GRADING AND RESULTS NOTIFICATION

After the exam, the Test Administrator ships everything back to CPS in Sacramento via Federal Express for processing.

CPS will enter the applications into their system and score the answer sheets. Result letters will be generated and sent to the candidates in 7-10 business days after the exam. CPS will send the applications of candidates who have passed the test to the Secretary of State on the same day that CPS sends the result letters to the candidates.

A score of 70% or better is a passing grade.

Do NOT call CPS or Duane Gomer Seminars for your test results.

Candidates will not receive results any earlier than noted above; results are NOT provided over the phone. All notary public candidates may wait for their letter to arrive or they may go online to view their results at:

If you decide to visit the CPS web site, please read the information on the home page carefully. Instructions and a web site link are provided for first-time visitors to create a new account for accessing their exam results. Provide all of the required information as requested. Once you complete the form, you will be returned to the CPS home page.

With your password, enter your Social Security Number and the password in the area provided, click on the Login-button and you will be presented with your results.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES

For those applicants that have never held a valid notary commission, or for those applicants whose previous commission has been expired for more than 6 months, fingerprints must be taken at a "live scan" location before a notary public commission can be issued. For applicants who have held a valid notary commission and the commission has been expired for less than 6 months, fingerprints are not required.

The Secretary of State is no longer including the "REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE" Application Submission form ("SOS/BCII 8016 (Rev 04/01)") with your notice that you passed the State Exam. You must download their PDF document from their web site. Here is their link for the form:

Applicants who pass the exam will be sent detail instructions concerning fingerprinting and completing a background check. Instructions are also provided on PDF document that you can download at the above link. You must take REQUEST FOR LIVE SCAN SERVICE form to the Live Scan facility.

Those candidates that pass the required background check will be notified by U.S. Mail with the official Commission Packet. See THE COMMISSION PACKET below for more information.

UNSUCCESSFUL EXAM CANDIDATES

Should an applicant not pass the State Notary Public exam, the applicant may reschedule to attend another educational seminar (at no charge) and re-take the State exam.

Inform our office staff of your failure notice and present the failure notice to the seminar instructor during the 8:15am registration to attend for no charge.

Present the same failure notice to the State exam representative at 3:30pm and pay only a $20.00 re-testing fee (checks only), made payable to the Secretary of State.

Candidates can test ONLY one time per calendar month. If the exam is taken more than once in the same month, the second exam results will be discarded and any fees paid will be forfeited.

THE COMMISSION PACKET

A Commission Packet will be mailed from the Secretary of State's Office, Notary Public Section, once the application has been approved and the background check is completed.

The Commission Packet will consist of:

• A cover letter with instructions

• Filing instructions

• Your commission certificate

• Two Notary Public Oath and Certificate of Filing forms

• A Certificate of Authorization to Manufacture Notary Public Seals

• A list of Authorized Manufacturers of Notary Public Seals

Within 30 days of the postmark on the Commission Packet envelope, you must post a $15,000 Surety Bond (Cost: approximately $40 and valid for 4 years) and your Oath with your County Clerk, and order your materials. Should you fail to complete these steps within the 30-day time allotment your Commission will be considered expired and you will have to start the entire process all over again.