Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Law School Clinic Certification Program

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Law School Clinic Certification Program

DATES:

To ensure consideration, you must submit comments regarding this information collection on or before May 7, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Law School Clinic Certification Program.

OMB Control Number: 0651-0081.

Abstract: Public Law 113-227 (Dec. 16, 2014) requires the USPTO to establish regulations and procedures for application to, and participation in the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program. The Program allows students enrolled in a participating law school's clinic to practice patent or trademark law before the USPTO under the direct supervision of an approved faculty clinic supervisor. Each clinic provides legal services on a pro bono basis for clients who qualify for assistance from the law school's clinic. By drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent and trademark applications, students gain valuable experience that would otherwise be unavailable to them while in law school. The program also facilitates the provision of pro bono services to patent and trademark applicants who lack the financial resources necessary for traditional legal representation. Currently, 74 law schools participate in the program.

This information collection covers the applications from law schools that wish to enter the program, faculty advisors who seek to become a faculty clinic supervisor, and students who seek to participate in this program. The collection also includes the required semi-annual reports from participating law school clinics and biennial renewals required by the program. With this renewal, the USPTO is renumbering the items within this information collection to match their current arrangement.

Forms: (LS=Law School)

• PTO-158LS (Application for Limited Recognition in USPTO Law School Program for Law Students to Practice Before the USPTO)

• PTO-159LS (Semi-Annual Law School Clinic Certification Program Reporting § 11.17(b) Requirements for Participation in the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program)
• PTO-160LS (Law School Clinic Certification Program Reporting)
• PTO-161LS (Application by Law School Faculty Member to Become a Faculty Clinic Supervisor)
• PTO-162LS (Law School Clinic Certification Program Renewal Application)

Type of Review: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection.

Affected Public: Private sector; Individuals or Households.

Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits.

Frequency: On occasion; semiannually; biennially.

Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 951 respondents.

Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,025 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that the responses in this information collection will take the public approximately 30 minutes (0.50 hours) to 30 hours to complete. This includes the time to gather the necessary information, create the document, and submit the completed item to the USPTO.

Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 1,330 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Respondent Non-Hourly Cost Burden: $61. The postage costs have increased since the publication of the 60-day Federal Register notice, from $12.10 to $12.25 for the Priority Mail legal flat rate envelope used for mailed submissions. The estimated postage costs equal $61.