Various rules govern when review may be sought. Primary jurisdiction applies to cases in which a private party sues another private party about some matter that is under the control of an agency. Related to the doctrine of primary jurisdiction, the doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies is concerned with the timing of a review petition.

The exhaustion doctrine provides that all administrative remedies must be pursued and exhausted (completed) before judicial review is available. The administrative process must be given a full and complete opportunity to correct its own errors before judicial intervention occurs. Ripeness is concerned with maturity—that is, whether a case is sufficiently mature to be heard by a court.

The APA provides for review of final agency action. With the exception when provided for specifically by statute or when an agency is clearly violating the law, only final actions may be reviewed by courts. Agency investigations, hearings, and rules that are under consideration but not finalized may not be appealed.