California Notary Public Exam Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The California Notary Public exam is the written examination for the California notary public commission. It is issued under the authority of the California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, and is administered by CPS HR Consulting. The exam is a closed-book, proctored, multiple-choice examination of 45 items (40 scored and 5 unscored) and you are given 60 minutes (CPS HR Consulting, search extract). This portal's practice mock has 40 questions.

A California notary public commission requires passing the Secretary of State's examination. Passing the exam is a required step before the Secretary of State issues the commission.

People preparing to become California notaries public and candidates retaking the exam. Education and application requirements are set by the Secretary of State; check them before you register.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

The exam may be retaken but not more than once in the same calendar month, and the retake fee is US$20 (California Secretary of State); results are available about 15 business days after the exam.

Passing standard: The Secretary of State states that a score of 70 or more is required to pass the exam. The exam is a closed-book, proctored, multiple-choice examination of 45 items (40 scored and 5 unscored) and you are given 60 minutes (CPS HR Consulting, search extract). This portal's practice mock has 40 questions. No official pass rate for this exam was available in the sources we reviewed, so none is quoted here.

The exam is a closed-book, proctored, multiple-choice examination of 45 items (40 scored and 5 unscored) and you are given 60 minutes (CPS HR Consulting, search extract). This portal's practice mock has 40 questions. Format: 45 multiple-choice items (40 scored + 5 unscored) · 60 minutes · closed book. Passing standard: The Secretary of State states that a score of 70 or more is required to pass the exam.

• Administrative Procedures12.5%
• Notarial Acts and Documentation30%
• Identification and Subscribing Witness Notarizations10%
• Immigration and Foreign Language10%
• Misconduct and Fees37.5%

The content outline spreads questions across 5 areas: Administrative Procedures (12.5%); Notarial Acts and Documentation (30.0%); Identification and Subscribing Witness Notarizations (10.0%); Immigration and Foreign Language (10.0%); Misconduct and Fees (37.5%).

Applicants must provide proof of completing a six-hour or three-hour approved notary education course, among other commission requirements; confirm the current requirements with the Secretary of State before you register.

The Secretary of State lists a US$40 exam fee for initial applicants and US$20 for those retaking after failure. The commission application, bond, fingerprint and education course fees are separate.

After you are commissioned, California sets the commission term, renewal and reporting requirements; check the Secretary of State for the current rules.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Misconduct and Fees (37.5%); Notarial Acts and Documentation (30.0%); Administrative Procedures (12.5%). Then work through the remaining areas, practise jurisdiction-specific rules separately from the general content, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 40 questions in 60 minutes.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check the licensing authority and test administrator before you register.