Is Wysebridge right for me?
Who Wysebridge is for
Engineers. Scientists. Attorneys. Career changers. If you have a qualifying technical background and want to practice before the USPTO, this program was built for you.
- 81%
- first-attempt pass rate
- Wysebridge average, 2012–2025
- 6,000+
- students since 2012
- No law background required
- Built for working professionals
Engineers & Scientists
The typical Wysebridge student: technically trained, zero prior patent law experience.
If you hold a degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, software, biomedical, or any other engineering discipline — or a hard science like chemistry, physics, or biology — you almost certainly qualify to sit for the patent bar under Category A. No law background required. Wysebridge was built for exactly this audience. Our curriculum assumes strong technical instincts and teaches you the specific MPEP rules that define every question on the exam. Wysebridge builds a study plan around your exam date, taking engineers from unfamiliar with prosecution procedure to exam-ready.
A fit if you have
- BSEE, BSME, BSCS, BSMS, BSChE, or any accredited engineering degree
- BS in chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, or related science
- MS, PhD, or professional experience in a qualifying technical field
- Working full-time — the study planner adapts to your exam date and schedule
Other common paths
Law Students & Attorneys
Adding the highest credential in patent practice to an existing law career.
If you're in law school or already a licensed attorney and hold a qualifying technical undergraduate degree, passing the patent bar makes you a registered patent attorney — the highest credential in patent prosecution. Wysebridge is used by both law students preparing early and practicing attorneys adding patent prosecution to their practice. Our content focuses entirely on MPEP procedure, not law school doctrine. Everything you need to pass is already in the MPEP; Wysebridge shows you what to study and in what order.
- JD candidates with a qualifying technical undergraduate degree
- Licensed attorneys expanding into patent prosecution
- Judicial clerks and IP paralegals adding practitioner credentials
Career Changers
Using a technical background to enter one of the most durable careers in law.
Patent agents and attorneys command strong salaries and work in one of the most specialized, durable practice areas in law. If you spent years as an engineer or researcher and want to move into intellectual property work — at a law firm, in-house at a tech or pharma company, or independently as a solo practitioner — the patent bar is the gateway credential. Wysebridge's self-paced format is designed around busy professionals managing a full-time job while preparing. Your study plan is built around your exam date and weekly availability, with 4-, 8- and 12-week options.
- Engineers or scientists with 2+ years of industry experience
- Researchers considering IP law or licensing work
- Professionals preparing to leave technical roles for law firms or in-house positions
PhD & Graduate Researchers
High-demand expertise, especially in biotech, pharma, and materials science prosecution.
Graduate researchers in chemistry, biology, materials science, and related fields are in exceptionally high demand as patent practitioners — particularly in biotech and pharmaceutical prosecution, where understanding the science underlying a patent application is as important as knowing the legal procedure. Many Wysebridge students come from research backgrounds and find the MPEP's rule-driven, methodical structure familiar. We've helped researchers at every level — postdocs, lab heads, and academic faculty — add this credential.
- MS and PhD candidates in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or related fields
- Academic researchers exploring IP-adjacent career paths
- Industry R&D professionals at biotech, pharma, or materials companies
Eligibility
Not sure if you qualify?
The USPTO requires a qualifying technical degree or credential to sit for the patent bar. Read our full eligibility guide for a breakdown of Category A and Category B qualifications — including alternative paths for candidates without a traditional degree.
Pass rates by year
2021–2025| Year | USPTO overall | Wysebridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 45% | 79% | +34 pp |
| 2022 | 46% | 81% | +35 pp |
| 2023 | 46% | 80% | +34 pp |
| 2024 | 49% | 80% | +31 pp |
| 2025 | 46% | 78% | +32 pp |
“The Wysebridge Patent Bar Review materials were very helpful in my patent bar preparation. Because some of the material was known to be repeated on the exams, I was able to focus more time on those. I studied for two months while working full time at a law firm and I passed the first time. I credit passing the first time to Wysebridge.”
Built for working professionals.
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Try PRO free for 5 days. You're not billed until day 5.