How Many Questions Are on the California Notary Exam? (2026 Guide)

The California notary exam has 45 multiple choice questions. Of those, 40 are scored and 5 are unscored pilot questions that the Secretary of State uses to evaluate for future exams. You will not know which questions are pilot questions, so you need to treat every question as if it counts. You have 60 minutes to complete the exam. That gives you about 80 seconds per question, which is generous for most test-takers. The exam is proctored and administered at designated testing sites throughout California.

You need a 70% score to pass. Since only 40 of the 45 questions are scored, that means you must answer at least 28 out of 40 scored questions correctly. Here is what that looks like in practice: you can miss up to 12 scored questions and still pass. But since you cannot tell which 5 questions are unscored pilots, the safest approach is to aim for at least 33 correct answers out of 45 total. That way, even in the worst-case scenario where all 5 of your mistakes happen to be on scored questions, you still clear the 70% threshold.

Your test results are valid for one year from the date you take the exam (Title 2, CCR Section 20803). If you do not complete the application process within that year, your results expire and you will need to retake the exam. If you are renewing your commission, the Secretary of State recommends taking the exam at least 6 months before your current commission expires. This gives you enough time to complete the background check and file your oath and bond without any gap in your commission.

Every question on the California notary exam comes from the California Notary Public Handbook published by the Secretary of State. The exam tests your knowledge across several major topic areas, and questions are typically scenario-based rather than simple recall. Here are the core topics and the types of questions you can expect from each.

This is the highest-weight topic on the exam. You need to know the differences between these two notarial acts cold. For an acknowledgment (Civil Code Section 1189), the notary certifies that the signer personally appeared, the notary verified their identity, and the signer acknowledged signing the document. The signer does not need to sign in front of you. For a jurat (Gov. Code Section 8202), the signer must sign the document in the notary's presence and the notary must administer an oath or affirmation. Expect multiple questions testing whether you know which act requires signing in the notary's presence (jurat) and which does not (acknowledgment). Both certificates must include a notice box stating that the notary verifies only the signer's identity, not the truthfulness or validity of the document.

The exam heavily tests your knowledge of acceptable identification documents. California law (Civil Code Section 1185) establishes two categories of ID and two alternative methods using credible witnesses. Category 1 IDs are acceptable on their own and must be current or issued within 5 years. These include a California driver's license or ID card, a US passport or passport card, and certain inmate identification cards. Category 2 IDs must contain a photograph, physical description, signature, and identifying number. These include foreign passports, out-of-state driver's licenses, Canadian or Mexican driver's licenses, US military IDs, and employee IDs from California government agencies. You also need to know the credible witness rules. A single credible witness must be personally known to the notary. Two credible witnesses do not need to be personally known to the notary, but both must have their IDs verified and both must sign the notary's journal.

Fee questions are common and straightforward if you memorize the numbers. California law sets maximum fees (Gov. Code Section 8211). You can charge less, but never more. The key amounts: acknowledgments cost a maximum of $15 per signature. Jurats cost a maximum of $15. Certifying a copy of a power of attorney costs a maximum of $15. Depositions are capped at $30 total. Immigration forms are limited to $15 per individual per set of forms. Certain services must be performed for free: notarizing vote by mail ballot envelopes, notarizing US military veterans' benefit applications, and any services by notaries appointed to military or naval reservations.

Expect several questions on what must be recorded in the notary journal. Under Gov. Code Section 8206, every journal entry must include the date and time, type of notarial act, character of the document, the signer's signature, how identity was established, details of any ID documents used, and the fee charged (even if no fee was charged, you must write "no fee" or "0"). A right thumbprint is required in the journal for deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, other documents affecting real property, and powers of attorney. Know the exceptions: no thumbprint is required for a trustee's deed from foreclosure, a nonjudicial foreclosure deed, or a deed of reconveyance. The journal is the exclusive property of the notary. It must be kept in a locked and secured area. It cannot be surrendered to an employer, even if the employer paid for it.

The exam tests your knowledge of what must appear on the notary seal and proper seal handling. Under Gov. Code Section 8207, the seal must include seven elements: the notary's name as on the commission, the State Seal of California, the words "Notary Public," the county where the oath and bond are filed, the commission expiration date, the commission number, and the seal manufacturer's ID number. The seal can be circular (not over 2 inches in diameter) or rectangular (not more than 1 inch wide by 2.5 inches long) and must have a serrated or milled edge border. Like the journal, the seal must be kept secured and destroyed when the commission ends.

You will see questions about the $15,000 surety bond, the 30-day filing deadline, and commission terms. The bond must come from an admitted surety insurer, not a cash deposit (Gov. Code Section 8212). It protects the public, not the notary. The notary remains personally liable for damages beyond the bond amount. The oath and bond must be filed with the county clerk within 30 calendar days of the commission start date. There are no exceptions to this deadline. If you miss it, your commission is void and you must start over. The commission term is 4 years (Gov. Code Section 8204).

The remaining exam questions pull from several additional topics: Conflict of interest: A notary may notarize for relatives unless the notary has a direct financial or beneficial interest in the transaction (Gov. Code Section 8224). Proof of execution by subscribing witness: Used when the principal cannot appear before the notary. Cannot be used for powers of attorney, quitclaim deeds, grant deeds, deeds of trust, or other documents affecting real property. Advertising rules: A non-attorney notary may never translate "Notary Public" into Spanish as "notario publico" or "notario." A first offense can result in suspension or revocation of the commission (Gov. Code Section 8219.5). Remote online notarization: California does not currently allow remote online notarization. The Online Notarization Act (SB 696) was signed in 2023 but will not take effect until the Secretary of State completes the NAP 2.0 technology project or by January 1, 2030, whichever comes first.

The most effective approach combines three study methods: First, read the California Notary Public Handbook from cover to cover. Every exam question is drawn from this handbook, so there is no substitute for reading the source material. Second, focus your review time on the high-weight topics. Acknowledgments, jurats, identification requirements, fees, and journal requirements make up the majority of the exam. If you are short on study time, prioritize these areas. Third, take practice exams. Reading the handbook teaches you the rules, but practice questions teach you how to apply them. The exam is scenario-based, meaning questions describe a situation and ask what the notary should do. Practicing with realistic scenarios is the best way to prepare for this format. Most people who study consistently for 2 to 4 weeks and score 80% or higher on practice exams are ready for the real test. Ready to start studying? NotaryExamPro has AI-powered practice questions, study guides, and an AI tutor built from the official handbook.