Oregon Notary Exam: Free Practice Test & 2026 Study Guide
This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The practice questions are based on current Oregon notary law (ORS Chapter 194 and OAR 160-100), but the law can change. Always study with the official Oregon Notary Public Guide from the Secretary of State before the real exam.
Start the free practice test ↓
Oregon notary practice test (free)
Answer the questions below, then choose Practice mode for instant explanations or Timed practice to work against the clock. Every answer shows the rule behind it and the official source. The real test is open book, but you still need to know where each answer lives, so aim for 90% in practice.
How does the Oregon notary exam work?
Oregon requires a training course followed by a 20-question exam taken online, and you pass by missing no more than four questions. The test is open book, drawn from the official Notary Public Guide, and uses yes/no, true/false, and multiple-choice items. Training comes first and is mandatory for both new applicants and renewing notaries; you can take a free state-run version or use a certified provider whose curriculum the Secretary of State recognizes as equivalent. Because the exam is open book and based on a single guide, it is one of the more approachable notary tests in the country — the work is in knowing the material well enough to find each answer quickly.
What makes Oregon different from other states?
Oregon stands out because it requires no surety bond, unlike most states, and it runs the exam open book and online. There is also no renewal process in the usual sense: when your four-year commission ends you reapply from the start, including the training and exam again. The state's free training option keeps the cost low, so the main out-of-pocket item is the $40 application fee plus your stamp and journal. This mix of no bond, open-book testing, and free training makes Oregon one of the least expensive states in which to commission.
What topics and rules should you know?
A few Oregon-specific numbers and rules account for most missed questions, so lock them in before you test:
| Topic | Key Oregon rule |
|---|---|
| Exam format | 20 questions, open book, online; miss no more than 4 to pass (ORS Chapter 194) |
| Surety bond | None required |
| Maximum fee | $10 per notarial act |
| Application fee | $40 |
| Commission term | 4 years; no renewal — you reapply |
| Training | Required for new and renewing notaries; a free state version is available |
What requirements must you meet before you apply?
Before you can be commissioned you must finish the training, pass the exam, and file your application with the Secretary of State. Here is the general sequence:
- Be at least 18, an Oregon resident or employed in Oregon, and able to read and write English.
- Have no notary commission revoked, and no disqualifying convictions, within the past ten years.
- Complete the mandatory training course (free state version or a certified provider) within six months before applying.
- Pass the 20-question open-book exam, missing no more than four.
- File your application with the $40 fee and obtain your official stamp and journal before notarizing.
Oregon notary exam: frequently asked questions
- Does Oregon require a notary bond?
- No. Oregon is one of the few states that does not require a surety bond, which keeps start-up costs low. You do still need an official stamp and a journal.
- Is the Oregon notary exam open book?
- Yes. The exam is taken online and is open book, based on the official Notary Public Guide, with yes/no, true/false, and multiple-choice questions.
- How much does the training cost?
- The state offers a free training option, though certified third-party providers may charge. The main required fee is the $40 application fee.
- Do renewing notaries take the exam again?
- Yes. Oregon has no separate renewal; you reapply when your four-year commission ends, completing the training and exam again.
Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Oregon Secretary of State (Corporation Division, Notary Public Qualifications and the official Notary Public Guide), Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 194 (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts), and Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 160-100. Confirm the current version on the Oregon Secretary of State website.