EQE - European qualifying examination

The EQE is designed to establish whether the candidate has the requisite aptitude and knowledge to represent applicants before the EPO. Candidates need to be particularly conversant with European patent law, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Paris Convention, EPO board of appeal case law and certain national laws in so far as they apply to European patent applications and European patents. The content of the examination only relates to legal texts which were in force on 31 October of the year preceding the examination.

The Regulation on the European qualifying examination (REE 2025) its Implementing provisions (IPREE 2025) entering into force on 1 January 2025 can be found here.

The EQE, usually held once a year, comprises five papers:

• Paper F tests declarative knowledge in procedural patent law and claim analysis. F is held for the first time in 2025.
• Paper M1 assesses whether candidates can carry out tasks relating to the analysis and assessment of information and evaluate and act on instructions from a client. M1 will be held for the first time in 2026.
• Paper M2 examines whether candidates are capable of applying procedural and substantive patent law of the EPC and the PCT. It assesses whether candidates are familiar with all procedures established by the EPC and the PCT and with the procedural law. M2 will be held for the first time in 2026.
• Paper M3 establishes whether candidates possess the required skills to analyse, execute and create patent documentation and submissions. It consists of three parts, addressing the drafting of claims, the response to Office actions and opposition. M3 will be held for the first time in 2027.
• Paper M4 assesses candidates’ competence to advise the client and provide an answer in the form of a legal opinion responding to an enquiry. M4 will be held for the first time in 2027.

The timeline for the progressive introduction of the papers can be found here.

To take the five papers, candidates are required to have performed the professional activities for one year in the case of paper F, for two years in the cases of papers M1 and M2, and for three years in the cases of papers M3 and M4.

Candidates may use any books and documents they consider useful for answering the examination papers.

On 1 January 2025 the regulation on the EQE will enter into force. To facilitate a seamless conversion for candidates who sat a paper under the REE 2009, transitional measures have been implemented as well as a roll-out schedule:

• In 2025, paper F will be launched, and no pre-examination will be held.
• In 2026 the main exam papers (A, B, C and D) will be held for the last time, alongside new papers M1 and M2.
• In 2027 the fully-fledged EQE papers M1, M2, M3 and M4 will be in place.

Furthermore, a detailed system of exemption (with and without pre-examination) between the present and future papers and the corresponding results has been established and laid down in the REE 2025.

The Regulation on the European qualifying examination (REE 2009) and its Implementing provisions (IPREE 2019) can be found here.

The notice from the Examination Secretariat concerning the enrolment for the EQEs 2025 and 2026 can be found here.

Only registered candidates can enrol. More information can be found in the section below under "registration as candidate".

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a scientific or technical qualification - for example, in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, electronics, pharmacology or physics.
Decisions on qualifications are based on Article 11(1)(a) of the Regulation on the European qualifying examination (REE) and Rules 11 to 14 of the Implementing provisions to the REE (IPREE).

Professional activity

At the date of the examination, candidates must have fulfilled the required period of training under the supervision of a professional representative or as an employee dealing with patent matters in an industrial company established in one of the contracting states.
The mandatory practical training is very important, since a great deal of the knowledge required by a European patent attorney is gained during this period. During this period the candidates must take part in a wide range of activities pertaining to patent applications or patents.
Only periods of professional activity completed after the required qualifications were obtained are taken into account. The training period must be completed at the date of the examination.

Registration (Rule 28 IPREE)

It is compulsory for EQE candidates to register at the beginning of their professional activities and training. Candidates who have not registered in time, cannot enrol to the EQE.

Notice from the Examination Secretariat - Registration pursuant to Rule 28 IPREE

Who has to register and by when?

All candidates who, according to Article 11(2) REE have started

• training under the supervision of a professional representative, or
• to represent their employer before the EPO, or
• to perform duties of an examiner at the EPO,

and who

• intend to enrol to the EQE for the first time or
• have requested enrolment to the EQE in the past and were not admitted,

must register.
Candidates are expected to register shortly after starting their professional training.
Deadline for compulsory registration prior to enrolment for the foundation paper F 2025 is 28 May 2024. See OJ EPO 2024, A26

How do I register?

The registration must be done via the EQC portal.
Candidates should have the following documents ready at hand:

• certified copy of valid ID or passport;
• certified copy of academic qualifications (ie diploma certificate and transcript of records).

Please refer to the FAQs for further details on certification of documents. A request for registration can only be submitted after all required supporting documents have been uploaded.

The dates of each examination paper can be found under "Schedule".  

Compulsory registration

Enrolment to the foundation paper F 2025 will only be open for candidates who have registered at the latest by 28 May 2024. See OJ EPO 2024, A26.

All information can be found under "Registration as candidate".
 

Enrolment periods

1. Foundation paper F 2025

Candidates may enrol as from 8 July 2024. Applications must be submitted no later than 23 September 2024 via the EQC portal. 

2. Main examination 2025 (Papers A, B, C and D)

Candidates may enrol as from 8 July 2024. Applications must be submitted no later than 23 September 2024 via the EQC portal.

Enrolment process and fees

Candidates must observe the enrolment procedure and pay the respective fees as laid down in the following document:

Enrolment process and fees for the EQE 2025.
Certain candidates can request a fee subsidy (eligibility criteria apply).

The EQE is held online and can be taken at any suitable location chosen by the candidate. The examination system Wiseflow is used (https://europe.wiseflow.net/). Proctoring is based on image and audio recording, monitoring candidates using artificial intelligence, complemented by human invigilation.

Complaint concerning the conduct of the examination

Results of the survey concerning the European qualifying examination 2023

Results of the survey concerning the European qualifying examination 2022

Results of the survey concerning the European qualifying examination 2021