Is a Request for Continued Examination (RCE) considered a new application?
No, a Request for Continued Examination (RCE) is not considered a new application. The MPEP 203.01 clarifies this point:
Note that a request for continued examination (RCE)(see 37 CFR 1.114) is not a type of new application filing.
An RCE is a way to continue prosecution of an existing application after a final rejection, rather than starting a new application. For more details on RCEs, refer to MPEP § 706.07(h).
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure