Our experience indicates that students who have the opportunity to review the materials in advance of a seminar have a superior chance of passing the State exam on their first attempt.

The following information will help you to prepare for your seminar and State exam date.

DAY OF THE SEMINAR SCHEDULE

The following schedule will be closely adhered to:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THE SEMINAR

On the day of the seminar, please bring all of the materials that you received from Duane Gomer, Inc., You may also obtain the materials from the links provided to the left ("The Handbook" and "Practice Questions"). Although the State exam is now 30 multiple choice scenario questions, the Practice Questions may appear in a modified format on the State exam, so we highly suggest that you take the time to review these questions. Answers to the Practice Questions are provided in the materials.

At the seminar, you will be provided with a "study guide" outline of the materials that will be discussed. The outline has plenty of white space for taking notes. The seminar will emphasize those topics that may be presented on the State exam.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THE STATE EXAM

Please bring the following materials for the State exam:

• One of the following Photo Identification:
  (current or issued within the last 5 years)

  • A driver's license or State DMV I. D. card, or
  • A Canadian or Mexican Driver's license, or
  • U.S. Passport or Passport issued by a foreign government, or
  • A U.S. Military I. D. Card
    
    

• A completed current application form (and fail letter if retaking the exam)

• A notary public applicant must submit a 2” x 2” color photograph of himself/herself along with the application. This is a "passport type" photograph that will be turned in with the application.

• No cash, credit cards, or debit cards will be accepted. Acceptable exam payment methods are checks, money orders, or cashier's checks, made payable to the Secretary Of State, with the candidate's name and last four digits of the Social Security number written on it. See "ABOUT THE EXAMINATION FEES" below for the appropriate fee.

• Two extra (sharpened) #2 lead pencils for the actual State exam

ABOUT THE EXAMINATION FEES

State Notary Public Examination Fees are as follows:

• New applicants and Reappointments: $40.00

• Applicants who have previously taken the exam and failed: $20.00 (Must also present previous exam failure notice upon request)

Note: Fees are non-refundable.

ABOUT THE EXAMINATION

The Notary Public Examination consists of 30 multiple-choice scenario questions. It is a CLOSED BOOK exam which is administered by State testing proctors. Please allow approximately one hour for proctor instructions and testing. All of the materials in the California Notary Public Handbook (including updates, if any) are subject to examination.

DURING THE EXAM

During the State exam, the following security procedures will apply:

• No questions regarding test items will be answered by the proctors. All necessary instructions are given by the proctor and are also in the test booklet. You will not be permitted to talk or communicate with anyone other than the proctor, or use books, notes, or other aids.
• Once you have been seated and the examination begins, you may leave the test ONLY to use the restroom (limited to one candidate at a time and for only 5 minutes) and only after obtaining permission from the Chief Proctor. However, you will not receive additional time to complete the examination.
• No children are permitted in the testing site.
• Any candidate seen giving or receiving assistance, found with unauthorized materials, or who violates any security regulations will be asked to turn in all examination materials and to leave the test center. All such instances will be reported to the Secretary of State's Office, Notary Public Section.
• Copying or communication of the test content is a violation of security regulations and will result in the disqualification of exam results and may be subject to legal action under Federal copyright laws.
• No smoking, eating, or drinking is allowed in the testing center.