Candidates sit first-ever European patent administration certification

14 December 2022

The first-ever European patent
administration certification (EPAC) examination took place on
12 December 2022. More than 500 candidates from 33 countries sat the online
examination, highlighting the global demand for such a certification and the
convenience of digital testing. Once the marking is complete, the results will be
issued and the inaugural candidates will be awarded their certificates.

The EPAC enables paralegals, patent
administrators and formalities officers to demonstrate that they have acquired
the knowledge and skills necessary to deal with the procedures associated with
the filing, prosecution, grant and maintenance of European and international
patent applications before the EPO, as well as post-grant administrative
procedures.

Currently, paralegals and
administrative staff working in intellectual property rights have limited choices
when it comes to certification schemes. With the establishment of EPAC, these
IP professionals now have an extra option to prove their competencies. Candidates
prepared by participating in a mock examination, attending lectures, reviewing
the seminar recordings or completing an e-learning module. From 2023, those who
intend to sit the annual examination can join a seminar series and download a
series of e-books as they work towards a high-quality certification.

In developing this project, the EPO
has relied on the invaluable support of the epi, the European Platform of
Intellectual Property Administrators and national offices with experience of
training and certification in the field.