USPTO Increases Prioritized Patent Examination Requests Limit
Summary
Effective July 8, 2025, the USPTO has increased the annual limit for prioritized patent examination requests from 15,000 to 20,000. This change aims to expedite the patent process for a larger number of applicants seeking faster review of their utility and plant patent applications.
What changed
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced an increase in the annual limit for prioritized examination requests under its Track One program. Effective July 8, 2025, the USPTO will accept up to 20,000 prioritized examination requests per fiscal year, an increase from the previous limit of 15,000. This rule, published in the Federal Register, aims to further expedite the patent application process for innovators seeking a final disposition within approximately twelve months.
Companies and individuals seeking to fast-track their patent applications should be aware of this increased capacity. While the program is available for a fee, the higher limit may provide more opportunities for applicants to utilize this expedited review process. The USPTO provides a dedicated form, FAQs, and statistics to assist applicants in understanding and utilizing the Track One program.
What to do next
- Review USPTO's Prioritized Patent Examination Program details for potential utilization.
- Note the increased annual limit of 20,000 requests effective July 8, 2025.
Source document (simplified)
info Effective July 8, 2025, the USPTO increased the limit on the number of prioritized examination requests that it may accept in a fiscal year from 15,000 to 20,000. Please see our final rule **** published July 8, 2025.
USPTO's Prioritized Patent Examination Program
Need to FAST track your patent? Use Track One!
Effective July 8, 2025, the USPTO increased the limit on the number of prioritized examination requests that it may accept in a fiscal year from 15,000 to 20,000.
Fast innovation is America's competitive edge. If you need to move your ideas quickly, USPTO's Track One prioritized examination will allow you to get a final disposition within about twelve months. The USPTO offers Track One for prioritized examination of your utility and plant patent applications. Track One gives your application special status with fewer requirements than the current accelerated examination program and without having to perform a pre-examination search.
Prioritized examination is available for a fee at the time of filing an original utility or plant application. A single request for prioritized examination may be granted for a Request for Continued Examination (RCE) in a plant or utility application.
Tens of thousands of applicants have used Track One already. Join them on the prioritized examination FAST track!
Form, FAQs, and Notices
- Prioritized Examination Request Form PTO/AIA/424
- Prioritized Examination Frequently Asked Questions
- 2025 Increase of the Annual Limit on Accepted Requests for Prioritized Examination (90 Fed. Reg. 29990, July 8, 2025)
- Patent Center Quick Start Guide for Track One Prioritized Examination (September 2024)
- 2021 Increase of the Annual Limit on Accepted Requests for Track One Prioritized Examination (86 Fed. Reg. 52988, September 24, 2021)
- Prioritized Examination Increase in Annual Limit to 12,000 Accepted Requests Interim Rule (84 Fed. Reg. 45907, September 3, 2019)
- Changes to Permit Delayed Submission of Certain Requirements for Prioritized Examination Interim Rule (79 Fed. Reg. 12386, March 5, 2014)
- Prioritized Examination (RCE) Final Rule (76 Fed. Reg. 78566, December 19, 2011)
- Prioritized Examination (Track One) Final Rule (76 Fed. Reg. 59050, September 23, 2011)
Statistics for prioritized examination
Up-to-date statistics for Track One can be found on the USPTO Dashboard.
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