California Notary Exam Dates and Schedule (2026)

Open the official CPS HR registration site and review the currently posted examination locations and sessions. Availability shown there is more reliable than a copied schedule because sessions can be added, filled, moved, or canceled.

Register using the same legal name that appears on the identification you will present. Save the confirmation and review its arrival-time and location instructions.

Schedule after completing the required approved education course and when you can consistently score above the passing threshold on timed practice. Avoid waiting until the end of your application window.

If your preferred location is unavailable, check other authorized locations or later sessions through the official portal rather than relying on an unofficial calendar.

The California notary public exam is offered at authorized testing locations published through CPS HR. Search the live registration system by date and location rather than assuming that a previously used site still hosts the test.

Complete California notary exam registration with accurate contact information so schedule changes and admission instructions reach you. A registration confirmation is not a notary commission and does not replace the separate Secretary of State application.

Use the official contractor’s policy for rescheduling or canceling. Deadlines and refund rules can depend on the session, so act as soon as a conflict appears.

If you miss an examination or arrive without required identification, follow the contractor’s instructions for registering again. The commissioning agency—not a practice-test provider—controls whether any additional documentation is required.

The exam is based on California notary law and the Secretary of State handbook. Concentrate on identification, journal entries, certificates, thumbprints, fees, advertising restrictions, disqualifying conduct, and penalties.