How much does the Texas notary assessment cost?

Each assessment attempt is $20, non-refundable, paid to the Secretary of State. The wider process adds a $21 application fee, a $10,000 bond (about $40 to $70), and your seal and record book, so the full start-up generally runs $80 to $150.

Who is exempt from the new SB693 requirement?

Notaries first commissioned before September 1, 2025 are exempt from the education and assessment until they renew. Once they renew after January 1, 2026, they must complete the course and pass the assessment.

Is the Texas assessment open book?

Yes. The assessment is open book and taken online through the SOS Notary Portal, but the questions come straight from the required Secretary of State videos, so reviewing them first still matters.

What happens if I fail?

You get three attempts within a three-month period, and the $20 fee applies to each attempt. If you fail all three, you must wait until that period ends before you can register and test again.

Texas Notary Exam: Free SB693 Practice Test & 2026 Guide

This content is educational and informational, not legal advice. The practice questions are based on current Texas notary law (Government Code Chapter 406 and SB693), but the law can change. Always study with the official Texas Secretary of State course and materials before the real assessment.

Quick answer: Since January 1, 2026, Texas requires every new and renewing notary to complete a mandatory Secretary of State course and pass a 20-question assessment. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass, it is open book and taken online through the SOS portal, and each attempt costs $20, with three attempts allowed in a three-month period. The test below prepares you with questions drawn from real Texas law.

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Texas 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. Aim for 85% or higher so the real assessment feels easy.

How does the Texas notary exam work?

Texas created its first-ever notary testing requirement through Senate Bill 693, effective January 1, 2026, and it applies to new applicants and to anyone renewing a commission. You complete a short Secretary of State video course, then pass a 20-question assessment with a score of 70% (14 of 20). The assessment is open book and taken online through the SOS Notary Portal, each attempt costs $20, and you get three attempts within a three-month period. Only the Texas Secretary of State may provide the required course, so third-party courses do not satisfy the law.

What topics are on the Texas assessment?

The assessment draws straight from the Secretary of State videos, and a handful of numbers come up again and again. Knowing these cold is the difference between passing on the first attempt and paying another $20:

Topic	Key Texas rule
Maximum fee, first signature	$10 for an acknowledgment or proof (Government Code § 406.024)
Each additional signature	$1
Online notarization	Up to $25 extra on top of the regular fee
Surety bond	$10,000
Commission term	4 years
Record retention	10 years for journal records (new under SB693)

How many questions do you need to pass?

To pass the Texas assessment you need 14 correct answers out of 20, which is a flat 70%. Unlike California's scaled score, Texas uses a straightforward percentage, and because the test is open book the bar is reachable with focused review of the Secretary of State videos. If you fall short, you get three attempts in a three-month period, with the $20 fee applying to each.

What requirements must you meet before you apply?

Before you can hold a Texas commission you must finish the SOS course, pass the assessment, post a bond, and file your application. Here is the general sequence:

Be at least 18, a Texas resident (or a resident employed in Texas), with no disqualifying convictions.
Complete the mandatory Secretary of State education course (about 45 minutes of instructional videos).
Pass the 20-question assessment with 70% through the SOS Notary Portal.
Obtain a $10,000 surety bond and your official seal and record book.
File your application with the $21 state fee and wait for your commission.

Texas notary exam: frequently asked questions

How much does the Texas notary assessment cost?: Each assessment attempt is $20, non-refundable, paid to the Secretary of State. The wider process adds a $21 application fee, a $10,000 bond (about $40 to $70), and your seal and record book, so the full start-up generally runs $80 to $150.
Who is exempt from the new SB693 requirement?: Notaries first commissioned before September 1, 2025 are exempt from the education and assessment until they renew. Once they renew after January 1, 2026, they must complete the course and pass the assessment.
Is the Texas assessment open book?: Yes. The assessment is open book and taken online through the SOS Notary Portal, but the questions come straight from the required Secretary of State videos, so reviewing them first still matters.
What happens if I fail?: You get three attempts within a three-month period, and the $20 fee applies to each attempt. If you fail all three, you must wait until that period ends before you can register and test again.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Texas Secretary of State (Notary Public unit and SOS Notary Portal), Texas Government Code Chapter 406 (including § 406.024), and Senate Bill 693 (89th Texas Legislature, effective January 1, 2026). Confirm the current version on the Texas Secretary of State website.

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