Historical Reference: USPTO First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program

Fast-Track to Innovation - Discover Expedited Patent Examination in Just 28 Days
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The USPTO’s First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program expired on March 11, 2025.  Read below for current patent application acceleration options.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched the First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program in March 2023 to encourage participation in the patent system by individuals and small businesses new to the process. The program was designed to accelerate the timeline for receiving a first office action—offering a dramatic reduction from the average 16-month wait to just 28 days for eligible applicants.

Program Overview

The First-Time Filer Program was a temporary pilot that provided first-time utility patent applicants who qualified for micro entity status with a free, expedited examination process. It aimed to increase accessibility to the patent system, particularly for inventors from historically underserved regions.

To qualify, applicants had to:

  • Be a first-time filer (no prior U.S. nonprovisional patent applications),
  • Qualify as a micro entity based on income,
  • Submit a new, original utility nonprovisional patent application, and
  • Not claim foreign priority or be part of a continuing application.

Program Conclusion

This pilot was limited to 1,000 granted petitions or until March 11, 2025, whichever came first. The program is now closed. The USPTO has not yet announced a permanent replacement but continues to offer several other acceleration options.

Current Ways to Accelerate a Patent Application

Although the First-Time Filer program has ended, inventors still have multiple options to speed up the patent examination process:

Free USPTO Acceleration Programs

  • Petition to Make Special – Age: For applicants over 65.
  • Petition to Make Special – Health: For applicants with a health condition.
  • Petition to Make Special – Other Grounds: For inventions in key technology areas (e.g., environmental quality, energy).
  • TrackOne (Utility Patents): A prioritized examination program with a goal of final disposition within 12 months.
  • Rocket Docket (Design Patents): An expedited examination process for design patent applications.

International Acceleration

  • Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH): A collaborative fast-track system between patent offices worldwide that allows applicants to reuse favorable examination results from another participating country.

Need to Accelerate Your Patent?

While the First-Time Filer Program is no longer active, Carson Patents continues to help inventors identify and apply for the right acceleration program based on their situation and invention type. Visit our Accelerating Patent Applications page for full details or schedule a free patent consult to discuss your best path forward.