Exam Registration
Once the USPTO OED approves your application and issues a Notice to Schedule, here is exactly how to book your exam, what to expect on test day, and how to handle rescheduling if needed.
Prometric
Test provider
prometric.com
Year-round
Availability
Mon–Sat at most centers
~8 hours
Exam day length
Including breaks and check-in
30 days
Reschedule deadline
Before appointment to avoid fee
You need your Notice to Schedule (NTS) before you can book
The USPTO OED must approve your registration application and issue a Notice to Schedule before you can register with Prometric. The NTS contains your candidate ID and authorization code — both required to book your exam. The NTS is valid for one year from the date of issuance. If it expires before you test, you must apply for a new NTS and pay the associated fee.
How to apply for the exam →Go to prometric.com
Navigate to prometric.com and use the 'Schedule My Test' function. Search for 'USPTO' or 'Patent Bar' to find the correct exam listing. The formal exam name in Prometric's system is 'United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) — Patent Bar Exam.'
Enter your NTS credentials
You will be prompted for your candidate ID and the authorization code from your Notice to Schedule. Enter both exactly as they appear on your NTS — these are case-sensitive. If the system does not accept your credentials, contact Prometric support before contacting OED, as the issue is usually a data entry error.
Choose your test center or online proctored option
Prometric has thousands of test centers nationwide. Enter your zip code to find the nearest location with available appointments. The exam is also available via online proctored delivery (OnVUE) for eligible candidates — you take the exam at home with a live proctor monitoring via webcam. Check the USPTO OED website for current online proctoring availability, as policies can change.
Select your date and time
The exam is available Monday through Saturday at most centers, year-round. Availability varies by location. You can book weeks or months in advance. Give yourself enough preparation time — most candidates need 60–100 hours of focused study after submitting their OED application. Do not book before you are ready.
Pay the exam fee and confirm
The exam fee is separate from the OED application fee. Pay with a credit or debit card on the Prometric website. After payment, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details, candidate ID, and the test center address. Save this — you will need it on exam day.
Prometric's rescheduling and cancellation policies are tied to how far in advance you act relative to your appointment date.
Verify current Prometric policies at prometric.com — fees and timelines are subject to change.
Arrive 30 minutes early
Prometric recommends arriving 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Late arrivals may be turned away and forfeit their exam fee. Bring your confirmation email (printed or on your phone) and two forms of acceptable ID.
Acceptable identification
You must present two forms of ID: one primary (government-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver's license) and one secondary (credit card, student ID, or another government-issued document). Both must show your name as it appears on your registration. The names must match exactly — a discrepancy can result in being denied entry.
What you cannot bring in
No personal items are permitted in the testing room: no phones, no study materials, no notes, no watches, no food or drink (unless medically necessary with prior approval). You will be given scratch paper and a pencil. All belongings go into a locker provided by the test center.
The exam interface
The exam runs in Prometric's proprietary software. The left pane shows the question with five answer choices; the right pane contains the searchable MPEP. You can flag questions for review, navigate freely between questions within a session, and adjust font size. The AM session must be completed before the PM session begins — there is a break between them.
Scores and results
Your score is displayed on screen immediately after completing the PM session. A passing score is 70% (70 of 100 correct). The Prometric screen will show pass/fail and your numeric score. Official score reports are sent to OED, which then issues a registration certificate to candidates who pass.
Having a scheduled date is the single biggest motivator to study. Set the date first, then get to work.