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(Message started by: Guest on Jun 4^th, 2006, 9:29am)

Title: Patent Bar Exam: BA versus BS
Post by Guest on Jun 4^th, 2006, 9:29am

Is a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry sufficient to qualify for the patent bar exam under Category A? The requirements just say a "Bachelor's degree" without specifying BA versus BS. I should qualify under Category B regardless (40 hours of chemistry, physics, and biology combined), but option B seems like more a pain if Category A is satisfied. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Title: Re: Patent Bar Exam: BA versus BS
Post by RMissimer on Jun 4^th, 2006, 10:09am

I feel for you. But the only way to really find out is by submitting an application.

I went to UW-Madison (for Computer Science) and I found that UW is not approved by the USPTO. I then had to submit all of my school info and a letter justifying them letting me sit for the exam.

Because I went to a quarterly school for my engineering degree they wouldn't take the credits straight, and I had to retake physics 1 & 2. This was after I already had 2 BSs and 1 MSE.

When I completed all that I was allowed to sit for the exam only after having a Washington DC attorney look into the matter. I got my letter a few days after his visit to them.

I wish you well with this.

Title: Re: Patent Bar Exam: BA versus BS
Post by RMissimer on Jun 4^th, 2006, 10:15am

Just a side note: I am not sure all the trouble was worth the work. If you are already working as an engineer with the average payrate associated with a few years experience, then you are already paid more than a patent agent gets.

If however you want the freedom that comes from being independant, well that will cost you something.

I will graduate from lawschool in a few weeks. The cost has been $90k+. Students not in the upper 10-15% will not get jobs that pay this back. If they graduated with IP Law as a specialty, then they are more likely to get a job at a firm then a patent agent.

What I am saying is that you are likely to take a cut in pay, for more than or the same effort on your part. Is that what you are expecting ?

Title: Re: Patent Bar Exam: BA versus BS
Post by BTP on Jun 5^th, 2006, 11:00am

Received a B.A. in Chemistry from Vanderbilt in 1992 and was allowed to sit for the exam in 2005.

Any Bachelor's degree is equivalent for USPTO purposes, as long as it's an approved major.

Title: Re: Patent Bar Exam: BA versus BS
Post by Wolfcastle on Jun 6^th, 2006, 4:06pm

I have a BA in chemistry and qualified under Catagory A in March 2006.

Title: Re: Patent Bar Exam: BA versus BS
Post by StillinCollege on Jul 8^th, 2006, 11:03am

Is a Swarthmore B.S. in General Engineering ok for it?

Title: Re: Patent Bar Exam: BA versus BS
Post by Wolfcastle on Jul 8^th, 2006, 11:44am

General Engineering is one of the majors listed for catagory A:

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/dcom/olia/oed/grb15nov05.pdf