📋 Notary Public

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About the Notary Public Exam

Notary public licensing is administered at the state level. About 30–40 states require a written exam, while others allow online courses or self-study. Each state sets its own rules, but all notaries must understand the fundamental notarial acts and ethical obligations.

Typical notary exams are 30–50 multiple-choice questions with a 70–80% passing score. Questions cover notarial acts (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, certifications), signer identification, journal keeping, seal requirements, prohibited acts, liability, and increasingly, Remote Online Notarization (RON).

Notary commissions are typically valid for 4 years. Most states require a bond ($500–$10,000) and some require errors & omissions insurance. Once commissioned, you're an officer of the state court and have significant legal responsibilities. VoltExam prepares you thoroughly for these responsibilities.

Topics Covered

✓Notarial Acts & Authorized Services

✓Signer Identification Requirements

✓Journal of Notarial Acts

✓Acknowledgments vs. Jurats

✓Oaths & Affirmations

✓Prohibited Acts & Refusal

✓Remote Online Notarization (RON)

✓Notary Seal & Certificate Requirements

✓Liability & Bond Requirements

✓State-Specific Rules & Variations

Web Practice Features

⏱ Timed exam mode (simulates real notary test)

📚 Study mode with detailed explanations

🔁 Review missed questions instantly

📊 State-specific rule tracking

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which states require a notary exam?

About 30–40 states require a written notary exam. States like California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania have mandatory exams. Other states allow self-study or online courses without an exam. VoltExam covers national notarial standards and includes state-specific rules for major notary markets.

How hard is the notary exam?

Most notary exams are moderate difficulty — typically 30–50 questions with a 70–80% passing score. The challenge comes from understanding subtle differences between acknowledgments and jurats, and state-specific variations. VoltExam drills these distinctions repeatedly.

What topics are tested on the notary exam?

Notarial acts (acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, certifications), signer identification requirements, journal entry rules, seal and signature requirements, prohibited acts, liability, bonding, and state-specific laws. Many states now include Remote Online Notarization (RON) questions.

How long is a notary commission valid?

Most notary commissions are valid for 4 years, though some states allow 6 years. Texas is unique at 4 years. After your commission expires, you can renew (usually a simpler process than initial licensing). Some states require renewal training or an exam.

Do I need a notary bond?

Many states require a bond (typically $500–$10,000) as proof that you can cover errors or misconduct. California, New York, and Florida require bonds. Texas and some other states don't. Bonding protects the public — if you make a costly notarial error, the bond covers damages. The app explains your state's bonding requirements.

Can I do Remote Online Notarization (RON)?

Yes — but only in states that authorize it. California, Texas, Florida, and many others allow RON (video conference notarization). Some states require additional training or a separate RON license. RON expands your earning potential significantly. VoltExam covers RON rules for all states that allow it.

Notary Public Exam — Common Questions

What is on the notary public exam?

The notary public exam tests knowledge of notarial acts, proper identification of signers, acknowledgments vs. jurats vs. oaths, notary journal requirements, prohibited acts (practicing law, guaranteeing documents), notary bond and commission requirements, and state-specific regulations. Most state notary exams are 30–50 multiple-choice questions with a 70–80% passing score requirement administered online or at a testing center.

How hard is the notary exam?

The notary public exam is considered moderately easy compared to other licensing exams. Most candidates who study 5 to 10 hours pass on their first attempt. The main challenges are state-specific rules (signer identification requirements, journal entry fields, prohibited acts) and distinguishing between acknowledgments, jurats, and copy certifications. Candidates who skip studying state law sections most often fail.

Do I need a notary bond to become a notary?

Most states require a notary bond as part of the commission application. The bond amount varies by state, typically ranging from $500 to $15,000. A notary bond protects the public (not the notary) against financial harm caused by notary errors or misconduct. Some states also require errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, which protects the notary personally.

How long is a notary commission valid?

Notary commission terms vary by state, typically ranging from 4 years to 10 years. California, Texas, and Florida use 4-year terms. New York uses 2-year terms. After the commission expires, you must reapply, retake any required exam, and pay the commission fee again. Some states allow renewal without retaking the exam.

What is the best app for notary exam prep?

VoltExam offers notary commission exam prep on the web with practice questions covering notarial acts, state regulations, journal requirements, and prohibited acts, plus a built-in notary fee calculator. Start free in the browser; native iOS and Android apps are separate purchases for offline mobile study.

Notary Public Requirements by State

Notary Public requirements vary widely by state. Below is a state-by-state summary of the notary exam — the regulating board, exam format, and training where verified. Figures are web-verified for 2026 but change by cycle and classification; always confirm the current rules and fees with your state board before you apply.

Alabama (AL)

Commissioning authority: The Judge of Probate in your county of residence — not the Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: Yes — a pre-commission training program (mandatory for new and renewal applicants since Sept. 1, 2023)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$10 application plus a $25 commission fee (excludes the $50,000 bond and any county recording fees)

In Alabama the commissioning authority is your county's Judge of Probate, not the Secretary of State.

Alaska (AK)

Commissioning authority: The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska — not the Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$40 application fee (a $2,500 bond is required for a general commission)

Alaska has no Secretary of State; notaries are commissioned by the Lieutenant Governor.

Arizona (AZ)

Commissioning authority: Arizona Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — new as of July 1, 2025 (an open-book exam via Prometric, roughly 80% to pass)
Training: Not mandatory (recommended)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$43 application/bond filing fee, plus a separate exam fee (~$45); excludes the $5,000 surety bond

Arkansas (AR)

Commissioning authority: Arkansas Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a free online exam administered by the Secretary of State (roughly 80% to pass)
Training: No separate course for a traditional commission (a course is required to add an eNotary credential)
Term: 10 years
Fee range: ~$20 application processing fee (excludes the $7,500 surety bond, typically ~$50)

Arkansas commissions run an unusually long 10 years.

California (CA)

Commissioning authority: California Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a proctored state exam
Training: Yes — a 6-hour approved course (3-hour refresher for renewals)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: $40 application/exam fee, plus the approved course (typically ~$40–$90)

Colorado (CO)

Commissioning authority: Colorado Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a free online exam (100% to pass)
Training: Yes — a free approved training course (eLearning via the state)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: $10 application (the exam and training are free)

Connecticut (CT)

Commissioning authority: Connecticut Secretary of the State
Exam required?: No proctored exam — applicants answer a set of questions built into the application under oath
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 5 years
Fee range: ~$120 application fee (no state bond is required)

Delaware (DE)

Commissioning authority: Delaware Department of State — apply at notary.delaware.gov
Exam required?: No (an approved course is required only to perform electronic notarizations)
Training: No mandatory course for a traditional commission
Term: 2 years for a first commission; 4 years on renewal
Fee range: ~$60 application fee (no state bond is required)

Florida (FL)

Commissioning authority: Florida Department of State (Division of Corporations)
Exam required?: No
Training: Yes — a 3-hour education course for first-time applicants (free online via the state)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: $39 state filing fee (excludes the $7,500 surety bond)

Georgia (GA)

Commissioning authority: The Clerk of Superior Court in your county of residence (records via GSCCCA) — not the Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — mandatory training with an exam (90% to pass), effective Jan 1, 2025
Training: Yes — an education course before appointment/renewal
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$40–$55 county application fee plus a $2 exam fee

In Georgia the commissioning authority is your county's Clerk of Superior Court, not the Secretary of State.

Hawaii (HI)

Commissioning authority: The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General — not the Lieutenant Governor or Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a written, closed-book exam after your application is approved (roughly 80% to pass)
Training: No mandatory course — self-study from the state's Notary Public Manual
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$20 application plus a $10 exam fee and a $100 commission fee; excludes the $1,000 bond

In Hawaii the commissioning authority is the Attorney General's office.

Idaho (ID)

Commissioning authority: Idaho Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course (a free online course is offered)
Term: 6 years
Fee range: ~$30 online filing fee (excludes the $10,000 bond); paper filings cost more

Illinois (IL)

Commissioning authority: Illinois Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — an approved course plus a 50-question exam (85% to pass); attorneys/judges exempt on renewal
Training: Yes — an approved course of study
Term: 4 years
Fee range: $15 application (traditional); ~$40 for a traditional + electronic commission

Indiana (IN)

Commissioning authority: Indiana Secretary of State, via the INBiz portal
Exam required?: Yes — Indiana requires both an exam (roughly 80% to pass) and an education course
Training: Yes — an education course, plus continuing education roughly every two years
Term: 8 years
Fee range: ~$75 application fee (which covers filing, course, and exam); excludes the $25,000 bond

Indiana is one of the few states that requires both an exam and a mandatory course.

Iowa (IA)

Commissioning authority: Iowa Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 3 years (1 year for eligible non-resident border-state applicants)
Fee range: ~$30 application fee (no state bond is required)

Kansas (KS)

Commissioning authority: Kansas Secretary of State
Exam required?: No (a course and exam apply only to remote online notarization)
Training: No mandatory course for a standard commission
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$25 application fee (excludes the $12,000 surety bond)

Kentucky (KY)

Commissioning authority: Kentucky Secretary of State (after approval you take the oath and file at your County Clerk's office)
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$10 state filing fee plus a county clerk fee (commonly ~$19, but it varies by county); a $1,000 bond is required

Louisiana (LA)

Commissioning authority: Louisiana Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a rigorous state exam (Louisiana-licensed attorneys are exempt)
Training: Self-study exam preparation is expected; passing the exam is the gate
Term: Lifetime commission — does not expire (you must maintain a $50,000 surety bond, renewed every 5 years)
Fee range: ~$100–$200 in state fees (application to qualify, pre-assessment, exam, and commissioning)

Louisiana notaries are quasi-attorneys with broad civil-law powers (they can draft and execute authentic acts). The commission is for life, not a fixed term.

Maine (ME)

Commissioning authority: Maine Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — an exam administered by the Secretary of State
Training: No mandatory course (an applicant must also be recommended by a registered Maine voter)
Term: 7 years
Fee range: ~$50 application processing fee (no state bond is required)

Maine requires an exam but no training course.

Maryland (MD)

Commissioning authority: Maryland Secretary of State (the commission is finalized by taking the oath before the Clerk of the Circuit Court)
Exam required?: Yes for new applicants — a course of study plus an exam (effective Oct. 1, 2021); renewals need the course only
Training: Yes — an approved course of study for both new and renewing notaries
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$25 state application fee plus an ~$11 Clerk of Court fee (no state bond is required)

Massachusetts (MA)

Commissioning authority: Appointed by the Governor with the Governor's Council, administered by the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 7 years
Fee range: ~$60 commissioning fee (no state bond is required)

Massachusetts notaries are appointed by the Governor and Governor's Council, not the Secretary of State alone.

Michigan (MI)

Commissioning authority: Michigan Secretary of State (Office of the Great Seal)
Exam required?: No
Training: No
Term: 6–7 years (the commission ends on the notary's birthday)
Fee range: ~$20 ($10 state + $10 county clerk); excludes the $10,000 surety bond

Minnesota (MN)

Commissioning authority: Minnesota Secretary of State (the commission is also recorded with your county of residence)
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: ~5 years — the commission expires January 31 of the fifth year after issuance
Fee range: ~$120 state application fee plus an ~$20 county recording fee (no state bond is required)

Mississippi (MS)

Commissioning authority: Mississippi Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$25 application fee (excludes the $5,000 surety bond)

Missouri (MO)

Commissioning authority: Missouri Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — an exam tied to the state's Notary Handbook (roughly 80% to pass), part of the online training
Training: Yes — an online (or written) training course tied to the Notary Handbook
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$25 in state fees (excludes the $10,000 bond)

Montana (MT)

Commissioning authority: Montana Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — the Montana Notary Exam (roughly 80% to pass)
Training: Yes — at least 4 hours of approved training before applying
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$25 non-refundable application fee (excludes the $25,000 surety bond)

Nebraska (NE)

Commissioning authority: Nebraska Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a 20-question online exam (roughly 85% to pass)
Training: No mandatory course (exam only; prep courses are optional)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$30 application fee (excludes the $15,000 surety bond)

Nevada (NV)

Commissioning authority: Nevada Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a state-provided training course and exam (roughly 80% to pass)
Training: Yes — the state's training course (bundled with the exam)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$35 application fee plus ~$45 for the course/exam; excludes the $10,000 bond

New Hampshire (NH)

Commissioning authority: Appointed by the Governor with the Executive Council; applications are processed by the Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course (the application must be endorsed by two notaries and a registered NH voter)
Term: 5 years
Fee range: ~$75 application fee (no state bond is required)

New Hampshire notaries are appointed by the Governor and Executive Council, not the Secretary of State alone.

New Jersey (NJ)

Commissioning authority: The NJ State Treasurer, via the Dept. of the Treasury's Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services — not the Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes for non-attorney first-time applicants — a 6-hour course plus an exam (NJ-admitted attorneys are exempt)
Training: Yes — a 6-hour course for new non-attorney applicants; a 3-hour continuing-education course for renewals
Term: 5 years
Fee range: ~$25 filing fee plus an exam fee up to ~$15 (no state bond is required)

New Jersey commissions notaries through the State Treasurer's office, not the Secretary of State.

New Mexico (NM)

Commissioning authority: New Mexico Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — an online training course and exam (roughly 80% to pass) before commissioning
Training: Yes — an online training course (a course fee, ~$30, is separate from the state filing fee)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$30 state filing fee (excludes the $10,000 surety bond and the course fee)

New York (NY)

Commissioning authority: New York Department of State
Exam required?: Yes (attorneys and court clerks are exempt)
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$15 exam fee plus a $60 application fee

North Carolina (NC)

Commissioning authority: North Carolina Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — an exam, 80% to pass
Training: Yes — a 6-hour approved course, often via a community college (attorneys exempt)
Term: 5 years
Fee range: $50 state filing fee, plus the course (typically ~$60–$90)

North Dakota (ND)

Commissioning authority: North Dakota Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$36 state filing fee (excludes the $7,500 surety bond)

Ohio (OH)

Commissioning authority: Ohio Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a test via a state-authorized provider (non-attorney applicants)
Training: Yes — a 3-hour education program (non-attorneys)
Term: 5 years (non-attorney commission)
Fee range: $15 state filing plus ~$130 for education and testing

Oklahoma (OK)

Commissioning authority: Oklahoma Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course (a background check applies under recent legislation)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$25 filing fee, plus a background-check cost; excludes the surety bond (raised to $10,000 under 2025 legislation — older sources cite $1,000)

Oklahoma's bond amount and a new background-check step changed under recent legislation; confirm the current figures with the Secretary of State.

Oregon (OR)

Commissioning authority: Oregon Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a 20-question open-book exam (you may miss no more than four)
Training: Yes — a free state training course within 6 months before applying
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$40 application fee (no state bond is required)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Commissioning authority: Pennsylvania Department of State
Exam required?: Yes — administered by Pearson VUE for first-time and lapsed applicants
Training: Yes — a 3-hour course within 6 months prior to applying
Term: 4 years
Fee range: $42 application plus a $65 exam (excludes the $25,000 surety bond)

Rhode Island (RI)

Commissioning authority: Appointed by the Governor; administered by the Rhode Island Secretary of State
Exam required?: Effectively yes — a Notary Knowledge Assessment (roughly 80% to pass); attorneys in good standing are generally exempt
Training: No mandatory course (a self-study manual is provided)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$80 for the 4-year commission (no state bond is required)

South Carolina (SC)

Commissioning authority: Appointed by the Governor (the application routes through your county legislative delegation); the Secretary of State issues the commission
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course (recommended)
Term: 10 years
Fee range: ~$25 filing fee (no state bond is required)

South Carolina notaries are appointed by the Governor, and commissions run 10 years.

South Dakota (SD)

Commissioning authority: South Dakota Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 6 years
Fee range: ~$30 filing fee (the surety bond requirement was eliminated effective July 1, 2025 — older sources still cite a $5,000 bond)

Tennessee (TN)

Commissioning authority: Elected by your county legislative body; the application is processed by the County Clerk and the commission is issued by the Governor — not the Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$12 state application fee (a $10,000 bond is required; counties may charge additional issuance/recording fees)

In Tennessee notaries are elected by the county legislative body and commissioned by the Governor, not appointed by the Secretary of State.

Texas (TX)

Commissioning authority: Texas Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — new as of Jan 1, 2026 (a 20-question exam, 70% to pass)
Training: Yes — up to 2 hours of education (new for 2026)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$21 state filing plus a $20 exam fee (excludes the $10,000 surety bond)

Utah (UT)

Commissioning authority: The Lieutenant Governor of Utah — not the Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — an online exam for new and renewing notaries
Training: No mandatory course (an optional study guide is available)
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$95 total (~$55 application plus a ~$40 testing fee); a $5,000 bond is required

Utah has no Secretary of State; notaries are commissioned by the Lieutenant Governor.

Vermont (VT)

Commissioning authority: Vermont Secretary of State (Office of Professional Regulation)
Exam required?: Yes for first-time applicants — a basic open-book exam built into the application
Training: No separate course (the open-book exam is the only knowledge requirement)
Term: 2 years — all commissions expire January 31 of odd-numbered years
Fee range: ~$30 application fee (no state bond is required)

Virginia (VA)

Commissioning authority: The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 4 years (the commission ends on the last day of your birth month)
Fee range: ~$45 non-refundable fee (no bond for a traditional paper commission; a $10,000 bond applies to an electronic-notary commission)

Washington (WA)

Commissioning authority: The Washington State Department of Licensing — not the Secretary of State
Exam required?: No
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$40 application fee (a $10,000 surety bond is required)

In Washington State notaries are handled by the Department of Licensing, not the Secretary of State.

West Virginia (WV)

Commissioning authority: West Virginia Secretary of State
Exam required?: No — applicants attest they have read the state's notary law
Training: No mandatory course
Term: 5 years
Fee range: ~$52 filing fee (no state bond is required; it was eliminated in 2018)

Wisconsin (WI)

Commissioning authority: The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — not the Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a free online tutorial and exam (roughly 90% to pass)
Training: Yes — the online tutorial that accompanies the exam
Term: 4 years
Fee range: ~$20 filing fee (a $500 surety bond is required)

In Wisconsin notaries are handled by the Department of Financial Institutions, not the Secretary of State.

Wyoming (WY)

Commissioning authority: Wyoming Secretary of State
Exam required?: Yes — a 20-question true/false exam built into the application (roughly 70% to pass)
Training: Yes — you must review the state's Notary Education Presentation (mandatory since July 1, 2021)
Term: 6 years (per the current state application; some third-party sources still cite 4 years)
Fee range: ~$60 non-refundable fee (no state bond is required; it was made optional in 2021)

Washington D.C. (DC)

Commissioning authority: The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia (Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications)
Exam required?: No formal written exam — a mandatory orientation on DC notary law is required
Training: Yes — a mandatory orientation session covering DC notary laws and rules
Term: 5 years
Fee range: ~$75 filing fee (a $2,000 surety bond is required)

VoltExam is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with any state board. Practice for the notary exam free at voltexam.com/study/notary.