{"slug":"notary-exam-requirement-census","title":"Notary Exam by State: 25 of 51 Require a Written Test","description":"All 51 U.S. jurisdictions checked against their own statute or commissioning authority: 25 require a written notary exam, 5 require training but no test.","updated":"2026-08-16","url":"https://www.everyexamprep.com/reports/notary-exam-requirement-census","license":"Free to reuse and cite with attribution to Every Exam Prep and a link to the report URL.","columns":[{"name":"jurisdiction","description":"The jurisdiction the row describes."},{"name":"exam_required","description":"The verdict reached for this jurisdiction."},{"name":"what_the_authority_requires","description":"What the authority actually publishes or requires, summarised from the source."},{"name":"source","description":"The primary source this verdict was verified against; empty where the source could not be reached."}],"rows":[{"jurisdiction":"Alabama","exam_required":"Education only, no exam","what_the_authority_requires":"No exam found. Notaries are appointed by county probate judges, not the Secretary of State.","source":"https://www.sos.alabama.gov/administrative-services/notaries-public"},{"jurisdiction":"Alaska","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://ltgov.alaska.gov/notary/overview-and-qualifications/"},{"jurisdiction":"Arizona","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"Notary competency examination under A.R.S. § 41-270, mandatory for all new AND renewing notaries since July 1, 2025. 45 questions drawn from the 2025 Notary Public Reference Manual, 60-minute limit, 80% passing, open-book (manual embedded in the test; no physical copy allowed).","source":"https://azsos.gov/business/notary"},{"jurisdiction":"Arkansas","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"\"A multiple choice exam is required for all notary applicants\" (initial and 10-year renewal). Minimum passing score 80%. Taken online via a link inside the online application (hosted on ClassMarker); the Notary Exam Certificate must be uploaded with the application.","source":"https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/notary-e-notary"},{"jurisdiction":"California","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"Gov. Code § 8201 requires the applicant to \"satisfactorily complete and pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State.\" The SOS checklist is: Complete Approved Education → Register for the Exam → Take the Exam → Live Scan fingerprints → commission packet.","source":"https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/qualifications"},{"jurisdiction":"Colorado","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"The SOS's own \"Become a notary\" steps are: meet qualifications → \"Attend the state-approved notary training\" → \"Complete online notary testing\" → apply.","source":"https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/notary/newNotary.html"},{"jurisdiction":"Connecticut","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"Weak form — there is no separate proctored test. \"The application contains an examination that tests your understanding of the material contained in the manual. You must answer each question correctly before you will be provided a notary commission.\" Taken under oath inside the eLicense.ct.gov online application.","source":"https://portal.ct.gov/sots/business-services/notary/notary-public-licensing"},{"jurisdiction":"Delaware","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://notary.delaware.gov/apply-notary-commission/"},{"jurisdiction":"District of Columbia","exam_required":"Education only, no exam","what_the_authority_requires":"No exam. The DC Notary Public Handbook contains no examination requirement.","source":"https://os.dc.gov/service/notary-commissions"},{"jurisdiction":"Florida","exam_required":"Education only, no exam","what_the_authority_requires":"No exam.","source":"https://notaries.dos.fl.gov/"},{"jurisdiction":"Georgia","exam_required":"Education only, no exam","what_the_authority_requires":"No exam. The GSCCCA educational rules and application page describe only a training course and a Certificate of Completion.","source":"https://www.gsccca.org/notary-and-apostilles/notaries/public-education-rules"},{"jurisdiction":"Hawaii","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"After the Attorney General approves the application, \"the applicant must pass a written, closed-book examination\" covering HRS ch. 456, ch. 502 sections, 603-1, 621-12/621-13 and practical notary duties.","source":"https://ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public/"},{"jurisdiction":"Idaho","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://sos.idaho.gov/notary-public/"},{"jurisdiction":"Illinois","exam_required":"Unverified","what_the_authority_requires":"Statute contemplates one but implementation could not be verified. 5 ILCS 312/2-101.5 (\"Course of study and examination,\" P.A.","source":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActName=Illinois%20Notary%20Public%20Act.&ActID=107&ChapterID=2&SeqStart=800000&SeqEnd=2000000"},{"jurisdiction":"Indiana","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"\"All applicants must take a notary education course and pass an exam. The education course and exam are available after paying the application fee.\" Delivered online through the SOS/INBiz notary system; once the exam is passed the application goes to the SOS for final review.","source":"https://www.in.gov/sos/business/2378.htm"},{"jurisdiction":"Iowa","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://sos.iowa.gov/about-notaries"},{"jurisdiction":"Kansas","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://sos.ks.gov/general-services/notary.html"},{"jurisdiction":"Kentucky","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://web.sos.ky.gov/notaries/NotaryPublic.aspx"},{"jurisdiction":"Louisiana","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"Statewide standardized Louisiana Notary Public Examination administered by the Secretary of State — the hardest notary exam in the country. Non-attorney applicants must first complete the mandatory online Notary Exam Pre-Assessment (one time, no passing score needed) before they may register.","source":"https://www.sos.la.gov/notary/exam-preparation"},{"jurisdiction":"Maine","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"4 M.R.S. § 1923: an applicant who does not already hold a Maine commission \"must pass an examination administered by the Secretary of State or an entity approved by the Secretary of State\"; renewal applicants must also pass an examination.","source":"https://www.maine.gov/sos/corporations-commissions/commissions/apply-renew-a-notary"},{"jurisdiction":"Maryland","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"\"A NEW applicant [must] complete a course of study AND pass an examination in order to become a notary public.\" Both are delivered by SOS-authorized providers from a published list; the applicant receives a certificate of completion for the course and a separate result for the examination.","source":"https://sos.maryland.gov/Notary/Pages/NewApplicant.aspx"},{"jurisdiction":"Massachusetts","exam_required":"Unverified","what_the_authority_requires":"Could not verify from the state authority. sec.state.ma.us (Secretary of the Commonwealth, Notary/Commissions pages) and malegislature.gov both block automated access (Incapsula), and mass.gov alternatives returned nothing.","source":"https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/commissions/notary-information.htm"},{"jurisdiction":"Michigan","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://www.michigan.gov/sos/all-services/notary-application"},{"jurisdiction":"Minnesota","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/359.01"},{"jurisdiction":"Mississippi","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://www.sos.ms.gov/regulation-enforcement/notaries-apostilles/notaries-faqs"},{"jurisdiction":"Missouri","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"RSMo § 486.605.2(5) makes passing an examination a qualification for commission.","source":"https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=486.605"},{"jurisdiction":"Montana","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"\"To be eligible for a new or renewed commission, an applicant must meet the education requirements and pass an examination as provided in 1-5-620, MCA.\" Per ARM 44.15.101(4): the exam must be taken no more than six months before the application; \"A grade of 80% is considered passing\"; after three failed attempts the applicant must wait three months.","source":"https://sosmt.gov/notary/applying-for-a-commission-new-and-renewal/"},{"jurisdiction":"Nebraska","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"Step 1 of the SOS's official process: \"Take and pass the Nebraska Notary Exam.\" 20 questions, 85% passing score, three attempts (failure after three attempts permanently disqualifies the applicant), taken online via ClassMarker through a link on the SOS site.","source":"https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/business-services/Notary/StepstoObtainanInitialNotaryCommission.pdf"},{"jurisdiction":"Nevada","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"NRS 240.015(1)(d) makes completion of a course of study under NRS 240.018 a general qualification, and NRS 240.018(1)(a)(1) requires that the course \"[m]ust include at least 3 hours of instruction and an examination relating to the functions and duties of notaries public.\" NRS 240.018(3) requires the course of both (a) first-time applicants and (b) applicants renewing a commission.","source":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-240.html"},{"jurisdiction":"New Hampshire","exam_required":"Unverified","what_the_authority_requires":"Could not verify from the state authority. sos.nh.gov returns 403/Access Denied to curl, headless browser and WebFetch alike, and gencourt.state.nh.us (the NH statutes site, RSA ch. 455) does not resolve from this environment. No verdict recorded. Treat as DO NOT BUILD.","source":"https://www.sos.nh.gov/notaries-public-and-justices-peace"},{"jurisdiction":"New Jersey","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"P.L. 2021, c. 179 created an education and testing requirement; the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services \"implemented the educational/testing requirements on July 22, 2022,\" operating under N.J.A.C. 17:50 (adopted January 11, 2022, in force to January 11, 2029).","source":"https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/pdf/2025NotaryPublicEdcuationProgramReport.pdf"},{"jurisdiction":"New Mexico","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"The SOS's Become a Notary steps require the applicant to \"Successfully complete the Notary Education course and exam\" — \"Take an online education course and successfully complete the exam\" — and to submit the Certificate of Completion of Notary Education Course with the application.","source":"https://www.sos.nm.gov/notary-and-apostille/become-a-notary/"},{"jurisdiction":"New York","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"Written exam administered by the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, at scheduled exam sites around the state (the DOS publishes a Written Exam Schedule). Fees: $15 written exam, $60 initial application. NYS attorneys and court clerks of the Unified Court System are exempt from the examination.","source":"https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public"},{"jurisdiction":"North Carolina","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"G.S. 10B-8(a): every applicant for an initial commission must, within the three months preceding application, take a classroom course of not less than six hours approved by the Secretary AND \"take a written examination approved by the Secretary.","source":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_10B/GS_10B-8.html"},{"jurisdiction":"North Dakota","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://sos.nd.gov/notary-apostille/become-notary-public"},{"jurisdiction":"Ohio","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"ORC 147.021(A)(1): \"no person shall be appointed as a notary public unless that person has completed an educational program related to the requirements of this chapter and passed a test demonstrating knowledge of such requirements.\" The SOS adopts by rule the entities authorized to administer the program and the required test and the test's provisions and content; both are delivered by SOS-authorized third-party providers, not by the SOS directly.","source":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-147.021"},{"jurisdiction":"Oklahoma","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://www.sos.ok.gov/notary/default.aspx"},{"jurisdiction":"Oregon","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"The SOS's List of Qualifications for a commission includes both \"Completed a notary training course within the last 6 months\" and \"Passed the Secretary of State's Notary Public examination.\" The examination is issued by the Oregon SOS Corporation Division as part of the commission application packet.","source":"https://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/notary-qualification.aspx"},{"jurisdiction":"Pennsylvania","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"\"All first-time notaries must pass a notary examination administered by the Department's examination vendor Pearson VUE\" — also required if a previous commission has expired. Proctored at Pearson VUE test centers. $42 application fee; exam fee set by Pearson VUE.","source":"https://www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Notaries/Pages/default.aspx"},{"jurisdiction":"Rhode Island","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://www.sos.ri.gov/Divisions/NotaryPublic/ApplyForNewCommission"},{"jurisdiction":"South Carolina","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"No exam for a traditional commission. Note: electronic notary registration does require watching an educational video and completing online testing through the SOS eNotary portal — that is an endorsement for existing notaries, not the base commission.","source":"https://sos.sc.gov/services-and-filings/notaries"},{"jurisdiction":"South Dakota","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://sdsos.gov/general-services/notary-public/how-become-notary.aspx"},{"jurisdiction":"Tennessee","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://sos.tn.gov/businesses/guides/how-to-become-a-notary"},{"jurisdiction":"Texas","exam_required":"Education only, no exam","what_the_authority_requires":"No exam. SB 693 (89th Legislature, effective Sept 1, 2025) added Tex.","source":"https://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/notary-public.shtml"},{"jurisdiction":"Utah","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"The Lieutenant Governor's notary office lists \"Pay for and pass the online exam\" as a required step: \"Take, Pay for, & Pass the Test… be ready to pay the $95 administration fee immediately. Results are provided instantly upon payment.","source":"https://notary.utah.gov/qualifications-and-process/"},{"jurisdiction":"Vermont","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"\"For applications received prior to February 1, 2021, no examination is required.","source":"https://sos.vermont.gov/notaries-public/notary-faqs/"},{"jurisdiction":"Virginia","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/official-documents/notary-commissions/become/notary-application-process/"},{"jurisdiction":"Washington","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"Explicitly ruled out by the authority: \"At this time there is no education requirement or examination as part of the notary public commission application.\"","source":"https://dol.wa.gov/guides/washington-state-notary-public-guide/frequently-asked-questions"},{"jurisdiction":"West Virginia","exam_required":"No exam","what_the_authority_requires":"","source":"https://sos.wv.gov/licensing/notary-public/applying-notary-public-commission"},{"jurisdiction":"Wisconsin","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"A commission requires that the applicant \"[h]ave passed the notary exam (must print certificate) with 90% or better within one year of applying\" — the highest published passing score of any state notary exam.","source":"https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/ConsumerServices/NotaryPublic/GeneralInformation.aspx"},{"jurisdiction":"Wyoming","exam_required":"Exam required","what_the_authority_requires":"Weak form. The SOS application instructions state: \"You must review the Notary Education Presentation found at sos.wyo.gov/Services/Notaries.aspx and complete the attached examination required by W.S. § 32-3-121(a).","source":"https://sos.wyo.gov/Forms/NotariesPublic/WYNotaryApp.pdf"}]}