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225+ Free Arkansas Notary Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Arkansas Notary Exam

10 years

Commission term

A.C.A. 21-14-101; Arkansas Secretary of State (2026)

$7,500

Required surety bond

A.C.A. 21-14-101; Arkansas Notary Handbook (2026)

80%

Notary exam passing score

Arkansas Secretary of State notary application (2026)

$20

State application fee

A.C.A. 21-14-101; Arkansas Secretary of State (2026)

No cap

Maximum fee per act (must be reasonable, pre-agreed)

A.C.A. 21-6-309; Arkansas Notary Handbook (2026)

2021

Remote online notarization authorized

Act 1047 of 2021; A.C.A. 21-14-301 et seq.

An Arkansas notary public serves a 10-year term commissioned by the Secretary of State. Applicants must be at least 18, pass a multiple-choice exam with at least 80%, obtain a $7,500 surety bond, and pay a $20 state application fee plus a county recorder filing fee. Arkansas sets no maximum fee per act (fees must be reasonable and agreed upon in advance), does not require a journal, and authorizes electronic and remote online notarization under Act 1047 of 2021 (A.C.A. 21-14-301 et seq.).

Sample Arkansas Notary Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Arkansas Notary exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 225+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which Arkansas official appoints and commissions notaries public?
A.The Governor only
B.The county probate judge
C.The Secretary of State
D.The Lieutenant Governor
Explanation: Under A.C.A. § 21-14-101, a notary public is appointed and commissioned by the Arkansas Secretary of State, through the Business and Commercial Services (BCS) Division. The Secretary of State administers applications, the exam, and the official roster of notaries.
2How long is the term of an Arkansas notary public commission?
A.4 years
B.10 years
C.5 years
D.7 years
Explanation: Under A.C.A. § 21-14-101, an Arkansas notary commission runs for a term of ten (10) years, beginning on the date of commission or renewal. This is one of the longest notary terms in the country.
3What is the minimum age to become a notary public in Arkansas?
A.16
B.19
C.21
D.18
Explanation: Under A.C.A. § 21-14-101, an Arkansas notary applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years old. This is consistent with the qualification list in the Secretary of State's Notary Public Handbook.
4Does Arkansas require applicants to pass a written notary exam before being commissioned?
A.No; only the bond and application are required
B.Yes; all applicants must pass a multiple-choice exam
C.No; the exam applies to traditional and eNotary applicants
D.No; out-of-state applicants must take the same exam
Explanation: Arkansas is one of the few states that requires a written exam. Per the Secretary of State's online application process, all notary applicants must pass a multiple-choice exam (a minimum score of 80% is passing) before they can access and submit the notary application.
5What is the minimum passing score on the Arkansas notary exam?
A.70%
B.80%
C.75%
D.90%
Explanation: Per the Arkansas Secretary of State, the notary applicant exam requires a minimum score of 80% to pass (20 of 25 multiple-choice questions correct). The exam must be passed before the application form becomes available.
6What is the required surety bond amount for an Arkansas notary public?
A.$5,000
B.$10,000
C.$7,500
D.$15,000
Explanation: Under A.C.A. § 21-14-101, an Arkansas notary must obtain and file a surety bond in the amount of $7,500 for the faithful discharge of the notary's duties. The bond must be executed by a surety authorized to do business in Arkansas.
7What does the Arkansas notary surety bond primarily protect?
A.The notary's personal assets from lawsuits
B.The public against loss from notary misconduct
C.The Secretary of State from administrative claims
D.The notary's employer from negligence claims
Explanation: The $7,500 surety bond protects the public, not the notary. If the notary causes financial harm by failing to comply with notary law, the surety pays damages up to the bond amount and may then seek reimbursement from the notary. A notary who wants personal protection should buy errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance.
8Is errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance required for an Arkansas notary?
A.Yes; it is mandatory along with the bond
B.Yes; but only for electronic notaries
C.No; it is optional and protects the notary
D.No; because the bond already protects the notary
Explanation: E&O insurance is optional in Arkansas. The mandatory $7,500 bond protects the public; E&O insurance is a separate, voluntary product that protects the notary's own assets against claims arising from mistakes. Many notaries purchase E&O coverage in addition to the required bond.
9What is the application fee paid to the Arkansas Secretary of State for a notary commission?
A.$10
B.$50
C.$120
D.$20
Explanation: Under A.C.A. § 21-14-101, the application fee paid to the Secretary of State for a notary public commission is twenty dollars ($20). Additional costs (bond, county recorder filing fee, and the seal) are separate from this $20 state fee.
10An Arkansas applicant lives in Texas but works full time at a business in Texarkana, Arkansas. Can they become an Arkansas notary?
A.No; only Arkansas residents may qualify
B.Yes; but only after moving within 30 days
C.Yes; if employed or doing business in Arkansas
D.No; unless the applicant is in the military
Explanation: Under A.C.A. § 21-14-101, a legal resident of a state adjoining Arkansas who is employed in or operates a business in Arkansas may be commissioned. They must list both their out-of-state residential address and their Arkansas employer's address to establish eligibility.

About the Arkansas Notary Exam

Arkansas notaries public are appointed and commissioned by the Secretary of State for a 10-year term. Arkansas is one of the few states that requires applicants to pass a multiple-choice notary exam (80% to pass) before submitting the application, along with a $7,500 surety bond and a $20 application fee.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

Self-paced online exam; no fixed statutory time limit

Passing Score

80% (minimum passing score)

Exam Fee

$20 state application fee paid to the Secretary of State (Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division)

Arkansas Notary Exam Content Outline

20%

Qualifications & Commissioning

Eligibility under A.C.A. 21-14-101, Secretary of State appointment, 10-year term, the required 80% exam, $7,500 bond, $20 fee, oath before the county recorder, and renewal within 60 days of expiration.

22%

Authorized Notarial Acts

Administering oaths and affirmations, taking affidavits and acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications (not vital or public records), depositions, and statewide jurisdiction.

13%

Identification & Personal Appearance

Mandatory personal appearance for paper acts, satisfactory identification (no statutory ID list), reliance on personal knowledge, and declining doubtful or coerced acts.

20%

Certificates, Seal & Recordkeeping

Acknowledgment versus jurat wording, venue and date, required seal elements in blue or black ink (no Great Seal or state outline), facsimile signatures, and the recommended journal.

10%

Fees, Bond & Liability

The $7,500 public-protection bond, optional E&O insurance, reasonable pre-agreed fees with no statutory cap, application costs, and the no-less-than-$100 overcharging penalty.

10%

Electronic & Remote Online Notarization

eNotary commission requirements, RON under Act 1047 of 2021, approved solution providers, identity proofing and credential analysis, and biennial refresher training.

5%

Prohibited Acts, UPL & Discipline

Self-interest prohibitions, unauthorized practice of law, the notario publico bilingual disclosure, written complaints to the Secretary of State, Class A misdemeanor penalties, and 10-year revocation bar.

How to Pass the Arkansas Notary Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80% (minimum passing score)
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: Self-paced online exam; no fixed statutory time limit
  • Exam fee: $20 state application fee paid to the Secretary of State

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 225 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Arkansas Notary Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the official Arkansas Notary Public & eNotary Handbook from the Secretary of State cover to cover; the exam is drawn from it.
2Memorize the core Arkansas numbers: 10-year term, $7,500 bond, $20 application fee, 80% passing score, and the 30-day window to report changes.
3Practice distinguishing an acknowledgment ('executed the same') from a jurat ('subscribed and sworn to before me') until certificate wording is automatic.
4Know exactly what must and must not appear on the seal, and that 'Arkansas' is spelled out (never 'AR') in blue or black ink.
5Study the copy-certification limits: notaries may not certify vital records or public records, but may certify passports and drivers' licenses.
6Learn the eNotary and RON rules separately from traditional rules, including that traditional notaries cannot notarize by video.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an Arkansas notary commission last?

An Arkansas notary public commission lasts 10 years from the date of issuance or renewal, under A.C.A. 21-14-101. Renewal applications may be submitted no earlier than 60 days before expiration.

Does Arkansas require a notary exam?

Yes. Arkansas is one of the few states that requires a written exam. Applicants must pass a multiple-choice exam (commonly 25 questions) with a minimum score of 80% through the Secretary of State's online system before the application form becomes available.

What bond does an Arkansas notary need, and what does it cost?

Arkansas requires a $7,500 surety bond, which typically costs about $50 for the 10-year term. The bond protects the public, not the notary; notaries who want personal protection can buy optional errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance.

How much does it cost to become an Arkansas notary?

The state application fee is $20 to the Secretary of State, plus the $7,500 bond (about $50), a county recorder filing fee that varies by county, and the cost of a seal. Total cost is commonly around $120.

What is the maximum fee an Arkansas notary can charge per act?

Arkansas sets no statutory maximum fee. Under A.C.A. 21-6-309, notaries are not required to charge, but any fee must be reasonable and disclosed to and agreed upon by the client before the act. Overcharging is punishable by a fine of no less than $100 per offense.

Can Arkansas notaries perform remote online notarization (RON)?

Yes. Arkansas permanently authorized RON in 2021 (Act 1047, A.C.A. 21-14-301 et seq.). A notary must hold an eNotary commission, complete Secretary of State training and a refresher every two years, be physically located in Arkansas, and use an approved solution provider with identity proofing.