California Notary Public Exam 2026

Role of a Notary Public

A California Notary Public is a public official appointed by the California Secretary of State to serve as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents.

This is a statewide commission. Once appointed, you can perform notarial acts anywhere in California. Your primary duty is to verify the identity of signers, ensure they are signing of their own free will, and witness the signing of documents such as property deeds, powers of attorney, and affidavits.

The commissioning process has four main milestones: complete mandatory education, pass the proctored state exam, clear a background check (Live Scan), and file your oath and surety bond with the County Clerk. This guide walks through each step in detail.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a California Notary Public commission, you must meet the following statutory requirements:

Unlike some other states, there is no requirement to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be able to read, write, and understand English to perform your duties effectively.

Pre-Licensing Education

Every applicant must complete a mandatory education course from a vendor approved by the Secretary of State. The requirements depend on your current commission status:

Courses are available online, in-person, or via self-study. Online courses are most common and generally cost between $25 and $60.

After completing the course, you will receive a Proof of Completion certificate. You must bring this physical certificate with you to the state exam.

Course Validity: Your Proof of Completion certificate is valid for 24 months from the date of issuance. You must take and pass the exam within this window.

Live Scan Fingerprinting

California requires all notary applicants to undergo a background check. This is done via Live Scan, an electronic fingerprinting process.

Unlike the education course, you typically complete the Live Scan after passing the exam. The Secretary of State will not issue your commission until the DOJ and FBI background checks clear, which can take 2–6 weeks.

You will need to use the official Request for Live Scan Service form provided by the Secretary of State (Form BCIA 8016). You can find Live Scan locations at local police departments, UPS stores, or dedicated background check centers.

Fees: You must pay the Live Scan operator a rolling fee (varies by location, ~$25-$40) plus the federal and state background check fees ($32 DOJ and $17 FBI). Expect to pay around $75–$90 total for fingerprinting.

Scheduling Your Exam

The California Notary Public exam is administered by CPS HR Consulting on behalf of the Secretary of State. Unlike many other state exams, these are strictly proctored, in-person sessions held at diversos locations (hotels, community centers, etc.) across the state.

Test sites are available in major regions including Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Fresno. Sessions often fill up weeks in advance, so it is best to schedule early.

What the Exam Covers

The exam consists of 45 multiple-choice questions based on the official California Notary Public Handbook. You have 60 minutes to complete it.

The exam includes 5 unscored "pretest" items that do not affect your final score. Focus on the Handbook terminology — many questions are phrased exactly as written in the state law.

Testing Locations

Unlike some other professional licenses, the California Notary Public exam must be taken in-person. There is currently no option for remote or online proctoring.

You will be in a room with other applicants, and proctors will monitor the session. You must remain for the duration of the exam or until you are excused.

Exam & Application Fees

California combines the exam fee and application fee into a single payment made at the test site.

Important: Payment must be made by check or money orderpayable to the "Secretary of State." Cash and credit cards are typically NOT accepted at the test site.

Separately, you will pay for your 6-hour course (~$40), Live Scan fingerprinting (~$80), notary supplies (~$100), and your $15,000 surety bond (~$50). Total cost to become a notary is approximately $300–$400.

In-Person vs. Remote Testing

You have two options for taking the exam:

The exam content, format, time limit, and fee are identical regardless of which option you choose. The remote option is convenient if you don't live near a testing center, but be aware that technical issues (internet drops, webcam problems) can disrupt your session. If you have a reliable setup and a quiet room, remote testing works well.

Exam Day

If testing in person: Arrive at the PSI testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You'll need to present a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your exam registration. You'll be given a locker or asked to leave personal belongings outside the testing room — no phones, notes, or study materials are allowed.

If testing remotely: Log into PSI Bridge about 15 minutes before your scheduled time. The proctor will verify your identity via webcam, ask you to show your room and workspace, and then launch your exam. Make sure your phone is out of reach and your desk is completely clear.

The exam is multiple-choice on a computer. You can flag questions to review and navigate back and forth between questions — unlike the DMV test, you are not locked into answering in order. At the end of the allotted time (or when you submit), your score is calculated instantly and you'll see your pass/fail result on screen.

Passing Score

The passing score for the California Notary Public exam is a scaled score of 70.

While 70% may seem manageable, the exam is highly specific. Questions often hinge on precise timeframes (e.g., 30 days vs 10 days) or specific fine amounts. Comprehensive study of the Handbook is essential for success.

If You Pass

Congratulations! Passing the exam is the biggest hurdle. CPS HR will mail your official results within 15 business days. Once the Secretary of State receives your passing score and clears your background check, they will mail your commission packet to your business address.

Important: You are not yet a notary until you file your oath and bond. The commission packet will contain your commission certificate and a list of local county recorders.

While waiting for your packet, you should begin shopping for your notary seal (stamp) and notary journal. You cannot order a seal until you have your actual commission certificate in hand, as the manufacturer requires a copy to produce it.

If You Fail

If you do not pass, don't be discouraged. The California Notary exam is known for being tricky. You will receive a notification of your score by mail or through the CPS HR portal.

Retake Policy: You may retake the exam, but only once per calendar month. If you take the exam multiple times in a single month, only the first score will count.

The retake fee is reduced to $20. Use our practice tests to focus on areas like "Proof of Execution" and "Administrative Penalties," which are often the most difficult sections for candidates.

Oath of Office & Surety Bond

This is the final, critical step. Once you receive your commission packet, you have exactly 30 days to file your oath of office and a $15,000 surety bond with the County Clerk in your primary county of business.

The surety bond protects the public from financial losses caused by your mistakes or misconduct. It is NOT insurance for you; if a claim is paid out, the bonding company will seek reimbursement from you.

Notary Supplies: Journal & Seal

Every California notary must maintain a formal, sequential notary journaland possess an authorized rubber stamp seal.

Renewing Your Commission

A California Notary Public commission is valid for 4 years. To avoid a lapse in service, you should begin the renewal process 6 months before your commission expires.

The fees for renewal are the same as the initial application ($40). If you allow your commission to expire for even one day, you must take the 6-hour course instead of the 3-hour refresher.

Study Strategy

Most candidates spend 20–40 hours preparing for the California Notary exam. Because the exam is notoriously picky about numbers and timeframes, a structured approach is best:

Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is the single most effective way to prepare for the 45-question marathon. They help you get comfortable with the law-based phrasing and identify exactly which Handbook sections you need to review.

Our California Notary Practice Exams: You can take unlimited practice examsright here on our site. Our questions are updated for the 2026 Handbook and cover everything from Acknowledgments to the neuesten penalty updates.

A good benchmark: if you can consistently score 85% or higher on our practice tests, you're in excellent shape for the state's 70% passing requirement.

Notary Signing Agent (NSA)

Once you become a commissioned Notary Public, you may choose to become a Notary Signing Agent (NSA). This is a separate, private certification (often through the NNA) that qualifies you to facilitate real estate loan signings.

Quick Reference

Official Links