Glossary
- Patent agent
- A non-lawyer registered by the USPTO to prepare and prosecute patent applications.
- Patent examiner
- A USPTO employee who reviews patent applications and decides whether to allow them.
- Category A
- USPTO eligibility route for applicants holding a listed science or engineering degree.
- Category B
- USPTO eligibility route for other degrees backed by qualifying science and engineering coursework.
- Category C
- USPTO eligibility route through passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.
- OED
- The USPTO's Office of Enrollment and Discipline, which approves applications and registers practitioners.