Posted by Laura Vestanen on 3/6/07 10:40am
Msg #178450

Does your state require a test to get a notary commission?

Hi, All

I am doing some research for a special committee reporting to WA's Secretary of State office.

Would you please help me by letting me know if your state requires testing to obtain a notary commission?

I know California has this requirement. Any other states?

Thank you!
Laura

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 3/6/07 10:49am
Msg #178451

Missouri Requires a Test. n/m

Reply by Ilona_OH on 3/6/07 10:56am
Msg #178452

Ohio -yes n/m

Reply by LisaWI on 3/6/07 10:58am
Msg #178453

Re: Wisconsin-No

IMO, there should be. Just out of curiousity, why is this revelent to your state?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 3/6/07 11:00am
Msg #178454

Florida - you take a three hour class. You can also take it online and complete the online test.

Reply by Becca_FL on 3/6/07 11:22am
Msg #178462

Not much of a test in Florida

All you have to do is log three hours online at the study site. The "test" gives you the opportunity to correct wrong answers and resubmit them. You would have to be illiterate to fail the Florida Notary test.

The course is only required for new Notary applicants and does not apply to renewing Notaries.

From the FL SOS:

The Electronic Commerce bill enacted by the Florida Legislature, SB 1334, requires that "a first time applicant for a notary commission must submit proof that the applicant has, within one year prior to the application, completed at least three hours of interactive or classroom instruction, including electronic notarization, and covering the duties of the notary public. Courses satisfying this section may be offered by any public or private sector person or entity registered with the Executive Office of the Governor and must include a core curriculum approved by that office."

The Governor's Office has partnered with the Department of State to bring you this required Notary Education Course. The course is designed to give you the information necessary to perform your notarial duties with confidence.

Reply by PAW on 3/6/07 11:46am
Msg #178468

Test NOT required by the State of Florida

A test is not required. However, the only way the test provider can ascertain that you actually sat if front of your PC and read the information, is to test you on what was presented. You really cannot fail any of the tests and it doesn't make any difference if you did or not, as long as you sat through a three hour presentation.

Reply by CaliNotary on 3/6/07 12:07pm
Msg #178472

Which is basically what Becca said

But I'm sure she's thrilled that you clarified things for her.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 3/6/07 12:43pm
Msg #178476

Re: Test NOT required by the State of Florida

That is why I only mentioned the online test

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/6/07 11:00am
Msg #178455

NY requires a test n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/6/07 11:13am
Msg #178457

OR, yes. Plus class for 1st timers & expired commission apps n/m

Reply by Signing_Doc on 3/6/07 11:13am
Msg #178458

no test required in NV...just an app, bond "and on you go" n/m

Reply by Katrina Arnaud on 3/6/07 12:12pm
Msg #178473

Re: no test required in NV...just an app, bond "and on you go"

Just a question, a long time ago I was interested in holding duel commissions for California/Nevada. I don't clearly remember but seem to think I was told that the notary had to be employed in the State of NV and there was something quirky about the employer signing for the commission. It was so long ago and I didn't meet the criteria, so I don't remember exactly. Can you clarify that information for my tired, old brain.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 3/6/07 11:13am
Msg #178459

AL does NOT require a test. n/m

Reply by HawaiiNotary on 3/6/07 11:15am
Msg #178460

Yes for Hawaii.

Reply by Julie/MI on 3/6/07 11:23am
Msg #178463

Michigan no test!

Reply by SueW/Tn on 3/6/07 11:37am
Msg #178466

Tennessee no test n/m

Reply by Katrina Arnaud on 3/6/07 12:04pm
Msg #178470

In addition to the test, California now requires classroom training prior to taking the written test.

Reply by Katie/AZ on 3/6/07 12:05pm
Msg #178471

Arizona no test.

Reply by James H. Lissemore on 3/6/07 12:36pm
Msg #178474

N.J. no test required.

Reply by Janet Sobers on 3/6/07 12:46pm
Msg #178477

Louisiana requires a very comprehensive exam to become a notary. It is a four-hour exam and we are required to prepare documents from scratch such as wills, mortgages, etc. Not easy to do, but worth the time here.

Reply by noteclub/MD on 3/6/07 1:01pm
Msg #178480

Maryland- No

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 3/6/07 1:29pm
Msg #178490

PA - test no, education yes n/m

Reply by Tracy_ME on 3/6/07 1:49pm
Msg #178494

Maine test is part of the application.

it is 18 questions, open book - the link is below

http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/notary/notapp.pdf#xml=http://192.168.1.28/texis/search/pdfhi.txt?query=notary+pub

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 3/6/07 1:52pm
Msg #178495

Illinois pretty much requires, citizen (or legal resident)

no felony convictions, ability to read and write English ( I guess
knowing how to speak it is optional) residency (or employment)
in state, and a pulse.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 3/6/07 1:53pm
Msg #178496

CT: Yes.

It is an open-book test. I was amazed that the Secretary of State's Office said that some applicants fail it. There is no course requirement.

Reply by cbug on 3/6/07 2:11pm
Msg #178508

NC/yes- 6 hour class then test- n/m

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 3/6/07 2:28pm
Msg #178519

TN does not but should!

I was trained by 2 fine attorneys in NY, where I also had to take a state-administered class and study a manual and then pass a monitored test - at the test, everyone sat in alternating seats, and there was a monitor in the room watching to make sure no one cheated. When we moved to TN in 1994, I was shocked to learn that anyone could become a notary by just filling out an application at the county clerk's office and waiting for the clerk to bring the application up for approval at the next board meeting. Then the clerk would let you know you'd been approved, and you'd stop by, be sworn in, and receive your commission. It has improved since then as you now must also obtain E&O and Bond insurance and authorize a background check before being commissioned or re-commissioned, but there is still no manual, no class, no test.
I strongly feel that the state should directly schedule and hold classes and also administer the test, as they do in NY. This is not something that should be outsourced to a for-profit company.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/6/07 3:54pm
Msg #178555

Re: TN does not but should!

"I was trained by 2 fine attorneys in NY, where I also had to take a state-administered class and study a manual and then pass a monitored test - at the test, everyone sat in alternating seats, and there was a monitor in the room watching to make sure no one cheated."

The class is no longer required, but the test is still as you described it - I felt like I was back in grammar school. They also took a thumbprint, which I thought was weird since we don't have to do that when we notarize. There are a number of companies as well as adult-ed courses that offer a prep class, but generally all you need to do is study the manual (which is not really a manual - more of a collection of related laws and interpretations). The test questions can run the gamut, but it's only 40 multiple choice questions and you need to get 28 correct to pass. My experience was that although there were a few softballs mixed in, most of the questions were designed to test whether you actually read any of the required material.

NY doesn't require testing to renew your commission, unless you've let it lapse. Also, attorneys are not required to take the test.

Reply by Laura Vestanen on 3/6/07 3:57pm
Msg #178557

Thank you! All responses are very, very helpful!

Isn't it scary how many states do NOT require a closed-book test?

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 3/6/07 5:24pm
Msg #178602

Re: Thank you! All responses are very, very helpful!

or any state-approved education at all!

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/6/07 7:43pm
Msg #178643

Re: Isn't it scary

Yes, it is scary... but seeing how many states don't require some proof of competency, it's not hard to understand why there are so many incompetent notaries...

I would think that at the very least, the state would expect a notary to understand the difference between a jurat and an acknowledgmen, as well as what a notary can and can not do. None of what we do is rocket science, but if the state that commissions you doesn't really care whether you know what you're doing, who's to blame if you screw it up?