How to Study for the Notary Public Exam in California

Study will increase your chances of passing the notary public exam.

According to the National Notary Association, California is one of 11 states (plus the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico) that require a prospective notary public to take an exam before being licensed. If you reside in California, you will benefit from certain study steps before taking the notary exam. California's secretary of state publishes a list of approved vendors who offer the educational materials necessary to gain the mandatory credit hours, pass the exam and obtain your notary public commission.

Instructions

1. Choose your county from the drop-down menu on the California secretary of state's approved notary education vendor Web page. This link is provided in the "Resources" section of this article.

2. Choose one of the approved notary education vendors in your county. For example, San Diego County has 162 approved vendors. Pick a vendor that offers a six-hour course if you are a first-time notary candidate, or pick a vendor that offers a three-hour course if you are studying for the refresher course.

3. Sign up with the chosen approved notary education vendor for the class information to be sent to you as hard copy, or choose the e-learning course to be emailed to you.

4. Skim the notary public handbook issued by the California secretary of state. Highlight any areas that are unfamiliar to you. Return to the highlighted portions of the handbook and make notes as you read them more carefully. Re-read your notes immediately to help ingrain them in your mind.

5. Ask or email questions to your instructor if you do not thoroughly understand any aspect of the notary education class or handbook. Pay particular attention to key concepts and vocabulary that is specific to the duties and responsibilities of a notary public. Review your notes the morning of your notary public exam to refresh your memory.

Tips & Warnings

• The list of authorized notary education vendors is in random order. Those vendors near the top are not recommended any more or less than those at the bottom of the list.

References

• National Notary: Guide to Notary Commission Eligibility
• California Secretary of State: Approved Notary Public Education Vendors
• Secretary of State: California: Notary Public Handbook: Debra Bowen, Secretary of State: 2010

Resources

• California Secretary of State: Approved Notary Public Education Vendors
• Secretary of State: California: Notary Public Handbook: Debra Bowen, Secretary of State: 2010
• The Model Notary Act: National Notary Association: January 1, 2010
• Cooperative Personnel Service: Notary Public Candidate Information and Exam Schedule: 2010