Notary Public License Law for New York Notaries from the Division of Licensing in Albany, NY

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Notary Education Requirements by State

To become a Notary Public, some states require that new and/or renewing applicants take a Notary education course or Notary examination before hand. The following is a complete list of education and examination requirements by state. We make every effort to maintain the list. Should you find any errors, please email us.

Alabama - Not Required

Alaska - Not Required

Arizona - Not Required

Arkansas- Not Required

California - Examination and Education Course Required
Six (6) hour Notary education course for new Notary applicants and a three (3) hour Notary education course for renewing Notary applicants. The course must be “State Approved”. The Notary examination is given by a third (3rd) party vendor, Contact the California Cooperative Personnel Service (CPS) at (916) 263-3520.

Colorado- Not Required

Connecticut - Exam Required
Examination 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
Oral Examination to be taken after the application has been approved. Renewing Notaries are exempt from taking the examination.

Florida - Education Course Required
Three (3) hour Notary education course taken either online or in a live classroom environment. The course must be "state approved".

Georgia - Not Required

Hawaii - Examination Required
The examination is a closed-book examination and requires a passing score of 80%. Any applicant who fails the examination twice must wait ninety (90) days before he/she may retake the examination.

Idaho - Not Required

Illinois - Not Required

Indiana - Not Required

Iowa - Not Required

Kansas - Not Required

Kentucky - Not Required

Louisiana - Examination Required
Attorney's licensed in Louisiana are exempt from taking the Notary examination.

Maine - Examination Required
The Notary examination is open book and is included with the Notary application.

Maryland - Not Required

Massachusetts - Not Required

Michigan - Not Required

Minnesota - Not Required

Mississippi - Not Required

Missouri - Education Course Required
Notary 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

Nebraska - Examination Required
Notary examination is a take home, open book examination comprised of multiple choice-True/False questions.

Nevada - Education Course Required
Each new Notary applicant must complete a four (4) hour education course taken either online or in a live classroom environment. Notary commissions for renewal which have expired for a period greater than one (1) year must take the four (4) hour education course.

New Hampshire - Not Required

New Jersey - Not Required

New Mexico - Not Required

New York - Examination Required
Attorneys licensed to practice in New York are exempt from taking the Notary examination. Examinations are regularly scheduled throughout the state and are closed book multiple choice format. If an applicant fails, the examination may be retaken at any time.

North Carolina - Education Course and Examination Required
Notary education must not be less than six (6) hours of classroom instruction for new Notaries and an examination passing grade of 80% or higher. Renewing Notaries must take the examination with a passing grade of 80% or higher.

North Dakota - Not Required

Ohio - Not Required

Oklahoma - Not Required

Oregon - Education Course and Examination Required
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 three (3) hours of instruction. Education is provided by the state, private vendors and employers.

Pennsylvania - Education Course Required
Education must be at least three (3) hours, "State Approved", taken either online or by classroom instruction, and taken within a six (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 - Examination Required
Examination is administered online through a third (3rd) party vendor- PSI (800) 620-5802.

Vermont - Not Required

Virginia - Not Required

Washington - Not Required

West Virginia - Not Required

Wisconsin - Not Required

Wyoming - Not Required
Although an examination is not required by law it is recommended by the Secretary of State. The examination is included with the application to become a Notary, and if taken, should be mailed with the application.