The U.S. BLS notes that patent practitioners, whether they are agents or attorneys, must hold a license with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to represent inventors in patent proceedings. Prospective patent agents must apply with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and pass a registration exam. Before taking the exam, future patent agents must fulfill the office's educational requirements to obtain a license. This includes a bachelor's or master's degree in a scientific or technical area that the office recognizes as acceptable, such as biology, chemistry, physics, pharmacology, engineering or textile technology. If the candidate doesn't choose an accepted degree, he must prove that he has the scientific and technical education to work as a patent agent. This includes taking the requisite number of course credit hours in scientific subjects. If you want to become a patent agent, you can opt for an accredited and approved online degree program that meets the Patent and Trademark Office's criteria.
If you're on the track to become a patent agent, but don't have a college degree in an accepted scientific discipline, you can opt for the distance education version of an on-campus program. If you don't have a degree at all, you'll need to start at the bachelor's level. Students who have a bachelor's in a non-science or non-accepted area can pursue a master's. For example, the University of Nebraska offers a Master of Science in biology through its eCampus online program. This type of online program includes coursework in biology, bioethics, evolution, mycology, immunology and genetics, providing future patent agents with the scientific skills to understand biology-related inventions.
Although patent agents, unlike patent attorneys, don't need a law degree, taking online courses on the legal patent process can help your professional practice. Taking a distance learning class on patent law at a college or university extension services department can provide you with key insight that will inform your career decisions. For example, the University of California, Irvine Extension offers an online patent law and procedure course that is designed for non-law students. This class, like other similar online offerings, includes content in patent law, procedures, preparation and prosecution.
Before taking your patent agent registration exam, you may want to go back to school and take a refresher class on the patent process. Educational organizations and Web-based instructional agencies offer patent agent exam prep in a distance learning or online form. For example, websites such as Omni Prep and PatentAgentExam.net offer online preparation programs. These websites provide instruction on the exam content as well as practice tests that will help students to better understand what they are facing.