GDIPIM/MIPIM pre-requisite1. Why implement this pre-requisite for QE enrolment?
The pre-requisite of passing corresponding modules prior to enrolling for the relevant QE papers aims to have prospective QE candidates better prepared for the examinations.
2. What documents do I need to submit to enrol for QE?
a) For candidates who have passed GCIP or the GDIPIM/MIPIM module(s) corresponding to the QE paper(s) they are enrolling in, documents to show that they have passed the relevant course/module(s), e.g., official transcript, notification of results from the school.
b) For candidates who are currently taking the GDIPIM/MIPIM module(s) corresponding to the QE paper(s) they are enrolling in, documents showing that they have passed the relevant module(s). These documents must be submitted to IPOS by 27 December 2022;
c) For candidates who intend to seek an exemption of the requirement set out in Rule 6 of the Patents (Patent Agents) Rules 2001 to pass GCIP, GDIPIM or MIPIM, documents to show that they passed a course or module they see as equivalent to GCIP, GDIPIM or MIPIM.
3. I have already passed Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property (GCIP). Will the pre-requisite apply to me?
No. The pre-requisite is not applicable to candidates who have already passed Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law (GCIP).
4. What are the modules in the Graduate Diploma in IP and Innovation Management (GDIPIM) and the Master of IP and Innovation Management (MIPIM) that will prepare candidates for QE?
GDIPIM/MIPIM Patent Agency modules | Prepares candidates for QE |
IPM527 – Patent Claims | Paper A |
IPM529 – Patent Applications | Paper A |
IPM525 – Patent Office Action | Paper B |
IPM531 – Patent Infringement and Validity | Paper C |
IPM523 – Patent Practice Singapore | Paper D |
5. I have worked as a Patent Examiner in Singapore for at least 7 years and am pursuing registration as a patent agent under Rule 6(3) of the Patents Patent Agents) Rules 2001. Will the pre-requisite apply to me?
Under Rule 6(3), you are only required to pass QE Papers A and C. As such, the pre-requisite applies to you in relation to these two papers. In order to enrol for QE Papers A and C, you will first have to pass the corresponding GDIPIM/MIPIM modules, namely IPM527 – Patent Claims and IPM529 – Patent Applications, and IPM531 – Patent Infringement and Validity, respectively.
6. I have already passed all the GDIPIM/MIPIM modules except for IPM523. I attempted Paper D at past QEs but have yet to pass the paper. I intend to take Paper D again at QE 2022. Can I do so?
You will be able to enrol for Paper D at QE 2022, only if you have passed IPM523 at the time of enrolment for QE 2022.
Candidates are encouraged to attempt QE only after undergoing a minimum of one-year internship in patent agency work. Together with the modules, these will provide candidates with the knowledge and practical work experience to attempt QE. There is, however, no requirement that you need to attempt these papers, or any other combination of papers, in one QE sitting.
7. I have already passed GCIP. Can I take specific modules to help me better prepare for QE?
Yes. Each of these 5 modules can be taken as Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses offered by SUSS.
8. I am currently taking GDIPIM/MIPIM module IPM 525 and I intend to take QE Paper B at QE 2022. I will only know if I passed IPM 525 in early December 2022. Can I still enrol for Paper B?
You should first enrol and subsequently complete the enrolment process by submitting document(s) showing that you have passed IPM 525. The documents should be submitted by 27 December 2022. In the event you subsequently did not manage to pass IPM 525, you will be entitled to a refund of the examination fee for Paper B.
Fees
1. Why is there a need for a 2-tier examination fee structure?
The 2-tier fee structure will encourage candidates to sit for the QE when they feel that they are sufficiently prepared for the QE.
2. I attempted Paper D in 2019 and 2020, and Papers A and B in 2021. I intend to take Paper C at QE 2022. As QE 2022 is my fourth attempt, do I have to pay the Tier 2 fee for Paper C?
No, you do not have to pay the Tier-2 examination fee at QE 2022. The QE attempt count under the new 2-tier examination fee structure starts only from QE 2022, therefore QE 2022 will count as your first QE attempt. As such, the applicable examination fee is the Tier-1 fee of $642 (inclusive of GST).
3. I am not sure how the new 2-tier examination fee structure works. Can you tell me more?
The new examination fee structure will start counting the number of QE attempts only from QE 2022 onwards. This means that any attempt at a QE prior to QE 2022 will not count as an attempt under this examination fee structure.
The table below will help illustrate this:
QE Year | Papers attempted | Examination Fee (per paper) | Remarks |
2018 | Papers A and C | $428 | - |
2019 | Paper A | $428 | - |
2020 | Did not attempt QE | - | - |
2021 | Paper A | $428 | - |
2022 (to be held in Jan 2023) | Paper D | $642 | Though this is the candidate’s fourth QE attempt, this is the candidate’s first attempt for fees’ purposes. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. |
2023 | Paper D | $642 | For fees’ purposes, this is the candidate’s second QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. |
2024 | Paper B | $642 | For fees’ purposes, this is the candidate’s third QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-1 fee will apply. |
2025 | Paper B | $1,284 | For fees’ purposes, this is the candidate’s fourth QE attempt. Therefore, Tier-2 fee will apply. |