The necessary academic qualifications and qualifying examinations (“QE”) referred to in Chapter 3 of the Core Regulatory Framework, are set out in the Examination and Admission Rules 2011.
Prospective students should contact the relevant university or examination board directly if they have any queries regarding their circumstances or the university's course or examination. Only the university or examination board can verify whether an individual meets their entry requirements and whether any exemptions might apply (see below). IPReg cannot provide exemptions to examinations, or provide advice or become involved in these assessments.
PATENT ATTORNEY - QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS AND COURSES
To qualify as a patent attorney an applicant will first need to successfully complete one of the patent iterations of the Postgraduate Intellectual Property Certificates identified above (as offered by the universities of Bournemouth, Brunel and Queen Mary London) or the IPReg-accredited foundation certificate examinations - see here for the foundation certificate examinations syllabus, as provided by the Patent Examination Board - of which there are 5 potential examinations - current fee £375 x 5 = £1,875.
They will then need to successfully complete the IPReg-accredited advanced level examinations - see here for the final diploma examinations syllabus, as provided by the Patent Examination Board - of which there are 4 potential examinations - current fee £550 x 4 = £2,200.
There are commercially available courses to prepare candidates for the patent attorney examinations. These are not accredited by IPReg.
Important note for 2025 PEB Examinations
The PEB has opened registration for the 2025 Qualifying Examinations as planned on Monday 23 June 2025. The IPReg Board's final decision on reaccrediation of the 2025 FC exams and accreditation of the FD exams will be made at its meeting of 10 July 2025.
The Patent Examination Board (PEB) grants individuals who have passed Paper A of the European Qualifying Examinations (EQE) an exemption from FD2 Drafting of Specifications. The PEB also grants individuals who have passed Paper B of the EQE an exemption from FD3 Amendment of Specifications. Individuals who have passed the whole EQE (Papers A, B, C and D) may be granted exemption from both FD2 and FD3.
Joint statement on EQE exemptions from FD2 and FD3
IPReg sets out its rules for Examination Agencies on exemptions and deemed passes in Schedule 3 of the Rules for Examination and Admission. IPReg currently recognises the exemptions granted by the PEB when considering entry onto of individuals onto the Register. Requirements for admission to the Register are set out in IPReg's Standard Operating Procedure: Admission and Authorisation.
The PEB will continue to apply this Exemptions Policy to candidates who have achieved passes in EQE examinations in the 2025 and 2026 examination sessions. There is no requirement to apply for registration within any set time period after the qualifications are awarded. IPReg and the PEB recognise exemptions based on when a qualification is awarded, not the date of application for registration.
IPReg, the PEB and CIPA are working together to determine how exemptions for FD2 and FD3 might be applied when the full suite of the revised EQE examinations is delivered for the first time in 2027. Publication of the EQE sample M3 examination paper is currently awaited. Further information will be published when this is available.
REGISTERED TRADE MARK ATTORNEY - QUALIFYING COURSES
To qualify as a registered trade mark attorney an applicant will first need to successfully complete one of the IPReg-accredited foundation certificate trademark courses:
Bournemouth - Postgraduate Intellectual Property Certificate current fee £5,634
Bournemouth - Intellectual Property LLM current fee £9,500
Brunel - Postgraduate Intellectual Property Certificate current fee £4,580
Brunel - Intellectual Property Law LLM current fee £13,750
Queen Mary London - Postgraduate Trade Mark Law and Practice Certificate current fee £10,500
Queen Mary London - Postgraduate Intellectual Property Certificate current fee £10,500
Queen Mary London - Management of Intellectual Property MSc current fee £19,800
Followed by the IPReg-accredited advanced level (professional practice skills) course:
Nottingham Trent University - Trade Mark Practice Certificate current fee £9,300.
EXEMPTIONS
Exemptions are set out in Schedule 3 of the Rules for Examination and Admission. It is for the relevant university/examination board to verify if any exemptions apply to an individual's circumstance. IPReg cannot advise on or become involved in individual cases.
See above joint statement in relation to the European Qualifying Examinations.
The historic Joint Examination Board examinations and the pre-2013 course offers of the universities of Bournemouth, Brunel, Manchester, and Queen Mary are no longer recognised for the purposes of entry on to the IPReg register(s). If you wish to rely on these historic qualifications, you will need to apply to IPReg for their recognition on the basis of extenuating circumstances using the waiver application form (you must have an IPReg account to make this application so submit your application for registration first). Please see paragraph 12 of the Admission and Authorisation SOP. Annex 1 to the FAQs provides further information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have prepared a document containing Frequently Asked Questions which addresses many of the common questions we receive. Please refer to this document before getting in touch with IPReg to make an enquiry, as in many cases your question will be answered here.