North Carolina Notary Public Exam 2026

Role of a Notary Public

A North Carolina Notary Public is a public official commissioned by the NC Secretary of State to serve as an impartial witness in the performance of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. Notaries play a critical role in protecting the public from fraud by verifying the identity of document signers and ensuring that signatures are given freely and voluntarily.

The authority and duties of a North Carolina Notary Public are governed by G.S. Chapter 10B, the North Carolina Notary Public Act. This is a statewide commission — once appointed, you may perform notarial acts anywhere within the state of North Carolina. The most common notarial acts performed are acknowledgments, jurats, verifications or proofs, oaths and affirmations, and attested copies of documents.

Unlike some states where notarization is a simple rubber-stamp affair, North Carolina holds notaries to a high standard. You are expected to personally know or verify the identity of every person whose signature you notarize, maintain a detailed journal of all notarial acts, and use your official seal correctly on every certificate you complete.

The commissioning process has several key milestones: complete a state-approved 6-hour education course, pass the state-administered notary exam, and qualify before a register of deeds in any North Carolina county by taking an oath of office. This guide walks through each step in detail.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a North Carolina Notary Public commission under G.S. Chapter 10B, you must meet the following statutory requirements at the time of application:

There is no requirement to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be a legal resident of North Carolina. There is also no requirement to be employed in a specific profession — any qualifying resident can apply. Attorneys licensed in NC are exempt from the education and exam requirements under certain conditions, but this guide addresses the standard commissioning path.

Pre-Licensing Education (6 Hours)

North Carolina requires every notary applicant — both first-time applicants and those renewing an existing commission — to complete a 6-hour state-approved notary education course before taking the state exam. This is a firm requirement with no exceptions for experience or prior training; the course must be completed before you are eligible to register for the exam.

The 6-hour requirement applies uniformly to new applicants and to notaries renewing their commission. Unlike some other states that offer a shortened refresher course for renewals, North Carolina mandates the same 6-hour program regardless of how many times you have previously been commissioned. This ensures that all active notaries are current on any changes to state law.

Take the course seriously — the exam questions draw directly from the course content and the underlying statutes in G.S. Chapter 10B. Candidates who rush through the course material without careful attention often find the exam more difficult than expected.

Exam Overview

After completing the 6-hour education course, you must pass a written exam administered by the NC Secretary of State. The exam is the state's way of confirming that you have a solid working understanding of North Carolina notary law before you are entrusted with performing official notarial acts for the public.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. You must achieve a score of at least 80 out of 100 (80%) to pass. All questions are based on G.S. Chapter 10B and the course curriculum. There is no partial credit — each question is either correct or incorrect.

The exam is offered through the NC Secretary of State's notary program. After you complete your approved education course, your provider will typically submit your completion information to the SOS, or you will register directly through the SOS notary portal. The approximate exam fee is ~$50, though you should verify the current fee on the official sosnc.gov/divisions/notary website before scheduling.

The exam is not open-book. You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID on exam day. No reference materials, phones, or electronic devices are permitted in the testing area. The format and time limit will be communicated when you register — most candidates complete the exam well within the allotted time.

What the Exam Covers

All 100 exam questions are drawn from the material covered in the 6-hour education course and from the text of G.S. Chapter 10B. Expect to see questions across the following major topic areas:

Questions are often scenario-based: you will be presented with a specific situation and asked what the correct notarial procedure is, or whether a given action is permissible. Knowing the statute language precisely is very helpful, as many distractors differ by only a single word or number.

Scheduling Your Exam

The North Carolina notary exam is administered through the NC Secretary of State's notary program. After completing your approved 6-hour education course, you (or your course provider) will need to register you for the exam through the SOS. Contact the NC Secretary of State's Notary Division or visit the official notary portal at sosnc.gov/divisions/notary for current scheduling information, available exam dates, and locations.

Exam sessions are offered at locations throughout North Carolina. It is advisable to register as soon as you complete your education course, as seats at popular locations can fill quickly. Check the SOS website for the most current schedule, as dates and locations are updated regularly.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, contact the SOS Notary Division as early as possible. Policies on cancellations and refunds are set by the SOS and should be confirmed when you register.

Fees

North Carolina notary applicants should budget for several fees throughout the commissioning process. Always verify current fees on the official SOS website, as they may be updated.

North Carolina does not require a surety bond for notary applicants — this is one of the ways the NC process differs from states like California. The absence of a bond requirement keeps the total cost of becoming a notary in NC relatively low compared to many other states.

In total, budget approximately $150–$250 to cover your education course, exam fee, and initial supply purchases. This is an estimate — actual costs will depend on your course provider and the vendor you choose for supplies.

Exam Day

Arrive at the exam location early — at least 15 to 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. Late arrivals may not be admitted. You must bring a valid, current government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, state ID card, or U.S. passport) with a name that matches your exam registration. Expired IDs are not acceptable.

The exam is closed-book. No reference materials, notes, phones, or electronic devices are permitted in the testing area. You will be provided with any scratch paper or materials needed. Proctors will monitor the room throughout the session. You must remain until you have completed the exam or the time has expired.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Read each question carefully — many questions include qualifiers like "always," "never," or "must," which can change the correct answer entirely. Scenario-based questions are common, and the correct answer often depends on the precise language of G.S. Chapter 10B rather than general common sense.

Once you complete the exam, your score will be reported to you and to the NC Secretary of State. If you pass with an 80% or higher, you will receive instructions on how to proceed with qualifying before a register of deeds to receive your official commission.

Passing Score

The passing score for the North Carolina Notary Public exam is 80 out of 100 questions correct (80%). This is a higher threshold than many other states, reflecting North Carolina's expectation that its commissioned notaries have a thorough, working knowledge of the Notary Public Act before they begin serving the public.

Because you need to answer 80 of 100 questions correctly, there is little margin for guessing. Candidates who rely on general knowledge without deeply studying the G.S. Chapter 10B statute and course materials often fall just short. Particular attention should be paid to identification requirements, journal procedures, and the specific elements required on each type of notarial certificate.

A good preparation benchmark: if you can consistently score 90% or higher on our practice tests, you are in a strong position to meet the state's 80% passing requirement on exam day.

If You Pass

Passing the exam is a major milestone, but you are not yet commissioned. After passing, you must take the next required step: qualify before a register of deeds in any North Carolina county. This means you must appear in person before the register of deeds (or their deputy) in any NC county and take an official oath of office as a notary public.

This qualifying step is required by G.S. Chapter 10B and is what formally grants you notarial authority. Until you have taken the oath before a register of deeds, you may not perform any notarial acts, even if you have passed the exam. The oath is a solemn commitment to faithfully discharge the duties of the office of notary public in accordance with state law.

You may qualify before the register of deeds in any NC county — you are not required to use the county in which you live or work. Most registers of deeds offices handle this process during regular business hours; call ahead to confirm their procedure for swearing in notaries, as some offices require an appointment.

While waiting to qualify, begin shopping for your official notary seal/stamp and journal, as you will need both before you can perform your first notarial act. Your commission will be issued with a 5-year term running from the date of qualification.

If You Fail

If you do not achieve the 80% passing score, you will need to retake the exam. North Carolina's 80% threshold is intentionally high, and many candidates find that the exam is harder than expected if they have not studied the statute closely. A failing score is not the end of the road — most candidates pass on a subsequent attempt after more focused preparation.

Contact the NC Secretary of State's Notary Division to find out about scheduling a retake and the applicable retake fee. Review your exam results carefully to identify the topic areas where you lost the most points, and focus your additional study on those specific sections of G.S. Chapter 10B.

Use our North Carolina practice tests to drill the topics that cost you points — areas like identification requirements, the specific elements of each type of notarial certificate, and the journal retention rules are frequent stumbling blocks. A targeted review of the most commonly tested areas, combined with consistent practice, will put you in much better shape for your next attempt.

Commission Issuance

Once you have passed the exam and taken your oath before the register of deeds, your notary commission is formally issued. Your commission certificate documents your commissioned name, the county in which you qualified, and your commission expiration date. Keep this certificate in a safe place — you will need the information on it to order your official notary seal, and you may be asked to produce it by employers, title companies, or clients.

Your commission is active statewide from the moment you take your oath. You may perform notarial acts anywhere in North Carolina — you are not limited to the county where you qualified. Your seal, however, must display the county of your commission as recorded when you qualified before the register of deeds.

Before performing your first notarial act, make sure you have your official seal/stamp and notary journal in hand. Performing a notarial act without a proper seal or without making an entry in your journal are violations of G.S. Chapter 10B that can result in disciplinary action.

Notary Supplies: Seal & Journal

Every North Carolina notary public must have two essential tools: an official notary seal (stamp) and a notary journal. Both are legally required under G.S. Chapter 10B and must be in your possession before you perform any notarial acts.

Proper journal keeping is one of the most important — and most tested — aspects of North Carolina notary law. A well-maintained journal protects both you and the public: it creates a contemporaneous record that can verify or dispute claims about a notarization years after it was performed.

Commission Length

A North Carolina Notary Public commission is valid for 5 yearsfrom the date you qualify before the register of deeds. This is a longer commission term than many other states (California, for example, issues 4-year commissions), which means less frequent renewal obligations for NC notaries.

Your commission expiration date will be printed on your commission certificate and should be reproduced on your notary seal or recorded where you can easily reference it. It is your responsibility to track your own commission expiration date — the Secretary of State may send renewal reminders, but you should not rely on receiving them.

After your commission expires, you must immediately stop performing notarial acts. Notarizations performed on or after the expiration date are legally void and can expose you to personal liability. Begin the renewal process well before your commission expires to avoid any lapse in authority.

Renewing Your Commission

When your 5-year commission is nearing expiration, you must complete the full renewal process to continue notarizing. North Carolina does not offer a streamlined renewal path — the renewal requirements are essentially the same as the initial commissioning requirements.

It is strongly recommended to begin the renewal process at least 3 to 6 months before your commission expires. This gives you time to complete the course, schedule the exam at a convenient time, pass on the first attempt, and qualify before the register of deeds — all before your current commission lapses.

If your commission expires before you complete the renewal process, you must stop performing notarial acts immediately. You will still need to complete the renewal steps, but there will be a gap in your commission. For active notaries — especially those who perform notarizations professionally — avoiding this gap is critical.

Electronic Notarization

North Carolina permits electronic notarization under G.S. Chapter 10B, Article 2 (the Electronic Notary Public Act). Electronic notarization allows a notary to perform notarial acts on electronic documents using an electronic signature and an official electronic notary seal, rather than using physical ink and an embossed or inked stamp.

To perform electronic notarizations, you must hold a separate electronic notary commission issued by the NC Secretary of State. You cannot simply begin performing electronic notarizations on the strength of your standard paper notary commission — the electronic commission is an additional credential that requires a separate application and approval process.

You must also use an electronic notarization platform or technology that has been approved by the NC Secretary of State. The SOS maintains a list of approved electronic notarization solution providers. Using an unapproved platform, even with a valid electronic commission, does not produce a legally valid notarization under NC law.

Traditional (paper) notary commissions are required before you can apply for an electronic notary commission. In other words, you must first complete the standard commissioning process described in this guide before becoming eligible to apply for an electronic notary commission.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

North Carolina authorizes Remote Online Notarization (RON), which allows a commissioned notary to perform notarial acts for signers who are physically located elsewhere — including in other states or countries — using audio-visual communication technology over the internet. RON was formalized in North Carolina as part of updates to G.S. Chapter 10B.

To perform RON, you must hold a valid electronic notary commissionfrom the NC Secretary of State (in addition to your standard notary commission) and must use an approved RON platform. North Carolina maintains a list of SOS-approved RON solution providers — you may not use a platform that has not been vetted and approved, regardless of how widely it may be used in other states.

RON sessions require real-time audio-visual communication between the notary and the signer. The notary must be physically located in North Carolina at the time of the RON session. The notary is responsible for verifying the signer's identity using approved methods within the RON platform — typically through knowledge-based authentication (KBA), credential analysis, or both — as well as through the live audio-visual interaction.

The RON journal requirements mirror those for traditional notarizations: you must maintain a secure electronic journal of all RON acts, and the RON platform must create and retain an audio-visual recording of the session for a minimum period specified under NC law. RON offers significant convenience for signers who cannot appear in person, and the NC SOS has actively worked to make the process accessible for both notaries and the public.

Study Strategy

Because the passing threshold is 80%, North Carolina candidates cannot afford a casual approach. Most candidates who prepare thoroughly spend 15–30 hours studying beyond the 6-hour course itself. A structured study approach dramatically improves pass rates:

Pay particular attention to the prohibited acts section of Chapter 10B — the exam commonly includes questions about situations a notary must refuse. Equally important are the rules around journal entries: what must be recorded, when, and how. These two areas account for a significant portion of exam questions and are where many candidates lose points.

Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the North Carolina notary exam. The 100-question format and 80% passing requirement mean that consistent, deliberate practice is essential — not just reading the material, but testing yourself on it under exam conditions.

Our North Carolina Notary Practice Exams: You can take unlimited practice exams right here on our site. Our questions are written specifically for the North Carolina exam and cover all major topic areas under G.S. Chapter 10B — from notarial acts and identification rules to journal requirements and electronic notarization.

Practice tests help you in two key ways: they identify the specific areas where your knowledge is weakest so you can focus your study time, and they build familiarity with the style of question you will see on exam day. Scenario-based questions — "A notary is asked to notarize a document where the signer presents an ID that expired six months ago. What should the notary do?" — are much easier to answer when you have practiced them repeatedly.

Aim to score 90% or higher on our practice tests consistently before scheduling your actual exam. This gives you a meaningful buffer above the 80% state requirement and accounts for the normal variation in test-day performance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Based on the types of questions that appear most frequently on the NC notary exam — and the areas where candidates most often lose points — here are the most common mistakes to watch out for:

Careful study of the prohibited acts provisions in G.S. Chapter 10B will help you avoid many of these pitfalls both on the exam and in your actual practice as a notary.

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