Notary Education and Exam Requirements By State
This information is for solely for quick-reference purposes, and concerns only whether education or an examination is a commission qualification requirement for a traditional notary public commission. Please consult state statutes and any administrative rules for full notary education and exam details. Information is subject to change at any time. Updated April 2026
Alabama
Education required, all commission applicants (new, and existing notaries upon renewal) who are not also attorneys.
Alaska
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Arizona
Notary competency examination, required, effective 7.1.2025 for all new and renewing notaries.
Arkansas
Exam required, new and renewing notaries.
California
Education course and exam required; new commission 6-hour course, renewing 3-hour refresher course.
Colorado
Education course and exam required, new and renewing notaries.
Connecticut
Exam required, new and renewing notaries; exam is contained in the application form.
Delaware
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
District of Columbia
Required training course (“orientation”) provided by the Mayor. New and renewing (if commission has lasped within 12 months).
Florida
Education course required; for new notaries or those applying after a lengthy commission lapse who have not previously taken an approved 3-hour course.
Georgia
Education course required, effective 1.1.2025.
Hawaii
Exam required, new and renewing notaries.
Idaho
Not required; Secretary of State or an approved entity must offer a (non-mandatory) course to new applicants.
Illinois
Course of study and examination required, new and renewal applicants seeking a commission as a notary public or electronic notary public.
Indiana
Education required, new and renewing notaries. Continuing education required every two years of active commission. Exam required, new and renewing notaries.
Iowa
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Kansas
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Kentucky
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Louisiana
Pre-assessment exam and state exam required. Attorneys licensed in Louisiana are exempt from taking the exam.
Maine
Exam required, new and renewing notaries. Secretary of State or an approved entity must offer a course of study to applicants.
Maryland
Course of study and exam required, new notary applicants; (refresher) course required, renewing notary applicants.
Massachusetts
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Michigan
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Minnesota
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Mississippi
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Missouri
Education OR reading the Missouri Notary Handbook required and exam required, new and renewing notary applicants.
Montana
Education and exam required, new and renewing notaries.
Nebraska
Exam required, new (traditional) notaries.
Nevada
Education and exam required, all new and renewing notaries.
New Hampshire
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
New Jersey
Education and exam required, all new notaries who are not also attorneys. Certain non-attorney applicants renewing their notary commissions must complete a continuing education course.
New Mexico
Education and exam required, new notaries and only certain renewing notaries.
New York
Exam required, applicants for a new (initial) notary commission. Renewing notaries must take the exam if commission has lapsed (expired) for more than six months. Attorneys licensed to practice law in New York are exempt from taking the exam.
North Carolina
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North Dakota
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Ohio
Education and exam required, new and renewing notary commission applicants. Ohio attorneys seeking a notary commission are exempt from the exam requirement but not the education requirement.
Oklahoma
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Oregon
Education course required for new applicants, and renewing notaries whose commissions will lapse before renewal forms are received by the Secretary of State. Exam required, new and renewing notaries.
Pennsylvania
Education course required; new and renewing applicants. Education must be at least 3 hours and must be taken within a 6-month period preceding commission application. Exam required; first-time applicants and renewing notaries whose commission has lapsed.
Rhode Island
Education course not required. Applicants must “demonstrate sufficient knowledge" of Rhode Island’s notary laws. Secretary of State provides an assessment exam for this purpose.
South Carolina
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
South Dakota
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Tennessee
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Texas
Education and exam required for all new and renewing applicants, effective 1.1.2026.
Utah
Exam required; new and renewing notaries.
Vermont
Education not required for new applicants. Renewing Vermont notaries must have completed continuing education (not required to exceed 2 hours) during the two years prior to expiration of their current commission term. An exam is required for new notary commission applicants.
Virginia
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Washington
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
West Virginia
Requires neither a course nor an exam.
Wisconsin
Department of Financial Institutions’ “Online Tutorial” including an examination, required. New and renewing notaries.
Wyoming
Education and exam required, new and renewing notary applicants. Applicants must review the Secretary of State’s Notary Education Presentation (online) and pass the examination provided with the commission application.