Support your career growth and professional development and get an industry recognised qualification as a CITMA Paralegal.
Delivered by experienced trade mark paralegals and Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys, the interactive sessions will reinforce, test and improve your knowledge.
Our course offers a holistic approach to everything you need to thrive in your paralegal career. It covers the legal aspects relevant to your role, ensuring that you understand the technical basis for the work that you do. It also encompasses the key skills relating to handling formalities and the administration of trade mark and design portfolios.
An exam on the content covered in the presentations marks the end of the course.
All course candidates are invited to take part in independent study groups of up to six peers in which you can discuss key learning points, schedule revision sessions and connect with the IP paralegal community.
You will leave the course with the confidence and technical knowledge to embrace your potential in your professional life.
It is strongly recommended that course attendees have a minimum of 18 months' experience in trade mark administration and formalities before you take this course.
Continuing your journey
The journey doesn’t stop when the courses ends. By passing the course you unlock potential for future growth via CITMA Paralegal membership.
Membership of CITMA gives you new career opportunities and access to further learning and CPD materials, as well as networking and social events.
What’s covered
The full course programme will be available soon.
The scope of this course is broad and covers a wide range of relevant material. The syllabus for this year’s course will include:
- What is and is not a trade mark
- Lifecycle of a trade mark
- Searching and clearance, including classification
- Filing and prosecution for a variety of UK and overseas locations
- Legalisation and notarisation
- Opposition, revocation, invalidation and litigation
Course delivery options
You can choose from two options when booking - both are the same price:
Blended learning comprising three in-person sessions and online webinars and vodcasts
- This is our preferred method of course delivery
- You will need to be able to attend three central London sessions*
- Students who select this route can benefit from improved engagement with the content at these in-person sessions
- You also get the opportunity to meet and interact with fellow students and presenters.
- *Please note that these dates will be shared in due course.
Online webinars and vodcasts only
- This is suited for students that because of geography or other commitments cannot realistically get to London.
- While this is not a "second class" option, our view is that students really benefit from meeting fellow students and course presenters face-to-face and we do suggest you only take this option if it is not feasible to get to London.
Cost
The cost to take the course this year is £1,000. Please book online.
The deadline for bookings is 30th September 2026, although places are limited and we have sold out previously.
Key dates
Presentations run every few weeks. We will also release on-demand vodcasts which you will need to watch. The full course programme will be available soon.
- Closing date for bookings: 29th September 2026
- Course launch: 7th October 2026
- Winter break: 17th December 2026 - 13th January 2027
- Final exam: 23rd April 2027
Please note, these dates are subject to change.
I’m not sure I meet the eligibility criteria, can I still take the course?
We do not actively discourage anyone from taking the course, nor do we police the requirement that students on the CITMA Paralegal Course have 18 months’ experience.
This is our recommendation as we have found that those with less experience do not have the broad knowledge needed.
This said, with more experience under your belt, you are likely to see the day-to-day relevance of more topics and benefit more from getting to know peers in the profession.
Students relatively fresh out of university may not find the content too heavy, whereas if you are juggling work and home life you may find the going tougher. Students from specialist peripheral fields such as domain names or renewals have also taken the course with success.
If you are not dealing with certain elements on a daily basis it can be difficult to apply your experience and learn and remember what is required to pass.
What if I don't have enough experience?
Is there a reading list for the course?
The course is self-contained and all handouts and presentations are sufficient for taking the course.
Although no other reading material is required, we would recommend you make yourself familiar with the EUIPO, UK IPO and WIPO websites as these will be useful in a career as a trade mark paralegal.
What subjects are covered by the CITMA Paralegal Course? Is there a syllabus?
There is a syllabus that we keep confidential. The subjects currently covered by the course are:
- Searching and clearance, including classification
- Filing and prosecution: UK, EUTM, Madrid, USA, China and overseas
- Renewals and maintenance
- Notarisation and legalisation
- Recording title updates
- Replacement
- Security interests
- Licensing
- Opposition, revocation, invalidation and litigation
- Designs: UK, RCD, Hague and overseas
- Copyright
- Domain names
What is the format of the exam?
The exam consists of two sections. Section A contains short-answer questions (approximately 12) that require short answers, lists or clear notes. Section B has 40 multiple-choice questions where you should choose the most correct answer (from four options).
Does the course involve coursework?
The course does not have any coursework. Some handouts may contain exercises for the you to undertake in your free time but they are not meant to be particularly time consuming.
What is the pass mark?
What happens when I pass?
Successful students are eligible for CITMA Paralegal membership of the CITMA.
This is free for the remainder of the calendar year. Membership requires sponsorship from a corporate member, but course presenters will typically be willing to provide sponsorship.
If possible, we will endeavour to run a ceremony for those that have passed the course shortly after the marks are awarded.
Membership as a CITMA Paralegal entitles you to call yourself a “CITMA Paralegal” and requires you to undertake CPD (continuing professional development) each year.
We run a number of events during the year to help you learn and develop while you earn the required CPD hours.
Can I re-sit if I fail?
If you fail, a place on the following year's course cannot be guaranteed as priority is given to those who have not previously taken the course.
Unsuccessful candidates can however receive copies of the course content for a fee and sit the exam the following year - they are not permitted to attend lectures.
Only one re-sit can be taken, so if a candidate fails again they must re-apply for the course.
Are there many people that complete the CITMA Paralegal course that then go onto become Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys?
Please note:
- Payment online via debit or credit card only; proforma invoices are not available.
- Full terms and conditions apply.
- Bookings close: 30th September 2026
