On May 1, after completing a robust standard setting process with subject matter expertise provided by practising agents, CPATA released exam results to candidates who wrote the first ever Patent Knowledge Examinations and Trademark Knowledge Examinations in March 2024.
One of CPATA’s main responsibilities is the administration of the qualifying examinations, which have been scrutinized by IP stakeholders in the past due to low pass rates. After developing technical competency profiles which set clear standards for patent agents and trademark agents, CPATA began to review and redevelop the qualifying examinations. CPATA relied heavily on input from the professions in the process.
Starting in 2024, the qualifying examinations are divided into the knowledge exams (to assess the patent and trademark-related knowledge concepts specified in the Technical Competency Profiles) and the skills exams (to assess the application of skills required for patent agent and trademark agent practice specified in the Technical Competency Profiles). Candidates must demonstrate competency on the knowledge exams to be eligible for the skills exams.
On the 2024 Trademark Knowledge Examinations, 50/58 (86%) candidates demonstrated competency. On the 2024 Patent Knowledge Examinations, 74/77 (96%) candidates demonstrated competency.
CPATA is pleased to see that setting clear standards for the profession improved candidates’ abilities demonstrate competency on the knowledge examinations. These candidates are now eligible to write the Skills Examinations in Fall 2024. Success on the Knowledge Exam is not necessarily a predictor of success on the Skills Exam.
CPATA’s vision is to ensure public access to a globally-respected body of patent agents and trademark agents who are highly skilled, ethical, and current in their knowledge. The new qualifying examinations are more transparent, fair, defensible and allow CPATA to appropriately assess whether a candidate demonstrates the minimum level of competency required of an entry-level agent.
More information about the Patent Knowledge Examination Results
More information about the Trademark Knowledge Examination Results
