How to Study for a Notary Public
Notary public personnel are members of the community who study a specific set of guidelines so they may serve as witnesses to the signing of important documents. Some documents require notary public attendance or may be rendered invalid, according to the National Notary Association. Becoming a notary takes specialized training, which may be completed in a short-term classroom setting or taken online or through distance learning programs at your own pace.
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Instructions
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Verify your state’s notary regulations to ensure you qualify for the position before starting your studies. For example, in North Carolina, notary publics must have a high school diploma or GED, reside within the state, be at least age 18 or an emancipated minor and be able to speak, write and read English.
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Determine the type of training you prefer. For example, the National Notary Association offers basic notary classes such as “Survival Skills Training,” “New Law Review,” “ID Theft Prevention Training” and its “Certified Notary Signing Agent” program through online courses you take at your own pace. The Association also offers a DVD called “Notary Basics Made Easy” and two books: the “Notary Home Study Course” and the “Certified Notary Signing Agent Program.”
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Ensure your computer is equipped for the type of selected training; for example, online classes may require the highest version of Internet Explorer, Java, Acrobat, speakers, a video card and an email address.
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Check your local community college to see whether notary public training is offered onsite. Students who prefer to learn in a classroom setting will find options such as those available at Wake Technical Community College, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, which offers one and two-day full-day notary public certification courses. Adult education classes usually require no prior education or experience; a picture identification and guidebook may be required.
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Look for your school or program’s accreditation, listed on its website or materials. The National Notary Association is the only notary organization that is not a college to receive accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training. Programs and schools receive accreditation by voluntarily agreeing to a complex procedure of reviews and a dedication to providing quality student education.
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Purchase an instructional textbook such as “Questions & Answers to Pass the Notary Exam” by Gerrie Pierre-Fleurimond, “Pass the New York Notary Public Exam” by Angelo Tropea, “Notary Public Guidebook for North Carolina” by Charles Szypszak or “Preparing for the California Notary Public Exam” by the National Notary Association.
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Review class and textbook materials before scheduling with your state’s Secretary of State department to take the text. Notary publics in California, for example, may only take one test per month, with a score of 70 noted as passing. Take practice exams in textbooks or from class materials prior to the day of the test.
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