Notary Public Exam: Which States Require It and What It Covers
Most states don't require a notary exam — but 15+ do. Here's which states test notaries, what the exam covers, and how to get commissioned quickly.
Which States Require a Notary Exam?
As of 2026, the following states require a written examination for notary commission: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, and Utah (plus several states require mandatory education courses which may include a test). Most other states require only an application, background check, and fee — no exam. Requirements change periodically, so always verify with your state's notary commissioning authority (usually the Secretary of State or Governor's office).
What the Exam Covers
Where a notary exam is required, it typically covers: the legal definition of a notarial act and the notary's role (authenticating signatures, not the document content), proper identification requirements (what ID is acceptable for signer identification), acknowledgments vs. jurats — the two most common notarial acts and when each is used, oaths and affirmations, journal requirements (what must be recorded, how long records must be kept), prohibited acts (when a notary cannot act — conflict of interest, no personal knowledge of signer), notarization of remote/online documents (RON) in states that allow it, and fee schedules. The exam is typically 30-50 multiple choice questions with a 70-75% pass requirement.
Acknowledgments vs. Jurats — The Core Distinction
The most tested concept on every notary exam is the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat. An acknowledgment: the signer acknowledges to the notary that they signed the document voluntarily — the notary does NOT witness the signing, and the document may be pre-signed. A jurat: the signer swears or affirms the truth of the document's contents and MUST sign in front of the notary. Choosing the wrong certificate (acknowledgment vs. jurat) invalidates the notarization and can create legal liability. Notaries are responsible for using the correct certificate wording for each document type.
Getting Commissioned Quickly
The fastest path to commission: verify exam requirement for your state → complete any required education course (typically 3-6 hours online) → submit application with fee and bond → pass exam if required → receive commission certificate → file oath of office if required → purchase notary seal. In states without an exam, the process takes 2-6 weeks. In states with an exam, add 1-2 weeks of study time. Notary commissions typically last 4 years and must be renewed. The Notary Prep app covers all 50 state variations with 300+ practice questions targeting each state's specific exam content.