Background
CPATA’s vision is to provide the public with access to a globally-respected body of patent agents and trademark agents who are highly skilled, ethical, and current in their knowledge.
The College is in the process of modernizing the pathways to becoming a patent agent or trademark agent in Canada. After creating the Technical Competency Profiles for Patent Agents and Trademark Agents, CPATA redesigned the qualifying examinations to test to these competencies, a change that enhanced transparency, set clear expectations of candidates and is expected to help trainees acquire entry level competencies more efficiently moving forward. CPATA relied heavily on input from the professions in the process. The final element of the pathway to licensure that requires exploration is the 24-month apprenticeship component.
As of CPATA’s coming into force, the pathway to becoming a patent agent or a trademark agent had remained largely unchanged for many years. Currently, patent agent and trademark agent trainees must complete a 24-month apprenticeship and then pass qualifying examinations. Though these requirements produced many excellent patent agents and trademark agents, CPATA has heard from licensees and other IP stakeholders that there is room for improvement.
Consultation
As part of its competency initiative, CPATA launched a multi-phase, exploratory consultation to assess the merits and challenges associated with the 24-month apprenticeship model. CPATA invited participation from licensees and others in the IP community.
Between June and October 2024, CPATA collected information from licensees and other IP stakeholders about their experiences with and insights about apprenticeships, which will be used to consider potential options for improving the ways to become a licensee. CPATA retained an independent, third-party consultant Calibrate Solutions to facilitate focus groups and conduct a survey of licensees. Organizations and individuals were also invited to provide written submissions to the consultation paper.
Next Steps
CPATA’s Board of Directors will be briefed on the findings of the consultation in late 2024 and consider next steps in 2025. Possible changes to the pathway to licensure, if any, would be subject to further outreach with the professions and stakeholders prior to being finalized by the Board or implemented.