100+ Free CA Notary Practice Questions
Pass your California Notary Public Commissioning Exam exam on the first try with exam-style questions and AI tutor.
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Key Facts: CA Notary Exam
$40
CA Application Fee
California SOS forms/services fees (accessed February 19, 2026)
$20
CA Exam Fee
California SOS forms/services fees (accessed February 19, 2026)
$20
Oath & Filing Fee
California SOS forms/services fees (accessed February 19, 2026)
4 years
Commission Term
California Notary Public Handbook (2025 edition)
70%
Passing Score
California SOS exam guidance + CPS HR exam process
$15
Max Fee Per Notarized Signature
California Notary Public Handbook (2025 edition)
For 2026 preparation, California requires applicants to be 18+ and legal residents, complete approved education, pass the exam, and clear a DOJ/FBI background check via Live Scan before commissioning. The Secretary of State fee schedule lists a $40 application fee, $20 exam fee, and $20 oath-and-filing fee. Commission terms are 4 years, and the maximum fee for most notarial acts is $15 per signature.
About the CA Notary Exam
The California notary exam emphasizes identity verification, certificate wording, journal and thumbprint compliance, fee limits, prohibited acts, and Secretary of State administrative rules.
Questions
45 scored questions
Time Limit
1 hour
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$40 application + $20 exam (California Secretary of State / CPS HR)
CA Notary Exam Content Outline
Qualifications, Commission, and Renewal
Eligibility, education path, background check, 4-year commission term, and renewal timing
Identification and Notarial Acts
Personal appearance, satisfactory evidence, acknowledgments, jurats, oaths/affirmations, and refusal standards
Journal, Thumbprint, and Certificate Accuracy
Journal-entry requirements, high-risk document thumbprint rules, certificate completion, and anti-backdating controls
Fees, Advertising, and UPL Boundaries
CA fee limits, prohibited “notario” representations, and no legal-advice boundaries for non-attorney notaries
Discipline and Administrative Compliance
Seal control, reporting timelines, misconduct penalties, and SOS enforcement process
How to Pass the CA Notary Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 45 questions
- Time limit: 1 hour
- Exam fee: $40 application + $20 exam
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CA Notary Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the core California notary eligibility requirements?
California applicants generally must be age 18+ and legal CA residents, complete required education, pass the exam, and clear DOJ/FBI background screening through Live Scan before commissioning.
What are the main California notary fees to memorize for 2026?
High-yield fee numbers from the Secretary of State fee schedule are $40 application, $20 exam, and $20 oath-and-filing. For practice acts, California generally caps notarial fees at $15 per signature.
How long is a California notary commission term?
California notary commissions run 4 years. Applicants should plan renewal timing early so they do not lose active-commission authority.
What makes California notary identity compliance strict?
California heavily tests proper ID handling, personal appearance, credible witness rules, and mandatory journal discipline. Errors in identity screening are a major driver of complaints and enforcement actions.
What are common CA exam traps?
High-frequency traps include choosing the notarial act for the signer, incomplete certificates, backdating requests, prohibited advertising language (like “notario”), and fee overcharges.