June 22, 2004
Final rules for implementing the computerized registration examination
are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday,
June 24, 2004. A new General Requirements Bulletin, including
a new application form, will be posted on the OED link of the
Office website the same day. Persons seeking registration must
complete and file the new application form. Use of outdated applications
forms will delay processing. Beginning Friday, June 25, 2004,
applications and fees can be filed for processing. Applications
must contain an applicant’s original personal signature
in permanent ink. Therefore, the application forms may be submitted
by mail or hand-delivered in accordance with address instructions
in the Bulletin, as opposed to being submitted by facsimile.
The Office of Enrollment and Discipline will process the applications
as they are received. Applicants satisfying the qualification
requirements will be notified in writing of their admission to
the examination. They will be instructed when and how to communicate
with Thomson Prometric to arrange to take the examination. Administration
of the examination will begin on Monday, July 26, 2004, and continue
each business day thereafter.
Applicants should note that Revision 2 of the 8th Edition of
the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) was recently
released. However, until further notice, the registration examination
will be based on Revision 1 of the 8th Edition of the MPEP.
To implement the computerized examination, it has been necessary
to change rules regarding fees and enrollment procedures. A notice
of proposed rulemaking to make those changes was published in
the Federal Register on December 12, 2003, which set a sixty-day
period for comments. Due to the large number of comments received
in reply to the proposed rulemaking, additional time was required
to identify, review and address all comments pertaining to the
enrollment aspects in the proposed rules.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation, patience, and generous
understanding.
Harry I. Moatz
Director of Enrollment and Discipline
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