attestation issued by their Training Supervisor (Class 1 or 2 Licensee or approved representative from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office) who is familiar with their work and that
clearly describes:
- the firm or office of the training supervisor with whom the candidate undertook training;
- the names of training supervisors who were most responsible for supervision of their work
- the training dates;
- the nature of the work done by the candidate during their training (e.g., preparing, filing and prosecuting applications, interviewing, research);
- the nature of the arrangement with the training supervisor or their office or firm (e.g., full time, part time etc.); and
- confirmation that, in the opinion of the training supervisor, the training has prepared the candidate for writing the Qualifying Examinations.
Previous writers are required to submit the exam registration form but are not required to re-submit the letter of attestation from their training supervisor.
The letter should be e-mailed to registration-inscription@cpata-cabamc.ca by the registration deadlines noted above.
Fees
Trademark Knowledge Examination – $357 + applicable taxes
Trademark Agent Skills Examination – $714 + applicable taxes (this includes
Components A and B)
Payment information must be provided on the exam registration forms.
Accommodation Requests
Agents-in-training can request reasonable accommodation from the Registrar if they provide medical or other information that demonstrates the need for an accommodation to provide a fair opportunity to successfully complete the requirements for registration as a Patent Agent or Trademark Agent.
The purpose of accommodation for qualifying examinations is to provide otherwise qualified candidates with an equal opportunity to meet legitimate professional standards. CPATA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to candidates, as needed, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Examination accommodations are a modification to the standard administration of an examination to address a functional limitation related to protected ground(s). Candidates may be able to receive accommodations depending on the nature of their functional limitations and associated accommodation needs, the documentation provided, and the requirements of the examination.
Grounds for requesting an accommodation may include, but are not limited to:
- Disability due to a neurodevelopmental, cognitive and/or psychological condition
- Disability due to a physical impairment or condition
- Pregnancy or maternity related needs
- Religion
- Family status
Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- Extended time
- Additional breaks
- Assistive technology (e.g., screen readers, magnifiers)
- Alternative formats (e.g., Braille, large print)
Candidates must submit a completed Request for Accommodation Form.
Candidates must provide one (1) piece of objective evidence to support their request. The documentation provided must clearly articulate the candidate’s actual functional limitations and barriers to access in relation to the examination(s) and the accommodation requested, and provide a rationale for the accommodation. Candidates may be asked to submit a further evidence or information to support their request.
Candidates who request an accommodation related to a disability, an illness, an injury, a medical condition, or a pregnancy- or maternity-related need will be asked to provide a completed Health Care Professional Recommendation for Qualifying Examination Accommodation Form as the one (1) piece of objective evidence in support of their request.
It is important for any candidate considering requesting an accommodation carefully review the Registrar’s Policy on Accommodation for Examinations, in addition to the Request for Accommodation Form, Health Care Professional Recommendation for Qualifying Examination Accommodation Form, and the request deadlines noted on the Information page.
Questions
For any questions or concerns, please reach out to us by filling out our contact form.