Pennsylvania Notary Public Exam Exam Guide
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $65
- Governing body
- Pennsylvania Department of State
The Pennsylvania Notary Public exam is a requirement for anyone seeking to become a commissioned notary public in Pennsylvania. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of State, this credential authorizes individuals to serve as impartial public witnesses and to perform critical administrative and legal acts such as acknowledgments, jurats, and other notarizations. Notaries play a vital role in the legal system by helping deter fraud and verifying the authenticity of signatures on important documents.
People who need to become notaries range from legal professionals and real estate agents to bank employees and notary signing agents. The certification demonstrates competency in understanding notarial procedures, identifying signers, understanding different types of notarial acts, and complying with Pennsylvania's laws governing notary conduct. A notary commission is valid for a term of four years from the appointment date.
Exam Requirements and Prerequisites
Before you can sit for the Pennsylvania notary exam, you must complete a three-hour preapproved notary public education course. This course must be completed within six months immediately preceding your application. After passing the course, you will be authorized to take the examination, and you have a six-month window from authorization to successfully pass the test.
Exam Content and Domains
The exam assesses your knowledge of notarial acts and responsibilities. Core topics include the definition and proper execution of acknowledgments and jurats, understanding when each type of notarial act applies, and the identification requirements for signers. You'll need to demonstrate knowledge of which acts require the signer to be physically present, which require oaths or affirmations, and the proper documentation of these acts in a notary journal.
The exam also covers the notary's ethical obligations and prohibited activities. This includes understanding that a notary must refuse to notarize when a signer appears coerced, does not understand the transaction, or cannot be properly identified. You must know that a notary cannot notarize a document in which the notary is a party or has a direct financial interest, cannot give legal advice, and cannot notarize a signature unless the signer is physically present. Finally, you'll need to understand the notary's duty to maintain exclusive control of the official seal and journal.
Cost and registration
The application fee for a Pennsylvania notary commission is $42.00, payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The examination itself has a separate cost of $65 per test, administered through Pearson VUE. Additionally, within 45 days of appointment, the newly commissioned notary must execute a $25,000 bond.
Exam format
The Pennsylvania notary exam is administered by Pearson VUE. Candidates take the examination online through the OnVUE platform. To test via OnVUE, you must have stable internet with at least 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speeds. You must begin check-in 30 minutes early for technology and identity verification.
Important to note: Pennsylvania allows only one attempt to take the notary exam via online testing. Once you are authorized to sit for the examination, you have a six-month window to successfully pass the test. If you need to retake the exam, you would need to reapply. Applicants should allow up to four weeks for review and approval of their application before they can schedule their exam.
Frequently asked questions
Is an exam required to become a notary public in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania requires notary applicants to pass an examination before they can be commissioned. The exam tests your knowledge of notary law and procedure, including the different notarial acts and your duties as an impartial public officer. Passing it is a standard step in the application process alongside the other state requirements.
How much does the Pennsylvania notary exam cost?
The Pennsylvania notary examination costs $65 per test attempt. If you do not pass on your first try, you pay that fee again for each retake, so solid preparation before your first sitting saves money. Other application costs, such as commission and bonding fees, are separate, so check the Pennsylvania Department of State's site for the full cost breakdown.
Who administers the PA notary exam and how do I schedule it?
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, the Department of State's examination vendor. Once you are authorized to test, you schedule your appointment through Pearson VUE at one of its testing centers. Check the Pennsylvania Department of State's notary pages for the current scheduling steps before you book.
How long do I have to pass the exam once I'm approved to test?
You have six months from the time you are authorized to sit for the examination to pass it. If you do not pass within that window, you will need to restart the authorization process, so it is smart to begin studying as soon as your approval comes through and schedule your test date early.
How many questions are on the PA notary exam and what score do I need to pass?
Pennsylvania does not make its exam widely predictable, and the question count, time limit, and passing score can change, so confirm the current format with the Pennsylvania Department of State and Pearson VUE before test day. What stays consistent is the content: the exam focuses on notarial acts, identification requirements, prohibited acts, and recordkeeping duties. Study those topics thoroughly and the format details will matter far less.
Where should I start studying for the Pennsylvania notary exam?
Start with the core duties the exam covers: what a notary is, the types of notarial acts, how to identify signers, and what a notary may never do. A notary public is a public officer commissioned by the state to serve as an impartial witness to signings and to deter fraud, and most exam questions flow from that role. Free practice questions and a printable cheat sheet on this site let you test yourself before spending anything on paid courses.
Sources
- 1.Notary Examination Requirement — Pennsylvania Department of State (accessed Jul 9, 2026)
Official sources
Primary documents used to verify the exam details shown on this page.
- Notary Examination RequirementPennsylvania Department of Statepa.gov
- Notaries — Application InformationPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislationpa.gov
- Pennsylvania Notary — OnVUE Online TestingPearson VUEpearsonvue.com
- Pennsylvania Notary Exam — Scheduling and RegistrationPearson VUEpearsonvue.com
- Notaries — Mandatory Education RequirementPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislationpa.gov
- Notaries — Examination RequirementPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislationpa.gov
Last verified against the official exam content outline: