Is the notary exam hard?

It depends on the state, but it is generally passable with focused study of the official handbook and a few practice tests. States like California weigh heavier because they combine a course, an exam, and a background check.

How many times can I retake the exam if I fail?

Most states let you sit again, usually by paying the fee once more and following each session's scheduling rules. Check the retake policy with your Secretary of State.

Is the notary exam the same across the country?

No. Each state writes its own test on its own notary law, which is exactly why practice material from another state can mislead you.

Do I need a course before the exam?

In some states, yes. California, Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas require education alongside the exam or assessment; other exam states do not ask for a course.

Notary Exam by State: Which States Require One & How to Pass

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Notary requirements vary by state and change over time. Always confirm current rules with your state's Secretary of State (or commissioning authority) before applying or sitting for the exam.

Quick answer: A growing number of states — including California, New York, Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina — now require you to pass an exam or an official knowledge assessment to become a notary, while many states still ask for no test at all. Roughly 18 states plus Washington, D.C. mandate a course, an exam, or both, and the list keeps expanding. Where a test exists, the passing mark generally sits between 70% and 80%, and practicing with a state-specific test is the fastest way to pass on the first try.

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Which states require a notary exam?

More than a dozen states now require you to pass a notary exam or assessment, and several more mandate a training course, so the old assumption that almost no state tests its notaries no longer holds. The table below lists the states with an exam or official assessment. Beyond these, roughly 18 states plus Washington, D.C. require a course, an exam, or both, and that number has climbed as legislatures tighten the rules.

State	Exam or assessment?	Course also required?
California	Yes	Yes (6 hours)
Texas	Yes (online assessment, SB693)	Yes (SOS course)
Colorado	Yes	Yes
Nevada	Yes (80% to pass)	Yes (3-hour SOS course)
North Carolina	Yes	Yes
Oregon	Yes	Yes
Connecticut	Yes	No
Hawaii	Yes	No
Louisiana	Yes	No
Maine	Yes	No
Montana	Yes	No
Nebraska	Yes (open book)	No
New York	Yes	No
Ohio	Yes	No
Utah	Yes	No

Texas is the clearest sign of the trend: its 2026 Senate Bill 693 added a mandatory course and a 20-question online assessment where the state previously tested nothing. Washington, D.C. asks for an orientation session rather than a graded test, and Wyoming suggests an at-home test without mandating it. If your state is not on the list, you most likely will not face an exam, though you may still need a course or a surety bond.

How does the notary exam work and what score do you need to pass?

The exam tests your state's notary handbook and, where it applies, generally requires 70% to 80% correct answers to pass. Questions center on the core duties of the role: identifying the signer, completing the right notarial certificate, keeping the journal, charging within the legal fee cap, and recognizing which acts are prohibited. The length, the number of questions, and the company that administers it differ by state, so it pays to study material written for your jurisdiction rather than a generic national quiz.

How do you prepare and pass the notary exam on the first try?

The preparation that works best pairs the official state handbook with realistic practice questions drawn from those same rules. These are the steps people follow when they pass without repeating:

Download the official handbook for your state (published by the Secretary of State). It is the only source the exam draws from.
Master the high-frequency topics: maximum fees, valid identification, the journal, thumbprint rules where they apply, and the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat.
Practice with a test built for the right state. A quiz aimed at another state teaches rules that do not apply and costs you points on exam day.
Repeat until you clear the bar with room to spare. Aim for 85% or higher in practice so the real 70%-80% feels comfortable.
Review every miss against the rule behind it. Understanding why an answer is wrong stops you from repeating it.

Where can you take a state-specific practice test?

Every exam state has its own rules, so a practice test has to match that state's law to be worth your time. We start with California, the most demanding process in the country, and add the rest from there. Use your state's link to practice with questions based on its official handbook.

California practice test → Texas practice test →

Practice tests for Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Utah are on the way.

Notary exam: frequently asked questions

Is the notary exam hard?: It depends on the state, but it is generally passable with focused study of the official handbook and a few practice tests. States like California weigh heavier because they combine a course, an exam, and a background check.
How many times can I retake the exam if I fail?: Most states let you sit again, usually by paying the fee once more and following each session's scheduling rules. Check the retake policy with your Secretary of State.
Is the notary exam the same across the country?: No. Each state writes its own test on its own notary law, which is exactly why practice material from another state can mislead you.
Do I need a course before the exam?: In some states, yes. California, Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas require education alongside the exam or assessment; other exam states do not ask for a course.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: American Society of Notaries (state-by-state requirements), each state's Secretary of State office, and the official notary public handbooks. Always confirm the current version with your state's official source.