They are recruited among nationals of the member states and work in one of the EPO offices in Munich, The Hague and Berlin. Candidates for examiner positions must meet certain minimum requirements: EPO member state nationality; degree in engineering or in science; good knowledge of two languages out of German, English and French with a willingness to learn the third. Some examiners have work experience in industry, but such experience is not required. EPO examiners are also reportedly required to speak three languages fluently. Most EPO examiners are represented by SUEPO, a trade union. United States Patent and Trademark Office Patent examiners at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) examine patent applications for claims of new inventions. Examiners make determinations of patentability based on policies and guidance from this agency, in compliance with federal laws (Title 35 of the United States Code), rules, judicial precedents, and guidance from agency administrators. These determinations are appealable through the U.S. Courts. An appeal of these determinations is three steps away from the U.S. Supreme Court. Responsibilities for a patent examiner at the USPTO include: reviewing patent applications to determine if they comply with basic format, rules and legal requirements; determining the scope of the invention claimed by the inventor; searching for relevant technologies to compare similar prior inventions with the invention claimed in the patent application; and communicating findings as to the patentability of an applicant's invention via a written action to inventors/patent practitioners. Examiners are hired at the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9 or GS-11 grade levels. Patent examiners in the U.S. have responsibilities that are commensurate with their GS level. Promotions from GS-7 to GS-14 are non-competitive. At GS-13 they are eligible to start the "Partial Signatory Authority" program, a testing phase to see if an examiner can apply patent concepts (e.g. obviousness and novelty) and laws (35 USC). Upon passing the "Partial Signatory Program", a patent examiner is given signatory authority to sign all of their own non-final rejections and other non-final communications to applicants. After a waiting period a patent examiner may take part in an additional testing phase known as the "Full Signatory Authority" (FSA) program. When a patent examiner has passed the FSA program, they are given "Full Signatory Authority" and can sign all of their own "office actions" (e.g. allowances, rejections) without review and approval by a supervisor. Such examiners are also able to review and