Notary exam schedule, dates and format
The notary exam schedule is published by each state’s exam provider. California’s exam, given by CPS HR Consulting, has a September to December 2026 schedule and allows one exam per calendar month; New York’s Department of State lists November and December 2026 exam dates in New York City, booked by email. Both exams take one hour.
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NYS notary exam schedule 2026
The New York Department of State publishes its notary public exam dates as instruction sheets for each period. For New York City (New York County), the exam site is 123 William Street, 2nd Floor, and the November to December 2026 dates are listed below. DOS also says examinations are regularly scheduled throughout the state.
To book, email the Department of State’s exam unit with the subject line "Schedule Notary Public Exam", as the schedule instructs. Anyone who arrives unscheduled or after the start time is turned away. Bring current, government-issued photo ID with a signature and the $15 fee by check, money order, MasterCard or Visa; cash is not accepted.
- November 2026: 5, 17, 23, 30
- December 2026: 1, 3, 10, 15, 22
Source: New York Department of State — Notary exam instructions and schedule, Nov–Dec 2026. Checked 19 October 2026.
How the NYS notary public exam schedule affects your application
The New York exam is multiple choice with one hour to complete it. Results are reported only as passed or failed, and a pass is valid for two years, so you can sit the exam first and apply later within that window. If you fail, you may retake it on another date and time of your choice.
For dates after December 2026 or outside New York City, check the next schedule the Department of State publishes.
Source: New York Department of State — Notary exam instructions and schedule, Nov–Dec 2026. Checked 19 October 2026.
California notary exam schedule and registration
California’s notary public exam schedule is published by CPS HR Consulting; the current one covers September to December 2026. You choose the location, date and time from the schedule and then register online. CPS HR does not take exam registrations by phone.
You can test only once per calendar month. If you test twice in one month, the second score is invalid and the fees are forfeited. Plan 2 to 3 hours on site for registration, testing and proctor instructions.
Source: CPS HR Consulting — California notary test schedule. Checked 19 October 2026.
California exam format and scoring
The California exam has 45 multiple-choice items with a one-hour limit: 40 scored items and 5 unscored pilot items. It is closed book and administered by proctors. You need a scaled score of at least 70 on a scale from 0 to 100, which is not a percent score.
Results arrive about 15 to 20 business days after the exam. A rescore can be requested in writing within 45 days with a $30 money order. Test results are valid for one year from the exam date.
Source: CPS HR Consulting — California notary exam information. Checked 19 October 2026.
Notary format examples on the exam
Expect questions on certificate wording, because a notary must use the correct form. California’s handbook names the certificate of acknowledgment as the most common form and the jurat as the second. New York’s acknowledgment form in Real Property Law includes the statement that the signer was "personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence" and "acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies)".
Learn which form fits which act: an acknowledgment confirms who signed, while a jurat covers a statement sworn to or affirmed before you.
Source: New York Department of State — Notary Public License Law (September 2026). Checked 19 October 2026.
How long does a notary license last?
A notary commission lasts four years in both California and New York. In California the term runs from the date specified in the commission; in New York, you may apply for reappointment within 90 days before it expires.
So how long is a notary license good for after the exam? The four years start with the commission, not the exam. In between, your exam result must still be valid when you apply: one year in California, two years in New York.
Source: California Secretary of State — Notary Public Handbook (January 2026). Checked 19 October 2026.
Before your exam date
With one hour, no notes and, in New York, no numerical score, it pays to know you are ready before you book. Certsqill’s notary question bank has expert-developed questions, an explanation for every answer option and a readiness score per exam area.
Notary exam: questions people ask
How do I schedule a notary exam in New York?
By email to the Department of State with the subject "Schedule Notary Public Exam", as the published schedule instructs. Walk-ins are turned away. Checked 19 October 2026.
What are the NYC notary public test dates for late 2026?
November 5, 17, 23 and 30, and December 1, 3, 10, 15 and 22, 2026, at 123 William Street. Source: NY DOS schedule, checked 19 October 2026.
How do I register for the California notary exam?
Choose a session from the CPS HR September to December 2026 schedule and register online; phone registration is not available. Checked 19 October 2026.
How long does a notary public license last?
Four years in California and New York. Sources: CA handbook and NY DOS FAQ, checked 19 October 2026.
How long is the notary exam?
One hour in both states. California has 45 items; New York does not state the number on the schedule checked.
How soon do I get notary exam results?
California: about 15 to 20 business days. New York: by mail, as passed or failed. Checked 19 October 2026.
