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California Notary Public Examination

Find the current format, timing, scoring, fees, eligibility, and testing options for California Notary Exam, with direct links to official sources.

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Questions45 items total: 40 scored items plus 5 non-scored items

Testing time1 hour (plan 2-3 hours total for registration, testing, and proctor instructions)

ScoringScaled score of at least 70 required to pass

Exam feeUSD 40.00 exam and application processing fee; USD 20.00 re-examination fee for applicants who previously failed (check or money order payable to the Secretary of State)

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Exam overview

What to know before choosing your prep

Who runs it: California SOS
Category: Notarial Practice
Current version: Current specification; no public version label (all material in the current 2026 California Notary Public Handbook is subject to examination)
Where it applies: California, United States
Exam languages: English
Score scale: 0-100 scaled score
Testing provider: CPS HR Consulting
Format: Closed-book, proctored, multiple-choice examination at scheduled test centers
Availability: Regularly scheduled sessions at established test centers throughout California, per a published multi-month exam schedule
Results: Results emailed/mailed approximately 15-20 business days after the exam date
Score validity: Test results valid for one year from the examination date

Exam structure

40 scored multiple-choice items across five content areas: Misconduct/Fees (15), Notarial Acts/Documentation (12), Administrative Procedures (5), Identification/Subscribing Witness Notarizations (4), and Immigration/Foreign Language (4), plus 5 non-scored pretest items

Where rules vary

Examination is required for a California notary public commission; applicants must be legal California residents, and the resulting commission is valid throughout California.

Eligibility

Secretary of State approved six-hour notary education course (three-hour refresher accepted only for currently commissioned notaries seeking reappointment), Proof of Completion certificate, completed application with 2x2 color passport photo, and photo ID at the exam site; applicants must be 18+ and legal California residents

Retake policy

Failed candidates may reapply and retest, but no more than once per calendar month; a second same-month score is invalid and fees forfeited