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Questions by Category

Notary-Procedures40 questions
Notary-Documents20 questions
Notary-General-Knowledge15 questions
Notary-Law-Ethics15 questions
Notary-Special-Situations10 questions
2026 Statistics

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). States that require exams typically have 30-40 questions with a 70-80% passing score. California's exam is considered the most rigorous with 30 questions and a 70% passing score. Notary Signing Agents can earn $75-200 per signing, making notary commission a valuable professional credential.

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.

Questions

30 scored questions

Time Limit

1 hour

Passing Score

70-80%

Exam Fee

$20-80 (State Secretary of State / NNA)

Notary Public Exam Content Outline

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

How to Pass the Notary Public Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70-80%
  • Exam length: 30 questions
  • Time limit: 1 hour
  • Exam fee: $20-80

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Notary Public Study Tips from Top Performers

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 with 30 questions and a 70% passing score (closed-book). 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.

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