Section 1.3 - Educational Requirement

All persons appointed on or after July 1, 2005, will be required to take and satisfactorily complete a six-hour course of study approved by the Secretary of State prior to appointment as a notary public, regardless of the number of commission terms they have held in the past. Subsequently, renewing notaries who have taken the six-hour course will be required to take a refresher course prior to reappointment. (Government Code section 8201(a)(3) and (b))

The Secretary of State will review and approve any course of study that includes all material that a person is expected to know to satisfactorily complete the written examination. The Secretary of State will compile a list of all parties offering an approved course of study and will provide this list with the Notary Public Handbook. (Government Code section 8201.2)

Upon successfully completing a Secretary of State approved notary training course, you will receive a Proof of Completion Certificate. This Certificate must be attached to your completed notary application.