USPTO Ends Accelerated Examination for Utility Applications
Summary
The USPTO will discontinue the Accelerated Examination program for utility patent applications effective July 10, 2025. The program will continue to be available for design applications. This change impacts how applicants can seek expedited examination for utility inventions.
What changed
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the discontinuation of the Accelerated Examination program for utility patent applications, with petitions no longer being accepted after July 10, 2025. This program, which allowed for expedited review of utility applications under certain conditions, will remain in effect for design applications. The final rule formalizing this change was published on June 10, 2025.
Affected parties, primarily manufacturers and inventors seeking patent protection for utility inventions, must now adjust their strategies for expedited examination. Petitions filed on or after July 10, 2025, for utility applications will not be granted. Applicants seeking faster examination for utility inventions can utilize the Track One program, which does not require an examination support document, or explore international worksharing arrangements. The USPTO has provided links to relevant forms and contact information for further inquiries.
What to do next
- Cease filing petitions for Accelerated Examination for utility applications after July 10, 2025.
- Consider alternative expedited examination options like the Track One program for utility inventions.
- Continue to utilize the Accelerated Examination program for design applications if applicable.
Source document (simplified)
info The USPTO will not accept petitions under the Accelerated Examination program filed on or after July 10, 2025, in utility applications. The Accelerated Examination program will remain in effect for design applications.
Please see our final rule published June 10, 2025.
Accelerated Examination
As of July 10, 2025, the Accelerated Examination Program is not available for utility applications. The Accelerated Examination program remains in effect for design applications. Any petition or request for reconsideration of a petition to make special under the Accelerated Examination program filed with a utility application on or after July 10, 2025, will not be granted, irrespective of the filing date and time of any prior Accelerated Examination petition and without regard to the USPTO's determination that applicant was afforded an opportunity to correct a prior deficient Accelerated Examination petition under the program.
Prior to July 10, 2025, petitions to make special for inventions enhancing the quality of the environment, contributing to the development or conservation of energy resources, or contributing to countering terrorism would have been granted if the petition complied with the requirements of the Accelerated Examination program, including performing a pre-examination search and drafting an examination support document. Applicants can still receive expedited examination of their applications directed to these inventions, or any other utility invention, without having to prepare and file an examination support document by taking advantage of the Track One program.
Visit the patent worksharing webpage for information on arrangements with foreign intellectual property offices that improve patent examination efficiency, facilitate cooperation within the global patent system, and make it easier for U.S. applicants to obtain patents in foreign jurisdictions.
Federal Register Notices
- Discontinuation of the Accelerated Examination Program for Utility Applications, 90 Fed. Reg. 24324 (June 10, 2025)
- Changes in Accelerated Examination Practice, 81 Fed. Reg. 54564 (August 16, 2016) [PDF]
- Changes to Practice for Petitions in Patent Applications To Make Special and for Accelerated Examination, 71 Fed. Reg. 36323 (June 26, 2006) [PDF]
File On-Line via Patent Center
- Patent Center - for filing, follow-on processing, managing applications, checking the status on and viewing associated documents for patent applications and more
- Form SB/28 (Petition to Make Special Under Accelerated Examination Program Form) [PDF]
- Form SB/28 with sample information [PDF]
Contacts
* * * * *
The following Resources, Guidelines, Samples and Tips to Consider When Drafting an AE Submission remain available as a reference and to the extent applicable to any design application and to utility applications that were made special under the Accelerated Examination Program prior to July 10, 2025.
These documents were drafted with a focus on utility applications but remain informative for design applications in the context of the Accelerated Examination Program.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions [PDF] [updated March 28, 2018]
Guidelines
- Guidelines for Applicants under the Accelerated Examination Procedure [PDF] [updated August 16, 2016]
- Basic Search Strategy [PPT]
- PCT Minimum Documentation
Samples
Tips to Consider When Drafting an AE Submission
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