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California Notary Practice Exam 2026

The California Notary Public Examination is a 45-question, one-hour, closed-book test that every applicant for a notary commission must pass, whether they are applying for the first time or seeking reappointment. It is administered by CPS HR Consulting for the California Secretary of State, and its content comes from the official Notary Public Handbook.

ExamCleared is an independent practice test with 144 original questions written from the 2026 Handbook and the California codes. We are not affiliated with the Secretary of State or CPS HR Consulting. Practice test only. California requires a 6-hour course from an approved education vendor — this does not replace it. Use it alongside your course to check what you know before test day.

Scope: Practice test only. California requires a 6-hour course from an approved education vendor — this does not replace it.

Questions: 45 (40 scored, 5 unscored pilot items)
Time: 60 minutes
To pass: 70 (scaled score)
Exam fee: $40 exam fee ($20 if you failed your last exam)
Required course: 6-hour Secretary of State-approved course (3-hour refresher for eligible current notaries)

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144 original questions · every answer explained with its legal source · bank last verified 2026-11-07
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Free California notary practice exam questions

Five sample questions from the bank — open each answer to see the explanation and the legal source. Take the free 10-question test to practice with a timer and a score.

1. Which of the following is NOT a required entry in a California notary's sequential journal?

The date, time, and type of each official act
The character of each instrument notarized
The signature of each person whose signature is notarized
The signer's Social Security number

Show answer

Answer: D. The signer's Social Security number

Section 8206(a)(2) lists the required entries: date, time, and type of act; character of the instrument; the signer's signature; how identity was proven; the fee; and a thumbprint where required. A Social Security number is not on the list.

Source: Gov. Code §8206(a)(2)(A)-(C) · verified 2026-11-07

2. What is the term of office of a California notary public?

Two years beginning on the date the oath is filed
Four years beginning on the date specified in the commission
Four years beginning on the date the exam was passed
Five years beginning on the date the bond is recorded

Show answer

Answer: B. Four years beginning on the date specified in the commission

Gov. Code §8204 sets a four-year term that starts on the date specified in the commission, not the exam date or the filing date.

Source: Gov. Code §8204 · verified 2026-11-07

3. A signer offers a current U.S. Passport Card (the wallet-sized card, not the passport book). According to the Secretary of State, may a California notary accept it?

No, only the passport book is a "passport"
Yes, but only if it has a signature on the back
No, unless the signer also shows a Social Security card
Yes, as a passport issued by the U.S. Department of State

Show answer

Answer: D. Yes, as a passport issued by the U.S. Department of State

Section 1185(b)(3)(B) accepts a passport issued by the U.S. Department of State and does not distinguish between the book and the card, so the Passport Card is acceptable.

Source: Notary Public Handbook 2026, FAQ (Civ. Code §1185(b)(3)(B)) · verified 2026-11-07

4. Besides a notary public, which of these officials is authorized by Civil Code §1181 to take an acknowledgment in California, within the county or city where the official was elected or appointed?

A county assessor
A county sheriff
A city attorney
A county treasurer

Show answer

Answer: C. A city attorney

Section 1181 lists officials such as superior court clerks, county clerks, court commissioners, district attorneys, city clerks, county counsel and city attorneys. Assessors, sheriffs and treasurers are not listed.

Source: Civ. Code §1181(i) · verified 2026-11-07

5. A customer brings her original birth certificate and asks a notary to make and certify a copy for a passport application. What is the correct response?

Certify the copy after carefully comparing it with the original certificate
Certify the copy if the customer signs a sworn statement that it is accurate
Attach a jurat to the photocopy and stamp it with the notary's official seal
Decline; only vital-records registrars and county recorders may certify copies

Show answer

Answer: D. Decline; only vital-records registrars and county recorders may certify copies

Notaries may not certify copies of vital records such as birth, death, or marriage certificates. Under Health & Safety Code §103545, only the State Registrar, local registrars, and county recorders may make certified copies.

Source: Notary Public Handbook 2026, Q&A (Health & Safety Code §103545), p. 27 · verified 2026-11-07

What the California notary exam is and who takes it

The exam is the written test prescribed by the Secretary of State. Passing it is one of the legal qualifications for appointment as a notary public in California. According to the Secretary of State's qualifications page, an applicant must:

be 18 years of age or older;
be a legal California resident;
complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State;
pass the written examination;
pass a background check (fingerprints are submitted through Live Scan).

Current notaries also have to pass the exam again for each new commission. The commission term is four years (Government Code §8204), so plan to retest before your current commission runs out.

California notary exam format: questions, time limit and passing score

Here is the format as published by CPS HR Consulting:

Questions: 45 multiple-choice items. Five of them are unscored pilot items, so 40 count toward your score. The pilot items are not marked, so answer every question carefully.
Time limit: one hour.
Closed book: the exam is proctored and you may not use the Handbook or any notes.
Passing score: a scaled score of at least 70. CPS HR says the scaled score is not the same as the percentage of questions you answered correctly, and it does not publish how many correct answers you need.
Results: sent about 15–20 business days after the exam. A rescore request has to be made in writing with a $30.00 money order.

The exam is on paper, so bring sharpened No. 2 pencils. CPS HR also notes the room may not have a clock, but you may wear an analog watch. Our timed full-length mode uses the same 45 questions in 60 minutes, so you can practice your pacing.

Exam fees and how to register

Fees, from the CPS HR What to Bring page:

$40.00 for new applicants and reappointments;
$20.00 if you failed the last exam you took (bring a printed copy of your fail letter).

Pay with a separate check, money order or cashier's check made payable to the Secretary of State. Cash is not accepted, temporary checks are not accepted, and fees are nonrefundable. Fingerprinting is a separate cost, paid to your Live Scan provider.

To register, choose a location, date and time from the CPS HR Test Schedule and sign up online on the registration page. Walk-ins are allowed on a space-available, first-come, first-served basis. They are admitted only after all pre-registered candidates, so a seat is not guaranteed.

Bring these on exam day:

a current photo ID, or one issued within the last 5 years;
your completed notary application with a 2" x 2" color passport photo attached;
your course proof of completion certificate, showing your full name and signed by the vendor;
the fee payment;
No. 2 pencils.

You can take the exam only once per calendar month. A second attempt in the same month is not counted, and you lose the fee you paid for it.

Prerequisites: the required notary education course

The 2026 Notary Public Handbook says every applicant must complete a six-hour course of study approved by the Secretary of State before appointment, no matter how many commission terms they have held before (Government Code §8201(a)(3) and (b)).

A three-hour refresher course is enough only if you hold a current California commission, have completed the six-hour course at least once, and apply before your current commission expires. If your commission has already expired, you need the full six-hour course again.

This practice test does not replace the required course. Take the course from an approved vendor first, then use practice questions to find and fix weak spots.

What topics are on the California notary exam

CPS HR says the exam is based on the information in the Notary Public Handbook. Neither CPS HR nor the Secretary of State publishes an official content outline or topic weights. Our bank covers the main areas of the Handbook:

qualifications, the course, the commission, the oath and the $15,000 bond;
the notary seal and the journal of notarial acts, including thumbprint requirements;
satisfactory evidence of identity, ID documents and credible witnesses;
acknowledgments and the all-purpose acknowledgment certificate (Civil Code §1189);
jurats, oaths and affirmations;
special acts: proof of execution by a subscribing witness, signature by mark, certified copies of powers of attorney;
the Online Notarization Act and recognition of notarial acts;
maximum fees, advertising, immigration documents, unauthorized practice of law and conflicts of interest;
misconduct, civil penalties and criminal provisions.

Study tips for California notary exam questions

Study from the current Handbook. Use the January 2026 edition. It reproduces the relevant Government Code and Civil Code sections, and the exam is drawn from it.
Memorize the numbers. Many questions test exact figures, such as the $15,000 bond, the 30-calendar-day deadline to file the oath and bond, the four-year term, maximum fees, and the ID age limits.
Watch for "personal knowledge" traps. The Handbook says an acknowledgment may not be taken, and a jurat may not be executed, on the basis of personal knowledge alone. You need satisfactory evidence of identity even for someone you have known for years.
Know when a thumbprint is required. A right thumbprint goes in the journal for deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust and other documents affecting real property, and for powers of attorney.
Separate acknowledgments from jurats. Know who signs where and when, whether an oath is given, and what each certificate's wording must say.
Practice under time pressure. You get 60 minutes for 45 items. Take at least one full timed exam, then go back over every explanation, including for questions you got right.

Every ExamCleared question comes with an explanation and a cited statute or official source, with the date it was verified. You can try 10 free questions without an account. Paid access is a one-time payment with no subscription: $14.99 for 30 days or $19.99 for 90 days, with a 7-day money-back guarantee.

After you pass: fingerprints, commission, oath and bond

Results validity: test results are valid for one year from the exam date (2 CCR §20803).
Background check: fingerprints must be submitted electronically through the California Department of Justice Live Scan Program.
Oath and bond: after your commission is issued, you have 30 calendar days from the start of the term to file an oath of office and a $15,000 surety bond with the county clerk's office. The commission does not take effect until both are filed.
Term: the commission lasts four years from the date specified in it.

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Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the California notary exam?

45 multiple-choice items: 40 are scored and 5 are unscored pilot items. You have one hour.

What score do I need to pass the CA notary public exam?

A scaled score of at least 70. CPS HR says this is not a percentage of correct answers, and the number of correct answers needed is not published.

Is the California notary exam open book?

No. It is a closed-book exam given by proctors.

How much does the exam cost?

$40 for new applicants and reappointments, or $20 if you failed your last exam. Pay by check, money order or cashier's check made payable to the Secretary of State. Fees are nonrefundable.

Do I need to take a course before the exam?

Yes. New applicants need a six-hour course approved by the Secretary of State. Current notaries who completed the six-hour course before and apply before their commission expires may take a three-hour refresher instead. This practice test does not replace the course.

How soon can I retake the exam if I fail?

You can test only once per calendar month. The retake fee is $20 with a printed copy of your fail letter.

How long are my exam results valid?

One year from the date of the examination.

Are these the real California notary exam questions?

No. ExamCleared's California notary practice test is made of original questions based on the Notary Public Handbook and California statutes. We are not affiliated with the Secretary of State or CPS HR Consulting.

Is there a free California notary practice exam?

Yes. The first 10 questions are free, with no account or email needed. Full access to all 144 questions, practice by topic and the timed full-length exam starts at $14.99 as a one-time payment.

Is the California notary exam hard?

It depends on your preparation. To pass you need 70 (scaled score). The most reliable way to check is a timed full-length practice exam: ours has 45 questions and shows your percentage against a practice target, and your results by topic show which areas still need work.

Related practice tests

Sources

https://cpshr.us/services/california-notary-exam-2/notary-exam-information/ — 45 items, one-hour time limit
https://cpshr.us/services/california-notary-exam-2/what-to-bring/ — $40 exam fee
https://cpshr.us/services/california-notary-exam-2/notary-exam-registration/ — Walk-ins
https://cpshr.us/services/california-notary-exam-2/exam-materials/ — Exam based on the Handbook
https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/qualifications — Age 18 or older
https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/faqs — Live Scan
https://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-handbook-current.pdf — 6-hour course required

ExamCleared is independent and not affiliated with California Secretary of State (Notary Public Section); exam administered by CPS HR Consulting. Our questions are original practice questions written from public law and official materials — not actual exam questions. Confirm current requirements with the official agency before you register.