| Education and/or Exam Requirements by State |
In order to become a notary some states require that new and/or renewing applicants take a notary education/notary training course or a notary exam. The following is a complete list of edcuation and exam requirements by state. If you have any questions please contact ASN at (850) 671-5164.
Alabama- Not Required
Alaska- Not Required
Arizona- Not Required
Arkansas- Not Required
California- Exam and Education Course Required
NOTE- 6-hour notary education course for new notary applicants and a 3-hour notary education course for renewing notary applicants. Course must be State Approved. Notary exam is given by a 3rd party vendor, Contact Cooperative Personnel Service (CPS) at (916) 263-3520.
Colorado- Education Required
NOTE- EFFECTIVE July 1, 2009 - The Secretary of State's Office shall promulgate rules to require notaries to complete a training program.
Connecticut- Exam Required
NOTE- Exam is included with the application and all questions must be answered correctly for a commission to be issued.
Delaware- Not Required
District of Columbia- Exam Required
NOTE- Oral Exam to be taken after application has been approved. Renewing notaries are exempt from retaing the exam.
Florida- Education Course Required
NOTE- 3-hour notary education course taken either online or in a live classroom environment. Course must be "state approved".
Georgia- Not Required
Hawaii- Exam Required
NOTE- The exam is a closed-book exam and requires a passing score of 80%. Any applicant that fails the exam twice must wait 90 days before he/she may retake the exam.
Idaho- Not Required
Illinois- Not Required
Indiana- Not Required
Iowa- Not Required
Kansas- Not Required
Kentucky- Not Required
Louisiana- Exam Required
NOTE- Attorney's licensed in Louisiana are exempt from taking the notary exam.
Maine- Exam Required
NOTE- Exam is open book and included with the notary application.
Maryland- Not Required
Massachusetts- Not Required
Michigan- Not Required
Minnesota- Not Required
Mississippi- Not Required
Missouri- Education Course Required
NOTE- Education Course may be taken online or other "Approved Method" by the Secretary of State's Office. Each applicant is also required to obtain and read the Missouri Notary Handbook provided by the Secretary of State's Office.
Montana- Not Required (See NOTE Below)
NOTE- EFFECTIVE July 1, 2010 All new notary applicants must complete a training course that has been approved by the Secretary of State's Office. Renewing notaries must obtain training under certain circumstances.
Nebraska- Exam Required
NOTE- Exam is a take home, open book exam comprised of multiple choice-True/False questions.
Nevada- Education Course Required
NOTE- Each new notary applicant must complete a 4-hour education course taken either online or in a live classroom environment. Notary Commissions up for renewal that have expired for a period greater than 1-year must take the 4-hour education course.
New Hampshire- Not Required
New Jersey- Not Required
New Mexico- Not Required
New York- Exam Required
NOTE- Attorneys licensed to practice law in NY are exempt from taking the exam. Examinations are regularly scheduled throughout the state and are closed book exams.
North Carolina- Education Course and Exam Required
NOTE- Notary education must not be less than 6-hours of classroom instruction for new notaries and an exam passing grade of 80% or higher. Renewing notaries must take the exam with a passing grade of 80% or higher.
North Dakota- Not Required
Ohio- Not Required
Oklahoma- Not Required
Oregon- Education Course and Exam Required
NOTE- The written, open book examination is included with the application to become a notary. New applying notaries are required to complete 3 hours of instruction. Renewing notary applicants who have let their commission lapse must take the required 3 hours of instruction. Education is provided by the state, private vendors and employers.
Pennsylvania- Education Course Required
NOTE- Education must be at least 3 hours, "State Approved", taken either online or by classroom instruction, and taken within a 6-month period preceding their application.
Rhode Island- Not Required
South Carolina- Not Required
South Dakota- Not Required
Tennessee- Not Required
Texas- Not Required
Utah- Exam Required
NOTE- Exam is administered online through a 3rd party vendor- PSI (800) 620-5802.
Vermont- Not Required
Virginia- Not Required
Virgin Islands (U.S.)- Not Required
Washington- Not Required
West Virginia- Not Required
Wisconsin- Not Required
Wyoming- Not Required
NOTE- Although an exam is not required by law it is recommended by the Secretary of State. The exam is included with the application to become a notary, and if taken, should be mailed in with the application.
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