Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam Overview
The Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam is administered on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of State. Pennsylvania modernized its notary laws in 2017 by adopting the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), which includes education and examination requirements.
Passing this exam qualifies you to become a Pennsylvania Notary Public—serving nearly 13 million residents in one of the nation's most populous states with strong demand for notary services.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 40 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 1 hour |
| Passing Score | 80% (32 correct answers) |
| Exam Fee | $50 |
| Education Required | 3-hour approved course |
| Commission Term | 4 years |
| Surety Bond | $10,000 required |
Why Become a Pennsylvania Notary?
- Large market — Nearly 13 million potential clients
- Major metros — Philadelphia and Pittsburgh demand
- Modern laws — RULONA provides clear guidelines
- RON authorized — Remote online notarization allowed
- Electronic journal — Modern technology integration
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Notary Fundamentals (25%)
Commission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Pennsylvania resident or regularly work in PA
- Complete 3-hour approved education course
- Pass the state examination
- Obtain $10,000 surety bond
- No disqualifying criminal history
Appointment Process:
- Submit application to Department of State
- Pay application fee ($42)
- Take oath of office within 45 days
- File oath with county recorder
2. Types of Notarial Acts (30%)
Acknowledgments:
- Signer acknowledges signing voluntarily
- Most common notarial act
- Used for deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney
Verifications (Jurats):
- Signer swears or affirms content is true
- Must sign in notary's presence
- Notary administers oath or affirmation
Signature Witnessing:
- Witness signing without oath
- Document requires signature witnessing
- Less common than acknowledgment or jurat
Copy Certifications:
- Certify copies of certain documents
- Cannot certify vital records or public documents
- Limited scope under PA law
3. RULONA and PA Law (20%)
Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts:
- Adopted 2017, effective 2018
- 57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3
- Modern framework for notarial practice
- RON authorization included
Prohibited Acts:
- Cannot notarize your own signature
- Cannot notarize with personal interest
- Cannot certify vital records
- Cannot provide legal advice
- Cannot notarize incomplete documents
Penalties:
- Commission revocation
- Civil liability
- Criminal penalties for fraud
4. Identification and Procedures (15%)
Satisfactory Evidence:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Valid and not expired (or within 5 years)
- Contains signature
- PA driver's license, passport, military ID
Personal Knowledge:
- Notary personally knows signer
- Based on familiarity over time
- Must be documented
Credible Witness:
- One witness who knows signer
- Witness presents acceptable ID
- Used when signer lacks ID
5. Electronic Journal and Records (10%)
Mandatory Electronic Journal: Pennsylvania requires an electronic journal containing:
- Date, time, and type of act
- Document type notarized
- Signer's name and signature method
- Identification type presented
- Fees charged (if any)
- Any unusual circumstances
Record Retention:
- Maintain journal for 10 years
- Must be searchable
- Available for inspection
Fee Schedule:
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Notarial act | $5 |
| Certificate | $5 |
| Travel fee | Reasonable actual cost |
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Complete 3-hour education course | 3 |
| Week 1-2 | Notary fundamentals and appointment | 3-4 |
| Week 2 | Types of notarial acts | 4-5 |
| Week 2-3 | RULONA and PA law specifics | 4-5 |
| Week 3 | Identification and procedures | 3-4 |
| Week 3-4 | Electronic journal and records | 2-3 |
| Week 4 | Practice exams and review | 4-5 |
Total recommended study time: 25-30 hours (including required course)
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
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Pennsylvania-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master RULONA Requirements
Pennsylvania adopted modern notary standards:
- Know the full title and citation (57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3)
- Understand how RULONA modernized PA notary practice
- RON provisions are key exam topics
2. Know Electronic Journal Requirements
Pennsylvania requires electronic journals:
- Not optional—mandatory for all notaries
- Must be searchable
- 10-year retention requirement
- Contains specific required information
3. Understand Remote Online Notarization
Pennsylvania authorizes RON:
- Technology requirements
- Identity verification standards
- Audio-visual requirements
- Record keeping for RON acts
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Pennsylvania Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 80% (32/40) |
| Education | 3 hours |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond amount | $10,000 |
| Max fee per act | $5 |
| Journal retention | 10 years |
| Oath deadline | 45 days |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping required course — 3-hour course is mandatory
- Ignoring RULONA — Central to PA notary law
- Forgetting electronic journal — Required in PA
- Missing 80% threshold — Higher than most states
- Not understanding RON — Tested on exam
- Underestimating preparation — 80% is challenging
After Passing Your Exam
- Submit application to Department of State
- Pay $42 application fee to Department of State
- Obtain $10,000 surety bond from approved provider
- Take oath of office within 45 days
- File oath with county recorder
- Set up electronic journal before performing acts
- Begin your notary practice — Commission valid 4 years
2026 Pennsylvania Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- RON technology updates
- Electronic journal vendor requirements
- RULONA amendments
- Fee schedule reviews
Start Your Pennsylvania Notary Career Today
The Pennsylvania Notary Public commission opens doors to serving one of the nation's largest states with modern notary laws. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
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Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ RULONA specifics (57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3)
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
- ✅ AI-powered study assistance
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