How to Pass the California Notary Exam (2026 Guide)

How to Pass the California Notary Public Exam (2026 CPS HR Guide)

A comprehensive walkthrough of the exam structure, requirements, and the three most common mistakes that cause candidates to fail.

📋 Exam Snapshot

Administrator CPS HR Consulting
Format 45 Multiple Choice Questions
Time Limit 60 Minutes (80 seconds per question)
Passing Score 70% (Must answer at least 32 correctly)
Score Validity 1 Year from exam date
Retake Policy Once per calendar month if failed

Exam Administration & Registration

The California Notary Public Exam is administered exclusively by CPS HR Consulting, a third-party testing organization contracted by the California Secretary of State. The exam is offered at multiple testing centers throughout California on scheduled dates.

You must complete a state-approved 6-hour notary education course before you are eligible to take the exam. Once you’ve completed the course, you can register for an exam appointment through the CPS HR website.

What to Bring to the Exam Center

Required Items:

  • Current Photo ID: Valid driver’s license, passport, or state-issued ID card. The name must match your application exactly.
  • 2×2 Passport-Style Photo: Required for your application packet. Must be taken within the last 6 months.
  • Check or Money Order: Total of $60 made payable to “Secretary of State”
    • $40 application fee
    • $20 exam fee
  • #2 Pencils: For completing the Scantron answer sheet.
⚠️ Important: Cash and credit cards are typically NOT accepted at exam sites. Arrive prepared with a check or money order.

Exam Structure & Passing Requirements

The California Notary Exam is a closed-book, proctored exam consisting of 45 multiple-choice questions. You have exactly 60 minutes to complete it, giving you approximately 80 seconds per question.

The Math Behind Passing

To pass, you must achieve a score of at least 70%, which means answering 32 out of 45 questions correctly. Here’s the breakdown:

70% = 31.5 questions → Rounds up to 32 correct answers required

This means you can afford to miss 13 questions and still pass. However, since there’s no penalty for guessing, never leave an answer blank.

Score Validity Period

If you pass, your exam score is valid for one year from the exam date. Within this timeframe, you must:

  1. Complete your Live Scan background check
  2. File your Oath of Office and $15,000 surety bond with your county clerk
  3. Receive your official commission certificate from the Secretary of State

If you fail to complete these steps within one year, your exam score expires and you must retake the exam.

Top 3 Reasons Candidates Fail

The California Notary Exam tests specific legal nuances and procedural details that go beyond common sense. Most failures can be traced to three recurring misconceptions:

❌ Failure Reason #1: Confusing Bond vs. Insurance

Many candidates mistakenly believe the $15,000 surety bond protects them personally. It doesn’t.

The $15,000 Bond: Protects the public. If you make an error that causes financial harm, the victim files a claim against your bond. The bonding company pays the victim, then pursues you for reimbursement.

Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance: Protects you. This optional insurance covers your legal defense costs and any judgments against you.

💡 Exam Tip: Questions about “who is protected by the bond” are extremely common. The answer is always the public, never the notary.

❌ Failure Reason #2: Mixing Up Jurat vs. Acknowledgment

These are the two most common notarial acts, and the exam heavily tests your understanding of the difference:

Acknowledgment: The signer acknowledges that they signed the document voluntarily and that the signature is theirs. The notary verifies identity but does NOT require the document to be signed in their presence. No oath is administered.

Jurat: The signer swears or affirms under oath that the content of the document is true. The document must be signed in the notary’s presence. An oath is required.

💡 Exam Tip: Look for keywords like “sworn statement,” “affidavit,” or “under penalty of perjury”—these require a jurat, not an acknowledgment.

❌ Failure Reason #3: The 30-Day Filing Deadline

After passing the exam and receiving your commission certificate from the Secretary of State, you have exactly 30 calendar days to file your Oath of Office and surety bond with your county clerk.

Not 31 days. Not “about a month.” Exactly 30 days.

If you miss this deadline, your commission becomes void, and you must start the entire application process over, including retaking the exam.

💡 Exam Tip: Watch for questions that test this deadline with slight variations (25 days, 35 days, 45 days). Only 30 days is correct.

Retake Policy

If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, California allows you to retake it—but only once per calendar month.

For example, if you fail on January 15th, you must wait until February 1st or later to schedule your next attempt. Use this waiting period strategically:

  • Re-read the official California Notary Public Handbook, focusing on the sections about fees, penalties, and administrative procedures
  • Take practice tests available through your notary education provider
  • Review the three failure reasons above until the distinctions are crystal clear

There is no limit to the total number of times you can retake the exam, but each attempt requires paying the $20 exam fee again.

Official Exam Registration Checklist

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California Notary Resources:

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