Notary Education Requirement
Let's clear up the confusion about the education requirement under the new Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA).
All notaries will be required to take education when reapplying for their next commission. This includes those individuals who were exempt from education because they were notaries on July 1, 2003.
First time notaries need to take a notary exam
All first time notaries will be required to take a notary exam after they have completed the mandatory three hours of notary education. Once your notary application is approved by the Department of State, you will receive an E-mail instructing you to take the basic notary education examination. Examination results are valid for one year from the date of the exam.
When renewing notaries need to take education
Renewing notaries will need to take education when they apply for their next reappointment. If you are currently exempt from education, you do not need to take education before October 26, 2017, when the new notary public law becomes effective. If your commission expires sometime in mid-2018 (or later), you will need to take either live classroom education or an online course from an education vendor that has been approved by the Department of State, such as PAN, when you bgin your reappointment process.
When renewing notaries are required to take the notary exam
Renewing notaries do not need to take the notary exam unless they have a lapse between commissions. For example, if your commission expires on Nov. 1, 2017 and the Department of State does not receive your notary application on time, that is considered a lapse in your commission.
Additionally, renewing notaries who do not take the oath of office, register their bonds and signatures within 45 days from the date of their appointment will be required to take the exam.
Pearson VUE, a company that specializes in testing for various service industries, will be in charge of giving the exams, which will take place at designated locations determined by Pearson VUE. The exam costs $65.
All notaries will be required to take education when reapplying for their next commission. This includes those individuals who were exempt from education because they were notaries on July 1, 2003.
First time notaries need to take a notary exam
All first time notaries will be required to take a notary exam after they have completed the mandatory three hours of notary education. Once your notary application is approved by the Department of State, you will receive an E-mail instructing you to take the basic notary education examination. Examination results are valid for one year from the date of the exam.
When renewing notaries need to take education
Renewing notaries will need to take education when they apply for their next reappointment. If you are currently exempt from education, you do not need to take education before October 26, 2017, when the new notary public law becomes effective. If your commission expires sometime in mid-2018 (or later), you will need to take either live classroom education or an online course from an education vendor that has been approved by the Department of State, such as PAN, when you bgin your reappointment process.
When renewing notaries are required to take the notary exam
Renewing notaries do not need to take the notary exam unless they have a lapse between commissions. For example, if your commission expires on Nov. 1, 2017 and the Department of State does not receive your notary application on time, that is considered a lapse in your commission.
Additionally, renewing notaries who do not take the oath of office, register their bonds and signatures within 45 days from the date of their appointment will be required to take the exam.
Pearson VUE, a company that specializes in testing for various service industries, will be in charge of giving the exams, which will take place at designated locations determined by Pearson VUE. The exam costs $65.
