6.2 RON Requirements and Training
Key Takeaways
- RON authorization is optional and must be obtained in addition to an active Oregon notary commission
- Notaries must select a RON technology vendor that meets OAR 160-100-0805/0855 and the National Electronic Notarization Standards
- The Secretary of State provides RON-specific guidance; the chosen vendor provides platform training
- Vendors must notify the Secretary of State of compliance under OAR 160-100-0140 through 160-100-0215
- RON authorization runs with the commission and must be re-established at each renewal; IPEN is a separate, optional authorization
Eligibility Foundation
RON is layered on top of a regular commission — it is not a substitute for it. To perform RON in Oregon you must first hold an active Oregon notary public commission (the commission term is four years), complete the standard new-notary requirements, and only then add RON capability. A lapsed or suspended commission cancels your RON authority automatically, because RON authority cannot outlive the commission it depends on.
Steps to Become RON-Capable
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hold an active Oregon notary commission (or apply for one) |
| 2 | Complete the required notary training and pass the exam |
| 3 | Review the Secretary of State's RON/electronic notarization guidance |
| 4 | Select a RON vendor that meets OAR 160-100-0805/0855 and National Electronic Notarization Standards |
| 5 | Complete the vendor's platform-specific training |
| 6 | Confirm the vendor has filed its compliance notification with the Secretary of State |
Worked example: A newly commissioned Portland notary wants to close real-estate files remotely. She cannot simply log into a video app. She must pick a vendor from the Secretary of State's known-vendor list, complete that vendor's onboarding, and verify the vendor's compliance filing before her first RON session is lawful.
Training: Who Teaches What
| Source | What it covers | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State guidance | Oregon RON law, recording/retention duties, prohibited acts | Free |
| RON vendor training | How to operate the specific platform (credential analysis, KBA, recording, e-seal) | Set by vendor |
The statute does not impose a fixed hour count for separate "RON training"; instead, vendors who supply RON technology are required to train notaries on how to use their platforms, and the Secretary of State publishes the rules a notary must follow. On the exam, the safe answer is that RON requires additional preparation beyond basic notary training, including learning the vendor platform.
RON vs. IPEN — Separate Optional Authorizations
Oregon offers two electronic notarization tracks, and choosing one does not grant the other:
| Feature | RON | IPEN |
|---|---|---|
| Signer presence | Remote, via audio-video | Physically present with notary |
| Recording | Required, 10-year retention | Not required (signer is present) |
| Identity proofing | Credential analysis + KBA | Same in-person ID methods as paper |
| Vendor compliance | OAR 160-100-0805/0855 + national standards | National Electronic Notarization Standards |
| Authorization | Optional, vendor-based | Optional; file Electronic Notarization Notice |
Key trap: "The authorization to perform electronic notarizations is optional." A notary who completes IPEN setup is not automatically authorized for RON, and vice versa. If you intend to do both, you complete each path.
Vendor Responsibilities (What the Platform Must Provide)
A compliant RON platform must deliver, at minimum:
- Credential analysis of the signer's government-issued ID
- Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) drawing on third-party data
- Real-time, two-way audio-video of high enough quality to identify participants
- Secure electronic signature application by both signer and notary
- Tamper-evident sealing of the finished electronic document
- Recording capture and secure storage sufficient for the 10-year retention duty
Notary Reliance on the Vendor
Under the administrative-rule framework (OAR 160-100-0140 through 160-100-0215), the vendor must notify the Secretary of State that its technology complies, and a notary may rely on the vendor's declaration of compliance with the National Electronic Notarization Standards. Reliance does not erase the notary's personal duties: the notary still must verify identity, confirm willingness and understanding, and keep proper records. Choosing a non-listed or non-compliant vendor is itself misconduct.
Term and Renewal
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| RON authority duration | Runs with the four-year commission |
| On commission expiration | RON authority ends with the commission |
| On renewal | Re-establish RON capability with the vendor; update filings as required |
| If you switch vendors | Confirm the new vendor's compliance notice is on file |
Choosing and Verifying a Vendor
The Secretary of State publishes a list of known compliant electronic-notarization vendors, but appearing on a list is not the same as the notary's own due diligence. Before relying on a platform, confirm three things: the vendor's compliance notification is on file with the Secretary of State, the platform performs both credential analysis and KBA, and the platform captures and securely stores the audio-video recording for the full retention period. A platform that omits any of these — for instance, one that records video but cannot guarantee 10-year retention — is not adequate for Oregon RON.
Worked example: A notary is offered a discount on an out-of-state "e-notary" tool that supports IPEN-style signing but has no KBA module. Because RON requires KBA, that tool cannot lawfully be used for remote acts in Oregon even though it is cheaper, and using it would expose the notary to discipline.
Records and Fees Carry Over
| Topic | RON rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum fee | $25 per remote notarial act |
| Journal | Electronic, retained 10 years from last transaction |
| Recording | Required, retained 10 years |
| Misconduct exposure | Same disciplinary framework as any notarial act |
Fees, journals, and discipline are not waived because the act is remote. The $25 cap is the single fee change; every other accountability rule from the paper world still attaches, plus the recording duty unique to RON.
On the Exam
- Foundation: Active Oregon commission first; RON is added capability.
- Vendor: Must meet OAR 160-100-0805/0855 and national standards; vendor files the notice and trains you on the platform.
- RON ≠ IPEN: Two separate optional authorizations.
- Reliance: You may rely on the vendor's compliance declaration but keep all notarial duties.
- Term: RON authority follows your commission and must be maintained at renewal.
Which statement correctly distinguishes RON from IPEN in Oregon?
What may an Oregon notary rely on when choosing RON technology under the administrative rules?