Patent Agent Status

A patent is government-sponsored protection given to an inventor that precludes others from producing, using, or selling an invention without permission during a designated period of time.

A patent agent negotiates patent agreements, drafts them, and prepares documents for processing and filing. He or she may liaison with both product developers and their legal team to make sure filing is done properly.

The average salary for a patent agent is $90,000.

Patent Bar Exam Requirements

To take the patent bar exam, students must either have a bachelor’s degree in a subject such as Biology, or possess the equivalent scientific and technical training.

Option A

The following degrees offered at Kent State, paired with Paralegal Studies, qualify students to take the patent bar exam.

  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Botany
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

Option B

The following options establish that the student possesses scientific and technical training equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

  • 24 hours in physics
  • 8 hours in chemistry, 8 hours in physics, and
 24 hours in biology, botany, microbiology, or molecular biology.
  • 30 hours in chemistry

B.A. in Paralegal Studies/B.A. in Biology

Students can complete a double major in paralegal studies and biology in only four years. Biochemistry and Pre-Med majors only need to take three additional courses in Paralegal Studies to complete the double major.  Completing this double major provides the opportunity for a graduate to become a patent agent.