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Free California Notary Exam Prep

California Notary Public

Pass your California Notary exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, and AI-powered learning.

Quick Facts

17
Chapters
54
Sections
$0
Our Cost
Updated January 2026
Your Study Path

California Professional License: Complete Roadmap

Follow this path to maximize your chances of passing on the first try

1

Complete 6-Hour Education Course

Take the required pre-licensing course from an SOS-approved vendor covering California notary law, procedures, and ethics.

6
hours
2

Study California Notary LawsYou are here

Master the California Notary Public Handbook: seal/journal requirements, identification rules, acknowledgments vs. jurats, and prohibited acts.

15
hours
3

Practice with Exam Questions

Take practice exams focusing on scenario-based questions about real estate documents, immigration forms, and proper notarial procedures.

10
hours
4

Pass Exam & Complete Filing

Pass the state exam (70% required), complete Live Scan fingerprinting, obtain $15,000 bond, and file with your county clerk within 30 days.

5
hours
Estimated total study time
36 hours
That's about 4 weeks at 10 hours/week

Can You Take the California Notary Exam?

Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements

Age
18 years or older
Education
Complete 6-hour notary education course from SOS-approved vendor
Background Check
Required - FBI and DOJ review via Live Scan fingerprinting
Fingerprinting
Yes - Live Scan ($89-$125 depending on vendor)
Additional Requirements
  • Must be a legal California resident (U.S. citizenship not required)
  • Must file $15,000 surety bond with county clerk within 30 days of commission
  • Must file oath of office with county clerk
  • Must disclose all arrests pending trial and convictions
  • Passing exam score valid for 1 year to complete all requirements

California Notary Quick Facts

Time to Get Licensed

2-4 weeks after completing 6-hour education course

From start to license in hand

Exam Provider

CPS HR Consulting (authorized by California Secretary of State)

In-Person Only
Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

Can retake immediately at the next available exam date. $40 exam fee required each time. Passing score valid for 1 year to complete all filing requirements.

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam Fee$40 (state exam fee)
Application Fee$30-$100 ($15,000 surety bond cost)
Fingerprint Fee$89-$125 (Live Scan vendor fee)
Pre-License Education$50-$150 (6-hour education course, varies by vendor)
Total Estimated Cost$250-$415 total (education + exam + Live Scan + bond + supplies)
Why Choose Us

Free California Notary Prep That Actually Works

The official pass rate is ~70% (scaled scoring). Our students do better.

100% Free Prep

Complete study guide and practice questions at no cost

300+ Questions

Practice with scenario-based questions like the real exam

AI Tutor

Get instant explanations for any notary concept

2026 Updated

Includes latest RON laws and SB 696 changes

Compare:
Kaplan $300+Achievable $200+OpenExamPrep $0

What You'll Study

17 chapters covering everything you need to pass

California Notary-Specific Topics Covered

California Government Code Notary Provisions$15,000 Surety Bond RequirementLive Scan Fingerprinting ProcessNotary Journal Entry RequirementsOfficial Notary Seal SpecificationsAcknowledgments vs. JuratsCredible Witness RequirementsImmigration Document Restrictions ($15 max fee)Real Estate Document Thumbprint RequirementsRemote Online Notarization (RON) - Coming 2030Prohibited Acts & Criminal Penalties4-Year Commission Term & Renewal
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California Notary Exam Details

California Notary Public

Administered by California Secretary of State (via CPS HR Consulting)

Official Source
70% (scaled score)
Passing Score
45
Questions
1
Hours
$250-$350 total ($40 exam + $89-$125 Live Scan + $30-$100 bond + supplies)
Exam Fee
Study time: 20-40 hours
Prerequisites: 6-hour approved course, 18+ years, California resident
Valid for: 4 years (renewable with 3-hour refresher course)

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official California Secretary of State (via CPS HR Consulting) content outline

Qualifications & Appointment15%

Age, residency, education, bond, oath of office, commission term

Notary Seal & Journal20%

Seal specifications, sequential journal entries, 10-year retention

Identification of Signers20%

Acceptable IDs, credible witnesses, personal knowledge

Acknowledgments & Jurats20%

Certificate wording, personal appearance, oath administration

Prohibited Acts & Fees15%

$15 per signature max, UPL, conflicts of interest, notario publico

Discipline & Penalties10%

Commission revocation, civil liability, criminal penalties, fraud

What's Included

17 Chapters

Complete exam coverage

Practice Quizzes

With detailed explanations

Free to Start

No credit card required

Ran Chen - AI Engineer, CFP®
CFP®
Why It's Free

Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds

I'm Ran Chen, an engineer with 20+ years of coding experience. I passed my Life Insurance license, EA exam, SIE, Series 6, 63, 65, and finally the CFP® exam.

Through all these exams, one thing became clear: exam prep is expensive. But with AI, we can change that. Quality preparation can now be free for everyone.

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What's Next After the California Notary?

After passing the California Notary, you can pursue these career paths

Loan Signing Agent (NNA)

Earn $75-$200+ per signing with real estate documents

Coming Soon

CA Real Estate

Combine with real estate license for dual income

Mobile Notary

Offer on-site notary services with travel fees

Coming Soon

Real Estate Salesperson

National real estate license

California Notary Exam FAQ

Official California Secretary of State (via CPS HR Consulting) Resources

Verify information with these official sources

More Free Resources

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