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Exam Review

Key Facts: Notary Public Exam

4.4M

US Notaries

NNA 2024

45+

States with RON

NNA 2026

70-80%

Exam Passing Score

State requirements

$75-200

Per Signing (NSA)

Industry average

4-10 yrs

Commission Term

Varies by state

800K

New Commissions/Year

NNA estimate

There are approximately 4.4 million notaries public in the United States (NNA 2024). Exam requirements are set by each state, and roughly 14 states require a written exam. California's exam is among the most rigorous: 45 questions (40 scored, 5 unscored), a 60-minute limit, and a scaled score of 70 to pass, administered by CPS HR Consulting after a 6-hour course. Notary Signing Agents can earn $75-200 per signing, making a notary commission a valuable professional credential.

Sample Notary Public Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Notary Public exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary role of a notary public?
A.To provide legal advice to document signers
B.To serve as an impartial witness to deter fraud in document signing
C.To draft legal documents for the public
D.To act as an attorney-in-fact for signers
Explanation: The primary role of a notary public is to serve as an impartial, unbiased witness to deter fraud in the signing of important documents. Notaries verify the identity of signers, confirm their willingness to sign, and ensure they are aware of the contents of the document. Notaries are prohibited from providing legal advice or drafting legal documents, as that constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.
2In most states, what is the minimum age requirement to become a commissioned notary public?
A.16 years old
B.18 years old
C.21 years old
D.25 years old
Explanation: In most states, the minimum age to become a notary public is 18 years old. This aligns with the age of legal majority in the United States, ensuring that the notary can enter into binding agreements and fully understand the legal responsibilities of the office. A few states may have different requirements, but 18 is the national standard.
3A notary public's surety bond primarily protects whom?
A.The notary from lawsuits
B.The notary's employer from liability
C.The public from the notary's misconduct or negligence
D.The state government from financial loss
Explanation: A notary surety bond protects the public, not the notary. If a notary commits misconduct or negligence that causes financial harm to someone, the injured party can file a claim against the bond to recover damages. The surety company that issued the bond will pay the claim and then seek reimbursement from the notary. This is a common misconception -- the bond does not serve as insurance for the notary.
4Which of the following is a common requirement for a notary seal or stamp?
A.It must be embossed (raised) -- ink stamps are not accepted
B.It must include the notary's name, commission number, and commission expiration date
C.It must be a specific color chosen by the notary
D.It only needs to include the state name and the word "notary"
Explanation: Most states require a notary seal or stamp to include the notary's name exactly as commissioned, their commission number (or identification number), and the commission expiration date. Many states also require the state name and the words "Notary Public." Both embossed and ink stamps are generally accepted, though requirements vary by state. The seal serves as the notary's official authentication mark on documents.
5A notary public is commissioned by which authority?
A.The federal government
B.The county clerk in their county of residence
C.The state government (typically the Secretary of State or Governor)
D.The local bar association
Explanation: Notaries public are commissioned by their state government, most commonly through the Secretary of State's office or, in some states, by the Governor. The notary commission is a state-level appointment, which is why notary laws, requirements, and procedures vary from state to state. The federal government does not commission notaries, although federal employees may receive special notary appointments.
6A notary discovers their official seal has been stolen. What should the notary do FIRST?
A.Order a replacement seal and continue notarizing
B.Notify the commissioning authority and law enforcement immediately
C.Place an advertisement in the local newspaper about the lost seal
D.Wait to see if the seal is returned before taking action
Explanation: When a notary's seal is lost or stolen, the first and most critical step is to notify the commissioning authority (usually the Secretary of State) and local law enforcement immediately. This creates an official record that may help prevent fraudulent use of the seal. Prompt notification protects both the notary and the public. Delaying notification could result in liability if the stolen seal is used fraudulently.
7A notary's commission has expired. What must the notary do before performing any notarial acts?
A.Simply purchase a new seal and continue notarizing
B.Apply for recommission, complete all requirements, and receive a new commission
C.Nothing -- there is a 30-day grace period after expiration
D.Send a letter to the Secretary of State requesting an extension
Explanation: Once a notary's commission expires, they have absolutely no authority to perform notarial acts. There is no grace period. The notary must go through the full recommissioning process, which may include submitting a new application, obtaining a new bond, purchasing a new seal, and completing any required education. Performing notarial acts with an expired commission is illegal and may result in criminal penalties and civil liability.
8Which of the following is NOT typically a qualification requirement for becoming a notary public?
A.Being a legal resident of the state where commissioned
B.Having no felony convictions
C.Possessing a college degree or paralegal certification
D.Being able to read and write in English
Explanation: A college degree or paralegal certification is not required to become a notary public in any state. Common requirements include being at least 18 years old, being a legal resident of the state (or having a place of business there), having no disqualifying criminal convictions, and being able to read and write in English. Some states also require completing a notary education course and passing an exam.
9If a notary moves to a different county within the same state, what typically happens to their commission?
A.The commission is automatically revoked
B.The commission remains valid but the notary must notify the commissioning authority of the address change
C.The notary must obtain a new commission in the new county
D.The commission becomes invalid until the notary passes a new exam
Explanation: In most states, a notary's commission is statewide, meaning it remains valid regardless of which county the notary resides in. However, the notary is typically required to notify the commissioning authority (such as the Secretary of State) of their change of address within a specified timeframe. Failure to report an address change can result in penalties or issues with the commission.
10What is the purpose of errors and omissions (E&O) insurance for a notary?
A.It replaces the requirement for a surety bond
B.It protects the notary personally from financial loss due to unintentional mistakes
C.It guarantees that all notarized documents are legally valid
D.It protects the signer from identity theft
Explanation: Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance protects the notary personally from financial loss resulting from unintentional errors or negligence during notarial acts. Unlike the surety bond (which protects the public), E&O insurance covers the notary's own legal defense costs and any damages they may be required to pay. While E&O insurance is optional in most states, it is highly recommended as it provides a critical layer of personal financial protection.

About the Notary Public Exam

The notary public exam tests knowledge of notarial acts, procedures, laws, and ethics required to become a commissioned notary. Exam requirements vary by state — some states require an exam while others do not.

Exam sponsor: State commissioning authority (typically the Secretary of State); California exam administered by CPS HR Consulting. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

45 questions

Time Limit

1 hour (California)

Passing Score

70-80% (California: scaled score of 70 on 40 scored items)

Exam / Certification Fees

$20-100

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly published. exam requirements and results vary significantly by state Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

General Knowledge & Commission

Commission process, qualifications, bonds, seals, jurisdiction

25%

Notarial Acts & Procedures

Acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, affirmations, copy certification

20%

Law & Ethics

Unauthorized practice, conflicts of interest, fees, liability

15%

Documents & Record Keeping

Journal entries, certificates, signer identification

15%

Special Situations

Remote online notarization, elderly signers, foreign language

Preparing for the Notary Public Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70-80% (California: scaled score of 70 on 40 scored items)
  • Exam length: 45 questions
  • Time limit: 1 hour (California)
  • Exam / certification fees: $20-100 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Notary Public: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the difference between acknowledgments and jurats — this is the #1 tested topic
2Know acceptable forms of identification: government-issued photo ID or credible witnesses
3Understand when to refuse notarization: lack of ID, apparent incompetence, blank documents, financial interest
4Learn journal requirements: who, what, when, how identified, document type, fees charged
5Study Remote Online Notarization (RON) basics: KBA, credential analysis, audio-video recording
6Remember: a notary cannot choose which notarial act to perform — that's unauthorized practice of law

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the notary public exam?

Notary exam difficulty varies by state. California has one of the hardest exams: 45 questions (40 scored, 5 unscored), a 60-minute limit, and a scaled score of 70 to pass (closed-book), administered by CPS HR Consulting. Many other states have open-book exams or don't require an exam at all. With 15-20 hours of study using practice questions, most candidates pass on the first try.

What topics are on the notary exam?

The notary exam covers notarial acts (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths), signer identification requirements, journal/record keeping, commission and seal requirements, fee regulations, conflicts of interest, certificate completion, and increasingly Remote Online Notarization (RON) procedures.

Which states require a notary exam?

States that require a notary exam include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Other states like Texas, Florida, and Michigan do not require an exam but may require education courses.

How much can notaries earn?

Traditional notary fees are state-regulated at $2-15 per act. However, Notary Signing Agents (NSAs) who handle mortgage closings earn $75-200 per signing, with experienced agents completing 10-20 signings per month. Full-time mobile notaries can earn $40,000-$80,000+ annually.

What is the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?

An acknowledgment verifies that a signer voluntarily signed a document — the signer does NOT need to sign in front of the notary. A jurat (sworn statement) requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence AND take an oath or affirmation. This is the most commonly tested distinction on notary exams.