EPAC

In November 2025, the EPO announced that future exams will have a modular format, consisting of 4 modules. Candidates can take one or several modules at a time. If they pass a module, they get a diploma for the module. Once they have obtained all four diplomas, they are awarded the European Patent Administration Certificate. The program consists of the following modules:

EPAC Module 1
Patent law: EPC and PCT,
leading to a Diploma in patent administration under European and international patent law

EPAC Module 2
PCT procedures in filing, search and examination,
leading to a Diploma in patent grant procedure

EPAC Module 3
EPO procedures: post-grant, appeals, validation and UPC,
leading to a Diploma in post-grant and UPC procedures

EPAC Module 4
PCT procedure and entry into national/regional phases,
leading to a Diploma in PCT procedure

The new structure will be implemented from EPAC 2026 onwards.  Candidates preparing for the next EPAC cycle should monitor the EPAC page, where key dates for EPAC 2026 will be published in due course. The EPAC preparation course will open for registration in Q1 2026.

Facts:

• The EPO established an EPAC Board consisting of 6 EPO employees and 6 external experts. The board’s tasks include drafting and marking the exams. Of the 6 external experts, 3 are EPIPA board members:  Melanie Custers-van Spronsen (Dutch Platform Formalities Officers), Vicky Maynard (UK CIPA IP Paralegals Committee) and Anne Taucher (NAIPA).
• The exam is held yearly. The first exam took place in 2022.
• EPAC 2025 took place on 9 October 2025.
• Exams are held electronically via the Wiseflow system.
• The costs are € 100.
• The exam is offered in all three EPO languages. When enrolling, the candidate must choose an examination language. This choice cannot be changed later.
• Successful candidates receive a certificate issued by the EPO. A list of successful candidates is published on the website of the EPO.

There are no requirements for enrolling, but it is expected that in order to pass the exam, the candidate must have worked and gained knowledge as a patent paralegal or formalities officer for at least a few years.

Enrolment for EPO's training for EPAC candidates will take place in Q1/2026. Enrolment for the exam will take place from Q2/2026.

More information about the certification is available on the EPAC website.

For long, EPAC has been a major goal for us, not only for the national organizations but certainly also for EPIPA. In essence we need this important step and development to further distinguish ourselves as IP professionals.