Starting in 2024, to become licensed as a Patent Agent, a person (in addition to meeting other requirements) must successfully complete the required training and the following qualifying examinations:
- Patent Knowledge Examination
- Patent Agent Skills Examination Part 1
- Patent Agent Skills Examination Part 2
Class 3 agents in training who have completed at least 12 months of supervised training by the examination date are permitted (but not required) to attempt the Knowledge Examination. Only Class 3 agents-in-training who have completed the 24-month training requirement and have demonstrated competency on the Knowledge Examination are eligible to register for the skills exams.
2025 Dates
Patent Agent Skills Examinations – October 27-30, 2025
- Results release – February 25, 2025
2026 Dates
The deadline to register as a Class 3 agent-in-training to be considered for 2026 Winter exams - October 31, 2025.
Winter Patent Knowledge Examination – February 24, 2026
- Registration Deadline –January 23, 2026
- Accommodation Request Deadline – August 21, 2026
- Candidate Orientation – February 3, 2026
- Live Proctor Check-in – February 16-20, 2026
- Results release – TBD
The deadline to register as a Class 3 agent-in-training to be considered for 2026 Spring exams – February 27, 2026.
Spring Patent Knowledge Examination – June 9, 2026
- Registration Deadline – May 8, 2026
- Accommodation Request Deadline – May 8, 2026
- Candidate Orientation – May 19, 2026
- Live Proctor Check-in – June 1-5, 2026
- Results release – TBD
Patent Agent Skills Examinations – October 19-22, 2026
- Registration Deadline – September 18, 2026
- Accommodation Request Deadline – September 18, 2026
- Candidate Orientation – October 6, 2026
- Live Proctor Check-In – October 12-16, 2026
- Results release – TBD
Exam Details
The Patent Knowledge Examination evaluates the patent-related, knowledge-
based technical competencies specified in the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Technical Competencies.
Format: Online, closed book
Length: 4 hours
Questions: 135 multiple-choice questions with 4 possible answers
A test-taker must successfully demonstrate competence on the Knowledge Examination before attempting the Agent Skills Examination.
PATENT AGENT KNOWLEDGE EXAMINATION TEST SPECIFICATIONS
The Patent Agent Skills Examination Part 1 and the Patent Agent Skills Examination Part 2 are independent examinations that can be completed in any order. Each evaluates a subset of the patent-related, skills-based technical competencies specified in the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Technical Competencies. Candidates who are successful with Part 1 (Components A and B) will be able to carry forward the successful attempt to future administrations if they are not successful on Part 2.
Part 1 (Components A and B)
Format: online, limited open-book format (test-takers receiving electronic access to the Patent Act, RSC 1985, c P-4 and Patent Rules, SOR/2019-251).
Length: 3 hours on day 1, 3 hours on day 2
Questions: long and short answer written responses
The 2 components are scored together as a single examination.
PATENT AGENT SKILLS EXAMINATION PART 1 TEST SPECIFICATIONS
Part 2 (Components A and B)
Part 2 of the Patent Agent Skills Examination assesses the prosecution-, validity-, and infringement-related skills required of Patent Agents specified in the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Technical Competencies.
Format: online, limited open-book format (test-takers receiving electronic access to the Patent Act, RSC 1985, c P-4 and Patent Rules, SOR/2019-251).
Length: 3 hours on day 1, 3 hours on day 2
Questions: long and short answer written responses
PATENT AGENT SKILLS EXAMINATION PART 2 TEST SPECIFICATIONS
2025 Fees
Patent Knowledge Examination – $357 + applicable taxes
Patent Agent Skills Examination:
Part 1 (Component A and B) – $714 + applicable taxes
Part 2 (Component A and B) – $714 + applicable taxes
2026 Fees
Registration fees for forms submitted in 2025 for the Winter 2026 Knowledge Examinations will be charged in January 2026. 2026 fees will be published in late 2025. Candidates that submit their registration forms before December 31, 2025, will be instructed to login to the Licensee Portal to pay the exam registration fee invoice once it has been posted.
Request for Delayed Examinations
The By-laws require licensees to write examinations at the first sitting that follows the completion of their training program. However, if a licensee is not able to write the examinations as required, for a reason beyond their control, the Registrar may, on request of the licensee, allow them to write the examinations at the next administration. Please review the Registrar’s Policy on Requests for Delayed Examinations for more information regarding submitting a request.
Maximum Number of Attempts & Remedial Education
The By-laws allow agents in training who do not initially receive a passing mark on the qualifying examinations to write them only one additional time and must do so at the first sitting that takes place after they receive their examination results. Because agents in training complete their training programs at different times throughout the year and the dates of the examinations are fixed on an annual basis, to ensure fairness, the Registrar’s Policy on Maximum Number of Examination Attempts & Remedial Training was adopted. Please review the policy for more information.
Invalidating an Examination Result
Under certain circumstances, an examination result may be invalidated. The Registrar’s Policy on Invalidating an Examination Result was adopted for the consideration of those scenarios. Please review the policy for more information.
Candidates who Demonstrated Competency on Part of the Qualifying Examinations During a Previous Administration
Candidates who demonstrate competency on Part 1 or Part 2, may carry forward the Part that was successfully completed and will only have to re-attempt the Part where competency was not yet demonstrated.
Questions
For any questions or concerns, please reach out to us by filling out our contact form.