Introductory Certificate in Patent Administration
These regulations are effective from 18 May 2016.
Qualification purpose
This Patent Examination Board qualification covers the underlying principles, the essential legal background, and the practice of Patent and Design Administration.
The examination tests the understanding and application of the skills required in the formalities role.
Syllabus for the examination
The ICPA syllabus gives details of the content of the course and the examination for this qualification.
Eligibility
The ICPA Eligibility Policy can be read here.
Application for candidacy
Applications to take the examination must be submitted using the PEB ICPA Registration Form, and applications are subject to the PEB Registration, Payment and Refund Policy, and the PEB Late Examination Entry Policy.
The correctly completed application form and the correct fee must be received by the PEB by the stated examination registration closing date.
Reasonable Adjustments
The PEB seeks to ensure fair and equal access to its examinations and operates a Reasonable Adjustments Policy. Details can be found here.
Policies and procedures
The PEB ICPA examination is subject to all these regulations and the PEB policies and procedures. In applying to take the PEB ICPA, a candidate is agreeing to be bound by both these regulations and all the PEB policies and procedures.
Exemptions
The ICPA Exemptions Policy can found here. Dates and frequency of examinations
The PEB ICPA examination will normally be offered once a year. Actual dates will be published here in accordance with the PEB Publishing Key Dates Policy.
Disruption to an examination
Should an examination be so disrupted that a meaningful outcome is not possible, the PEB may declare the examination void, and will seek to make alternative arrangements for affected candidates.
Fees
Fees for the examination are published on the PEB website.
Resitting the examination
Please read the PEB Examination Resit Policy for details about resitting the IPAC examination.
Enquiries about Results
Any candidate who has failed an examination may choose to apply for an Enquiry about Result in accordance with the stated policy and procedure on the PEB website.
Quality assurance and governance of the PEB ICPA
The ICPA examination is administered by the PEB, and is subject to the scrutiny of the PEB Governance Board, in accordance with its governance and quality assurance policies and processes.
These include a range of assessment-related issues including the quality of question paper setting, the quality of marking, and the monitoring of standards over time.
Customer Feedback Policy
The PEB welcomes customer feedback via its Customer Feedback Policy.
Appeals
The PEB investigates appeals against administrative decisions in accordance with its Appeals Policy.
Communications
All communications under these regulations should be addressed to:
The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, 2nd Floor Halton House
20 – 23 Holborn
London
EC1N 2JD