---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2357"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2357"
heading: "Unauthorized practice"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2357"
units:
  - "Chapter 57 — Plant Variety Protection"
  - "Subchapter I — Plant Variety Protection Office"
  - "Part B — Legal Provisions as to the Plant Variety Protection Office"
---

# §2357. Unauthorized practice


Anyone who in the [United States](/usc/7/2401.md?p=a-9) engages in direct or indirect practice before the Office of Plant [Variety](/usc/7/2401.md?p=a-10) Protection while suspended or excluded under [section 2356 of this title](/usc/7/2356.md), or without being admitted to practice before the Office, shall be liable in a civil action for the return of all money received, and for compensation for damage done by such [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) and also may be enjoined from such practice. However, there shall be no liability for damage if such [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) establishes that the work was done competently and without negligence. This section does not apply to anyone who, without a claim of self-sufficiency, works under the supervision of another who stands admitted and is the responsible party; or to anyone who establishes that the [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) acted only on behalf of any employer by whom the [person](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-1) was regularly employed.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–577, title I, § 27, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1545; Pub. L. 103–349, § 13(e), Oct. 6, 1994, 108 Stat. 3143.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–349 substituted “the person” for “he” in two places in last sentence.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–349 effective 180 days after Oct. 6, 1994, see section 15 of Pub. L. 103–349, set out as a note under section 2401 of this title.