What percentage of people pass the California notary exam?
Asked by: Jeramie Pacocha | Last update: October 24, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (64 votes)
On average 97% of our students pass the California Notary Exam the first time. The state does charge you $20.00 for retaking the test and you can only take the exam once per calendar month. What happens if I fail the test? If you should fail the test, you are welcome to take advantage of our "class guarantee".
Is the notary test hard in California?
California has some of the most stringent application requirements for Notaries in the U.S. — including a required education course and background check — and the mandatory exam is among the most challenging in any state.
Is it hard to be a notary in California?
Requirements to Become a Notary Public
be a legal California resident. complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State. satisfactorily complete and pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State. clear a background check.
What is the hardest notary exam?
And the toughest notary exam is...
New York has the toughest exam to become a notary with a minimum passing score of 70%. The disconnect is that New York does not require any training requirements which leaves the individual on his own for preparing for the exam from one of the online exam preparation materials.
What happens if you fail the notary exam in California?
Each applicant receiving a score of less than 70 will be mailed a fail notice with a re-take voucher. The examination may be re-taken, but may not be taken more than once in the same calendar month.
How to Become a Notary Public in California A Step by Step Guide
What is the pass rate for the California notary exam?
On average 97% of our students pass the California Notary Exam the first time. The state does charge you $20.00 for retaking the test and you can only take the exam once per calendar month.
How often do notaries make mistakes?
Notary mistakes and errors increase the number of rejected documents. Most rejected documents contain minor or major notarization mistakes. On average, 30% of notarized documents contain mistakes. But depending on your county and state, this rejection rate can vary.
Is the California notary exam open book?
The California Notary Exam 2023 is a closed-book exam that consists of 45 multiple-choice questions. (The examination time, format, and requirements can be different in other states.) It has a time limit of 60 minutes, and a passing score is 70% or higher .
What is the best way to study for the California notary exam?
- Use the final exam to practice for the state exam. ...
- Use the unit quizzes for targeted practice. ...
- You'll see different questions each time you try a quiz or final exam, so you'll know you're prepared for the full range of possible state exam questions.
Is there a demand for notaries in California?
Demand: The need for notaries is on the rise due to economic growth and increased legal services. This trend creates ample job opportunities. Earning Potential: With California being the highest-paying state for notaries, the average salary stands at $59,055 per year.
How long does it take to get notary exam results in CA?
Exam results are available approximately 15-20 business days after the exam date.
Is it worth being a notary in California?
California is the highest paying state in the U.S. when it comes to being a notary public. The average salary of a notary public in California is $59,055. Considering the average of the country is roughly $45,000, this is another great reason to become a notary in California.
How is the California notary exam scored?
A scaled score of at least 70 is required to pass the exam. Candidates who take the California Notary Public Examination receive a scaled score that ranges from 0 to 100. A scaled score is a conversion of a candidate's raw score on one examination form to a common scale used for all the examination forms.
What disqualifies you from being a notary in California?
Failure to disclose any arrest or conviction. Conviction of a felony where not more than 10 years have passed since the completion of probation. Conviction of a disqualifying misdemeanor where not more than 5 years have passed since the completion of probation.
What to wear to a notary exam?
Since it is vital to make a good first impression, you are advised to dress “business casual” so that you will never feel underdressed or make anyone feel uncomfortable. This includes dress shoes, solid colored slacks, and a collared shirt or a blouse.
What type of notary makes the most money?
#1: Loan Signing Agent
One of the most lucrative ways to make money as a notary public is by becoming a loan signing agent. Signing agents are responsible for guiding borrowers through the process of closing a mortgage loan, ensuring that all paperwork is properly signed and notarized.
How much do remote notaries make in California?
How much does a Remote Notary make in California? As of Jan 19, 2025, the average annual pay for a Remote Notary in California is $63,928 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $30.73 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,229/week or $5,327/month.
Is being a notary a good side hustle?
A Notary commission can open the door to more than a dozen additional money-making opportunities. Being a Notary shows that you have integrity and it establishes a level of trust that gives you a leg up on your competition — even if you're not directly using your commission for every freelance job that comes your way.
Is the California notary exam difficult?
It can be stressful and challenging. However, with sufficient preparation, you can pass this exam with ease. Here are some tried and true methods for passing the California notary public exam.
What happens after you pass the CA notary exam?
Applicants who pass the State exam will be sent detail instructions concerning fingerprinting and completing a background check. Instructions are also provided on the PDF document that you can download at the above link. You must take the "REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE" form to the Live Scan facility.
Is it hard to become a notary public in California?
Notary Education: To become a California notary, you must first take a California notary course. New notaries in California must take a six-hour notary training course. Renewing notaries are required to take a three-hour notary course. Notary Learning Center offers live notary training seminars.
What are the cons of being a notary?
- Steady income can be difficult.
- You could be sued for a lot of money.
- Upstart and upkeep costs can add up.
Is it stressful to be a notary?
Working as a Notary is flexible, rewarding and provides a valuable service to the public — but no one ever said it's a cakewalk. Notaries face many sources of stress on the job, including angry customers, illegal requests, irregular work hours and more.
Can I use white out in my notary journal?
Using white-out is a great way to rectify clerical errors on various types of documents, but it should never be used when performing notarial services.