To meet the high demands of the profession, aspiring patent attorneys have to complete a training of almost three years — after completing a university degree in natural sciences or engineering. However, the training can be waived if aspiring patent attorneys have already worked in an advisory or representative position as a patent administrator (Patentsachbearbeiterin/Patentsachbearbeiter) for (usually) 10 years. To be admitted as patent attorney by the Chamber of Patent Attorneys, the candidates need to pass the patent attorney examination. The German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) is responsible for all aspects of the training and examination.
Course of training
University degree
in science or engineering + one year of (work) experience in a field of technology
training
at a patent attorney’s office, at the DPMA and the Federal Patent Courtpatent attorney qualifying examination
written component (four exams), oral component
after passing the qualifying examination
you may call yourself “Patentassessorin” or “Patentassessor” (patent agent)
The patent attorney training follows a set order of phases that build upon each other and aim to prepare the candidates for this highly demanding profession. To be admitted to the training, a candidate must have a university degree in natural sciences or engineering and have at least one year of practical work experience in a technical job.
The patent attorney training consists of three phases:
First training phase: the first phase starts after the DPMA has admitted a candidate to the training and lasts at least 26 months. During this stage, the patent attorney candidates work in a patent law firm or in the patent department of a company to gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of the profession’s demands. At the same time, they also participate in regional study groups that are organised by the Chamber of Patent Attorneys and led by experienced patent attorneys.
Second training phase: the second phase takes place at the DPMA for two months. To gain practical experience in the two most important IP fields, the patent attorney candidates are assigned to a patent as well as a trade mark division for one month each.
Third training phase: the third and final phase of the patent attorney training (six months) is spent at the Federal Patent Court. For practical training, the future patent attorneys are assigned to a board of appeal for trade marks for two months and to a technical board of appeal for four months.
Alongside their training, they also need to take classes in general law – theses courses are usually taken at the FernUniversität in Hagen. This study programme serves to complete the theoretical training and as preparation for the final patent attorney examination.
For more detailed information about the training and examination of aspiring patent attorneys, please visit our website and the website of the Chamber of Patent Attorneys (Patentanwaltskammer, PAK).
The admission numbers for the patent attorney training increased significantly last year. This development is due to a greater interest in jobs in the field of IP and reflects the need for skilled personnel. In 2025, 164 people (last update: 22 January 2026) were admitted to the training — that is an increase of 38.0 per cent.
The same year, 141 candidates took the patent attorney examination. 113 of them had completed the training in the field of IP rights, and 28 were experienced patent administrators that signed up for the examination. In total, 126 people passed the examination.
| Grade | Participants (in %) |
|---|---|
| excellent | 0.0% |
| good | 0.0% |
| above satisfactory | 5.67% |
| satisfactory | 41.84% |
| sufficient | 41.84% |
| fail | 10.64% |
| Total | 100% |
Effective from 1 January 2025, the DPMA has newly appointed the examination board for patent attorneys for the term of office lasting until 31 December 2029. The board took up its duties at the beginning of the new year.
The new examination board consists of the chair, five deputy chairs, 20 judges from the Federal Patent Court as well as members of the DPMA and 86 patent attorneys or Patentassessorinnen/Patentassessoren.
Effective from 11 October 2025, the DPMA has also newly appointed the members of the vocational training committee for trained IP paralegals (Berufsbildungsausschuss für Patentanwaltsfachangestellte, BBiA). The term of the current vocational training committee runs until 10 October 2029.
The vocational training committee consists of six employers’ representatives, six employees’ representatives and six vocational school teachers. Each of the 18 members has a representative. The German Trade Union Confederation (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund) and RENO e. V., a special interest group for paralegals, including notary and IP paralegals, suggested the members for the employees’ side. The Chamber of Patent Attorneys made the suggestions for the employers’ side, while the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) proposed the teachers.
The vocational training committee for trained IP paralegals is responsible for ensuring the quality and timeliness of the training for IP paralegals and the final examination. It also continuously refines the training contents, examinations and the framework.