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Pennsylvania Notary Examination
Find the current format, timing, scoring, fees, eligibility, and testing options for PA Notary Exam, with direct links to official sources.
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Questions30 questions: 25 scored plus 5 unscored pretest items
Testing time60 minutes
ScoringScaled passing score of 75
Exam feeUSD 65 exam fee per attempt (paid to Pearson VUE), plus a separate non-refundable USD 42 notary application fee paid to the Department of State
Prep options
Study resources for PA Notary Exam
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- PA DOS
- Category
- Notarial Practice
- Current version
- Current specification; no public version label (current Candidate Information Bulletin dated March 2026, rev. 05/2026)
- Where it applies
- US-PA, United States
- Exam languages
- English
- Score scale
- 0-100 scaled score (numeric scores reported only to failing candidates)
- Testing provider
- Pearson VUE
- Format
- Computer-based at Pearson VUE test centers, or online via OnVUE remote proctoring for the first attempt only (subsequent attempts must be at a test center)
- Availability
- Year-round by appointment at Pearson VUE test centers (any US test center) or via one online OnVUE attempt, after Department approval to test
- Results
- Preliminary exam results provided at the conclusion of the examination; appointment letter verifies passage (about 30 days to process appointment)
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
25 scored multiple-choice items (three answer options each) across three content areas: Obtaining Notary Commission (4), Performing Notarial Acts - Paper-based, Electronically, or Remotely (18), and Notary Commission Management and Compliance (3), plus 5 unscored pretest items
Where rules vary
Examination is required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for appointment and commission as a Pennsylvania notary public under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (effective October 26, 2017).
Eligibility
At least 3 hours of Department-approved notary education completed within the 6 months before application (required for initial appointment and reappointment), plus an approved notary application and USD 42 application fee before an approval-to-test notice is issued
Retake policy
May be retaken as many times as needed within the 6-month authorization window; must wait 24 hours after a failed attempt before rebooking; only one attempt may be taken online