Posted by lucky/ca on 2/14/12 3:53pm
Msg #411748

CA commission renewal questions.

It is time for me to renew my commission for a third four-year term. I would like feedback from CA notaries on who they recommend. I have always renewed with the NNA and understand that they provide the live scan and photo at the site where you take the class and exam. I would like to possibly go through Notary Rotary but am confused about the process with them and how the live scan and photo requirement is handled. Also I have been hearing that you don't need to take the full all day class if it is a renewal, you can take a shorter class. I just know. I never heard about this before. I don't want to risk not passing the test at the first test taking day. I haven't had a problem in the past but one always worries about the test.

Thank you.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 2/14/12 4:07pm
Msg #411750

Lucky, you need to log onto the SOS Web site where all this required renewal info is explained, including what kind of class you need to take, who offers it and how to sign up for it.

As for me, I took the online renewal class offered on NR (free! for premier members); I went to Costco for my photo (cheap) and the SOS Web site provides a list of fingerprinting sites, as well as testing sites and days (limited these days). When you go to take the required test you submit the photo and proof of class completion with your notary application to the testing people. The FBI/DOJ fingerprinting results find their own way to the SOS. It's unlikely you'll flunk the test if you sorta paid attention and read all the class stuff - even as totally weird as the tests often are.

Reply by ct on 2/14/12 5:37pm
Msg #411772

I did it the same way as GOLDGIRL..very easy process..also there are free sample tests on line if you use Google that are timed and give you more confidence..I just renewed for my 3rd commission also.. FYI I found the test for Ca more difficult this year though I passed with no problem..think I'm getting old and my brain isn't as sharp as it used to be..LOL..

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 2/14/12 4:09pm
Msg #411751

I just registered for the mandatory class and exam on this

website.
The Notary Learning Center in Upland, CA is handling the class, the Live Scan, the Passport Photo Service and the Exam after the completion of the class.
I will be attending a class on March 21, 2012 in Concord, CA.
The total was:
$251.35
Includes
California Exam Class
Live Scan Fingerprinting
Passport Photo Service
Actual Notary Public Exam
and a
Renewing Notary Supply Package.
Please feel free to ask me an questions.

Stephanie

Reply by pleasantonCA on 2/14/12 5:02pm
Msg #411766

I decided the class and on-site exam were easier to attend

When I renewed last time, I found the exam offerings by the SOS lacking in easy to get to places nor were the dates convenient. So I searched online for classes in Northern Calif, until I found one that offered the class, live scan and the test all in one day. Had to drive a little farther than I wanted but got it all done in one day. It was not offered through XYZ and was not that expensive.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 2/14/12 5:07pm
Msg #411768

Re: I decided the class and on-site exam were easier to attend

My Employer is happily paying all fees associated with me being a Notary Public.

Reply by pleasantonCA on 2/14/12 5:23pm
Msg #411769

I am not that lucky!! I pay for my own commission but my

part-time employer gladly pays for notarizations.

Reply by LKT/CA on 2/14/12 7:28pm
Msg #411788

I renewed last February - my commission expired in September 2011. I took a 3 hour refresher course - live classroom course - and found it sufficient. I also did the livescan on my own time and saved significantly...by making an appointment with the local police department. The rolling fee was only $12. The DOJ and FBI fees are the same for everyone ($19 + $32 = $51). It's the rolling fee that can make it expensive and some companies charge $25+. I'm not saying that's good or bad, just stating reality, that's what they charge.

I paid $63 to my city (Upland) police department for my livescan. I had to have livescan completed for my real estate license, that's how I found out the rolling fee was cheaper. For those who want to save the hassle of making a separate appointment for livescan, spending extra time and gas - then completing it at the class can be worth the extra money. Kinda like mobile notary service - save on the travel fee but spend the time and gas to find a UPS Store - or pay the travel fee for the convenience of a house/office call. 6 in one, half dozen in the other.....it all balances out.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/14/12 8:27pm
Msg #411802

What part of CA are you in? If you're in SoCal, Notary Classes dot com also offers everything at once and it's very convenient. (Those are the classes Joan Bergstrom teaches.) I did that this time (back in December) for the convenience, but last time I used the free class here at NotRot, got a Costco photo and did my live scan at a local police dept. The trial exams offered with the NotRot class were more difficult than the real one, so it was a great study guide.

I heard from Joan that the tests seem to trade off between difficult and easy, based on feedback she gets from her students. There tends to be some trick questions, so you just need to read them carefully and choose what you think is the BEST answer. They are also including lots of questions these days about penalties, consequences, etc.

My commission doesn't expire until June, but when I looked at the testing schedule offered on the CPS website, there were very few choices (excluding the ones associated with live classes), so I decided to get it out of the way early. I believe there was only one class per month that was within roughly 30 miles of me. (I'm in Orange County and there are more than 500 notaries just in my zip code!) Better safe, than sorry!

Reply by lucky/ca on 2/14/12 8:44pm
Msg #411804

Thank you Janet. I am in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I heard that in California, we should take the test at least 6 months before our commission expires due to the backlog at the SOS office.

Reply by pleasantonCA on 2/14/12 10:33pm
Msg #411814

I took my last renewal class, etc exactly 4 months before. It sort of got past me that my commission was ending so soon. You know summer, kids out of school, enjoying the free time.

Everything went according to plan and I had all I needed to get bonded before my expiration date. NotRot was very helpful in getting my new stamps to me rather quickly as well.

Reply by lucky/ca on 2/14/12 8:46pm
Msg #411805

Oh, also is Joan Bergstrom someone who gives classes in SoCal and NoCal? How do I reach her to ask?

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 2/15/12 12:14am
Msg #411821

I teach for notaryclassesdotcom. We charge $69.95 for the class and provide fingerprinting
for $80 with Homeland Fingerprinting who do the fingerprinting at noon.

You can save $10-17 dollors if you go to a local police station and probably $ 8-9 dollars at a local UPS store. Just make sure the police/etc are fingerprinting that day and make an appt.

Most students get the fingerprinting done in class because of the convience.

Call the office at 1-800-873-9865 or go on our website to sign up.
We also teach in nothern California.

Call me if you need any help: 951 522 4919. We also have loan signing classes.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 2/15/12 8:57am
Msg #411840

Advertising is not permitted!

Joan, you should know better than that!

Reply by lucky/ca on 2/14/12 8:38pm
Msg #411803

Re: CA commission renewal questions. Thank you.

Thank you all for your answers to my questions. I appreciate your taking the time to give me some suggestions. Each time, this being the third time, I have to go to take this test I get very nervous about it.

Thanks again.

Reply by 101livescan on 2/15/12 8:29am
Msg #411834

Re: CA commission renewal questions. Thank you.

This site also has practice questions so you can prepare yourself for the knowledge testing before class/exam.

Good luck!

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 2/15/12 11:08am
Msg #411855

Cheryl, Where do I find a practice test on this site? n/m