Best New York Notary Exam Prep (2026): Free and Paid Options Compared
New York requires no notary course. Free study options, the NNA's $69 course, classes from $95 to $140, and NotaryExamPro ($49), compared on price and what you get. Prices checked October 6, 2026.
·6 min read
The short answer
We make NotaryExamPro, so read this with that in mind. Every competitor price and feature below comes from that company's own website, checked on October 6, 2026, and the links are at the bottom so you can check them yourself. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.
New York doesn't require a notary course. You pass the Department of State's exam and apply. So every option below is optional, and plenty of people pass with free material alone.
• Free: the Department of State's "Notary Public License Law" booklet, plus free practice exams.
• Cheapest paid practice: the National Notary Association's course, $35 when added to an NNA supply package ($69 on its own).
• Live class: New York Real Estate Institute ($95, classroom or livestream) or BMCC continuing education ($140 over Zoom).
• Self-paced study with unlimited timed practice and a money-back guarantee: NotaryExamPro ($49). We make it.
Your options compared
Prices as listed on October 6, 2026.
| Option | Price | Format | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notary Public License Law booklet | Free | PDF from the Department of State | The official law the exam is based on |
| NotaryExamPro free exam | Free | Online | A full timed practice exam with explanations |
| iPrep free practice test | Free (paid tier available) | Online | Sample questions with video explanations |
| NNA New York exam course | $69, or $35 with an NNA package | Online | 40-question practice exams from a 120-question bank, vocabulary flash cards, test tips |
| NotaryExamPro | $49 | Online, read or listen | 15 chapters with audio, unlimited timed 40-question exams, AI tutor, money-back pass guarantee |
| New York Real Estate Institute | $95 ($75 for NYREI students) | 3-hour class, classroom or livestream | Instructor-led class, prep materials, practice exam at the end |
| BMCC (CUNY) continuing ed | $140 including $15 registration; textbook extra | Live on Zoom, 2 evenings | 6 hours of instruction |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
How to choose
• You read well on your own and want to spend nothing: the free booklet, then our free practice exam and practice questions. If you're scoring well above 70%, book the exam.
• You're buying a seal and journal from the NNA anyway: add its course for $35.
• You want a teacher and a fixed time: NYREI's 3-hour class is the shortest and cheapest live option we found. Check that a class date is actually scheduled, since NYREI had cancelled at least one recent session.
• You want to learn the material properly at your own pace, or you failed once already: NotaryExamPro, for the chapters with audio, practice exams that don't repeat, and the guarantee.
Since no course is required, be skeptical of any listing that calls a New York class "required" or "state approved".
Head-to-head: NotaryExamPro vs NNA for New York.
New York exam facts
• Exam fee: $15. Multiple choice, 1 hour, no notes allowed.
• Passing: at least 70% correct, according to the Department's exam FAQ. Results arrive as pass or fail only, and a pass is valid for 2 years.
• Number of questions: not published by the Department. Test takers commonly report about 40.
• After you pass: apply for your commission with a $60 fee.
More detail: New York notary exam guide, how to become a notary in New York and New York notary fees.
Sources
Checked October 6, 2026.
• NY Department of State, Notary Public License Law: dos.ny.gov/notary-public-license-law-0
• NNA New York exam course: nationalnotary.org/new-york-notary-exam-online-course and package price
• New York Real Estate Institute: nyrei.com/course/notary-public
• BMCC notary class listing: CourseHorse
• iPrep free practice test: iprep.online/courses/nys-notary-exam
• Exam fee, format and passing mark (Department of State FAQ as posted by the county clerk): Oneida County Clerk
• Results and application fee: Broome County Clerk
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take a class to become a notary in New York?
No. New York requires you to pass the Department of State exam and apply for your commission. Classes and prep courses are optional.
What is the best free way to study for the New York notary exam?
Read the Department of State's Notary Public License Law booklet, then take free full-length practice exams until you're scoring comfortably above 70%. Review every question you miss against the booklet.
How much does a New York notary class cost?
The live classes we found cost $95 (New York Real Estate Institute) and $140 (BMCC, plus a textbook). Online exam prep runs from free to $69.
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