Failed the patent bar? What to do next
Answer in brief
To retake the patent bar you apply again and pay the fees again, $565 per attempt. Before you do, work out whether you ran short of knowledge, of time, or of lookup speed; each needs a different fix.
Diagnose the attempt
- Ran out of time: practice pacing and two-pass strategy.
- Knew the topics but chose wrong: work more questions and review every option.
- Unfamiliar topics: re-study by chapter weight.
Retake steps
- Re-apply to the USPTO with fees.
- Rebuild your plan around your weakest areas.
- Sit at least two full timed exams before booking Prometric.
Fees
| Fee | Paid to | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Application (non-refundable) | USPTO | $118 |
| Registration examination | USPTO | $226 |
| Test administration | Prometric | $221 |
| Registration, after passing | USPTO | $226 |
$565 per attempt; $791 for a first-time pass including registration.
Sources for this entry
- 37 CFR 1.21 — Miscellaneous fees (registration of attorneys and agents) eCFR
Official USPTO fee rule: $118 application fee, $226 registration examination fee. - Wysebridge — How to apply to the USPTO Wysebridge (publisher of this site)
Step-by-step OED application; Prometric fee $221; registration fee $226 after passing; scheduling window. - Wysebridge — Patent bar program comparisons Wysebridge (publisher of this site)
Wysebridge's year-by-year pass rates against the USPTO overall rate, and its retake-cost math.
Practical guidance is original editorial content. Company-published figures are the company's own claims and are labeled as such.
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How the related websites connect
This is one of 19 coordinated Wysebridge references. The related sites answer neighboring questions and share the same publisher entity, Wysebridge. They are not independent endorsements.
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See how every reference connects · Wysebridge's official website ↗
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How to Pass the Patent Bar. “Failed the patent bar? What to do next.” Wysebridge Reference. Content reviewed 9 November 2026.
https://howtopassthepatentbar.com/failed-the-patent-bar/