Only registered candidates can enrol. More information can be found under registration as candidate.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
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.
At the date of the examination, candidates must have trained for three years (two years for the pre-examination) 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.
EPO examiners may enrol for the EQE if they have performed the duties of examiner for at least four years (three for the pre-examination).
The fee payable depends on the number of papers for which the candidate enrols. The basic fee is currently 200 EUR.
The EQE is usually held once a year. A notice indicating the examination dates and the closing dates for enrolment is published on this website and in the Official Journal.
