Notary School
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California Notary Public Education

Become a California notary. Pass the state exam the first time.

The full state-required course of study - video, reading and practice questions modeled on the real exam - with every legal term traced to the current California Notary Public Handbook. Finish and download your Proof of Completion instantly.

See the 6-Hour Course

English · Español · 普通话 · 廣東話

✦ Proof of Completion issued instantly when you finish - valid 2 years, required at the state exam.

California Secretary of State vendor approval: application pending. Approval of an education vendor's course of study is not an endorsement by the Secretary of State.

Two courses. One goal.

Pick the course the State requires for you

California law sets the education requirement by where you are in the process - not by preference. Not sure which applies to you? Check the eligibility notes below each course.

New + expired commissions

California 6-Hour Notary Course

$129

The complete approved course of study for first-time applicants - and for anyone whose commission has expired.

  • Every topic on the state exam, from acknowledgments and jurats to the journal, seal and fees
  • Video + reading + practice exam questions for every lesson
  • Study in English · Español · 普通话 · 廣東話
  • Instant Proof of Completion (valid 2 years)

Required if you are a first-time applicant, or if your commission has expired - no matter how many terms you have held.

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Renewing on time

California 3-Hour Refresher Course

$89

The shorter approved refresher for notaries renewing before their current commission expires.

  • Focused review of current California notary law, including recent changes
  • Video + reading + practice exam questions
  • Study in English · Español · 普通话 · 廣東話
  • Instant Proof of Completion (valid 2 years)

Only for notaries who hold a current, unexpired commission, completed an approved 6-hour course before, and take the exam before their commission expires. Otherwise the 6-hour course is required.

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How it works

From sign-up to state exam, in order

01

Enroll and verify your identity

California requires education vendors to verify who takes the course. Upload a government photo ID once - the same ID details appear on your Proof of Completion, as the State requires.

02

Watch, read, practice

Watch the video lessons, read the workbook text and answer practice questions. Your study time is tracked automatically while you learn - the State requires the full 6 (or 3) hours of instruction.

03

Get your Proof of Completion instantly

Finish every lesson and the required hours, and your signed Proof of Completion PDF is issued on the spot. Print it and bring it to the exam - it is valid for 2 years.

04

Take the state exam

The exam is in person, in English, run by CPS HR Consulting: 45 questions, 60 minutes, passing score 70. Our English practice questions are built to get you ready for exactly this.

Why Notary School

Everything traces back to the source you'll actually be tested on

The full state-required course of study

Every hour of instruction maps to what California requires for your notary education - no filler, no skipped topics - so you walk in ready for all 45 exam questions.

Exam vocabulary, drilled the way you'll see it

Acknowledgment. Jurat. Credible witness. Every legal term of art appears exactly as the exam prints it, with a tap-to-read explanation - so the wording is already familiar on exam day.

Practice questions modeled on the real exam

Every practice question is written in the state exam's actual format and difficulty, with an instant explanation for every answer. You rehearse the test, not just the material.

Accuracy from official sources only

Every lesson traces to the current California Notary Public Handbook and the Secretary of State's official workbook. Read our editorial standards - and our corrections policy.

The whole journey

What it takes to become a California notary

The course is step one. Here is the full path, with the real numbers.

Education

6-hour approved course (new or expired) or 3-hour refresher (on-time renewal)

Exam

45 questions, 60 minutes, in person, closed book - passing score 70. English only.

Fees to the State

$20 application + $20 exam (retake $20). Live Scan fingerprints extra.

Bond & filing

$15,000 surety bond; file your oath & bond with the county clerk within 30 days of your commission start

Commission

4-year term, statewide jurisdiction

Timing

Exam results are valid 1 year; your Proof of Completion is valid 2 years

Common questions

Is Notary School approved by the California Secretary of State?

Our vendor application to the Secretary of State is in progress. California law requires the SOS to approve any course of study that covers all exam material, and this site is built to those requirements. We display our approval status honestly here and will publish our vendor ID number as soon as it is issued.

Is the state exam offered in my language?

No. The California notary exam is in English only, in person. That is exactly why our courses keep every legal term in English while teaching the concepts in your language - so the exam wording is familiar when you sit down.

Do I need the 6-hour or the 3-hour course?

First time applying, or your commission already expired? The 6-hour course is required. Renewing while your current commission is still valid, and you completed a 6-hour course before? The 3-hour refresher qualifies - as long as you take the exam before your commission expires.

How does the time requirement work?

State law requires the full 6 (or 3) hours of instruction. The site tracks your active study time automatically while the tab is open and you are watching or reading. When you have completed every lesson and the required hours, your certificate is issued - the State does not allow partial credit.

Why do you need my ID?

California regulations require education vendors to verify the identity of every student and to print the ID type, number, expiration and issuing state on the Proof of Completion. We never ask for a Social Security number, and your ID details are only visible to you and to us as the vendor.

When do I get my certificate?

Instantly. The moment you complete the course, your signed Proof of Completion PDF is available to download and print. It is valid for 2 years and must be attached to your notary application at the exam.

Can I switch languages mid-course?

Yes, at any time. Your progress and study time carry over, so you can read a lesson in one language and rewatch a tricky one in another.

Is this legal advice?

No. Notary School provides education about California notary law based on official state sources. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

What if I'm not happy with the course?

If you are not happy with the course for any reason within 60 days of purchase, email us and we refund you in full - no forms to photograph, no fine print that takes the promise back. The refund policy is always shown in full before you pay, as required under California regulations.

Start today. Test with confidence.

Create a free account and take Lesson 1 in full - video, slides and practice questions - before you pay anything.

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California Secretary of State vendor approval: application pending. Approval of an education vendor's course of study is not an endorsement by the Secretary of State. Notary School provides education, not legal advice. Editorial standards · Refund policy · Terms · Privacy