human: What types of applications are eligible for prioritized examination?
assistant: Original nonprovisional utility and plant patent applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), having no more than 4 independent claims, 30 total claims, and no multiple dependent claims, and filed on or after September 26, 2011, are eligible for prioritized examination (Track One). See FAQs labeled PE-Track One below for details.
Original nonprovisional utility and plant patent applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111, or having entered the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, in which a proper request for continued examination (RCE) has been filed, or is concurrently being filed, are eligible for prioritized examination. A proper RCE can only be filed if prosecution in the application is closed (e.g., the last Office action is a final action, a notice of allowance, or an action that otherwise closes prosecution in the application). See 37 CFR 1.114(b). A request for prioritized examination must be made before an Office action responsive to the RCE has been mailed. See FAQs labeled PE-RCE below for details.