Intro.2 Colorado Notary Exam Format
Key Takeaways
- The Colorado notary exam has 40 multiple-choice questions and requires an 80% score, meaning at least 32 correct answers, to pass.
- Both the SOS training course and the exam are online, open-book, and FREE; most candidates finish the exam in about 30 minutes.
- Training must be completed before testing, and a passing result is valid for 90 days in which to file the application.
- The total commissioning cost is the $10 SOS filing fee plus the cost of an official stamp; no surety bond is required.
- There is no cap on retakes; a failed attempt can be retaken, and the journal and stamp are obtained after the commission is issued.
Exam Structure at a Glance
Colorado runs one of the most accessible notary examinations in the country: it is delivered online, it is open-book, and it costs nothing. The exam tests knowledge from the Secretary of State's free RULONA training course and the Colorado Notary Public Handbook.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 40 multiple-choice |
| Passing score | 80% (at least 32 of 40 correct) |
| Delivery | Online through the SOS learning portal |
| Format | Open-book, untimed (most finish in ~30 minutes) |
| Cost | FREE |
| Result validity | 90 days to file the application |
| Prerequisite | Complete the free SOS training first |
| Retakes | No limit; retake if you do not pass |
Because the test is open-book, the challenge is knowing where to find an answer quickly, not memorizing every statute. Keep the handbook's table of contents and the certificate-wording pages flagged so you can locate ID rules, fee limits, and journal requirements fast.
What 80% Really Means
A passing score of 80% on 40 questions allows 8 wrong answers at most. Miss 9 or more and you do not pass. Treat the exam as if each topic block — identification, the five acts, fees, journals, and prohibited conduct — could cost you several questions, so do not skip a domain assuming the open-book format will save you.
The Commissioning Workflow
The exam is one step in a defined sequence. The order matters and is itself tested.
- Complete the free online RULONA training through the Colorado SOS eLearning portal and save your proof of completion.
- Pass the free online exam with 80% or higher (32+ correct).
- File the online application with the SOS within 90 days of passing, attaching proof of training.
- Pay the $10 filing fee to the Secretary of State.
- Receive your four-year commission and certificate from the SOS.
- Purchase an official stamp/seal and a journal before performing any notarizations.
| Item | Cost / Rule |
|---|---|
| Training | FREE |
| Exam | FREE |
| SOS filing fee | $10 |
| Surety bond | Not required in Colorado |
| Official stamp | Buy from a vendor (varies) |
| Commission term | 4 years |
Trap: you cannot notarize the moment you pass the exam. The commission must first be issued by the SOS after the application and fee, and you must have your stamp and journal in hand. Performing an act before the commission is active is grounds for denial or discipline.
Maximum Notary Fees
The exam expects you to know that Colorado caps the fee a notary may charge per notarial act. Under RULONA as amended by SB23-153 (2023), the maximum is $15 per paper notarial act and $25 per electronic or remote online (RON) act. (These figures replaced the older $5/$10 caps, which are now outdated distractors.) You may charge less or nothing, but you may not exceed the cap. Travel or other services must be disclosed and itemized separately in advance.
Test-Day Strategy
- Read training first. The exam questions map directly to the course modules and the handbook; skipping the course is the most common reason people fail an "easy" open-book test.
- Use the search/index. Open-book means speed of lookup wins. Pre-flag ID rules, certificate samples, and the fee table.
- Watch the absolutes. Questions using "always," "never," "must," or "may not" usually test a hard RULONA rule (personal appearance, no notarizing your own signature, journal for every act).
- Apply, don't stall. Because the result expires after 90 days, file and pay the $10 promptly so you do not have to retest.
What the Exam Actually Covers
The 40 questions are drawn directly from the SOS training modules and the Colorado Notary Public Handbook. Knowing the weighting helps you study the open-book lookups that matter most.
| Topic area | Why it's tested | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| The five notarial acts | Core competency | Acknowledgment vs. jurat differences |
| Identifying the signer | Fraud prevention | Acceptable vs. unacceptable IDs |
| Personal appearance | RULONA hard rule | Required for all acts except copy certification |
| Journal & stamp | Recordkeeping | What each entry must contain |
| Maximum fees | Consumer protection | The per-act cap |
| Prohibited acts | Discipline | Self-interest, own signature, blank documents |
| Electronic & remote notarization | RULONA modernization | Tamper-evident technology, separate registration |
Expect several questions that present a fact scenario ("a customer brings you a deed where you are the grantee...") and ask whether you may proceed. The safe answer almost always tracks a bright-line RULONA prohibition.
Prohibited Acts and Discipline
The Secretary of State can deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a commission for cause. Common grounds, all fair game on the exam:
- Notarizing without the signer's personal appearance.
- Notarizing a blank or incomplete document.
- Notarizing your own signature or a document in which you have a financial interest.
- Charging more than the maximum fee.
- Failing to keep a journal or using an improper stamp.
- Making a false certificate or giving legal advice (unauthorized practice of law).
Renewal and Common Misconceptions
A commission lasts four years; to renew, a notary must retake the training and exam and refile — Colorado does not auto-renew. Common exam misconceptions to discard:
- A notary does not verify that a document's contents are true (except by administering an oath where the signer swears to it).
- A notary may not refuse service based on race, religion, national origin, or similar bias, but must refuse when a legal requirement (appearance, ID, no self-interest) is not met.
- A notarial commission is statewide in Colorado; you are not limited to the county of your address, but your address must be in Colorado.
Master these distinctions and the open-book format makes a passing 32-of-40 score very attainable.
How many questions must you answer correctly to pass the Colorado notary exam?
After passing the exam, how long do you have to file your application before the result expires?
Which statement about the cost and format of becoming a Colorado notary is correct?