Your Guide to the Most Effective Notary Education Course Options
Already a notary? Our self-paced online courses help you expand your services and grow your income. Browse courses →
Notary training falls into two categories: courses your state requires before you can get commissioned, and courses you take voluntarily to learn the job. This guide covers both: which states mandate training, what the courses teach, where to find them, and what they cost.
States That Require Notary Training
About a dozen states require you to complete a training course (and sometimes pass an exam) before you can become a notary. Here are the main ones:
| State | Training Hours | Exam? | Cost (Typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6 hours (new), 3 hours (renewal) | Yes (state proctored) | $60-$150 |
| Florida | 3 hours (new only) | No | $30-$75 |
| Colorado | SOS training module | Yes | Free (state provided) |
| Pennsylvania | 3 hours | Yes | $50-$100 |
| Maryland | Approved provider course | Yes | $25-$75 |
| Ohio | Approved education | Yes | $50-$120 |
| Missouri | No (but SOS recommends) | No | N/A |
If your state is not on this list, training is optional. That does not mean you should skip it. A notary who makes a mistake on a real estate document can be sued. A 3-hour course costs less than an hour of a lawyer’s time.
What Notary Courses Actually Teach
A good notary course covers the basics you need to do the job without getting in trouble. Expect these topics:
- Your state’s notary laws: What you can and cannot do, how to identify signers, what records to keep
- Notarial acts: Acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, affirmations, copy certifications, and when to use each one
- Common mistakes: Notarizing blank documents, failing to verify ID, letting someone else use your stamp
- Liability: What happens if you make an error, what E&O insurance covers, when you can be held personally liable
- Special situations: Notarizing for someone who does not speak English, signing by mark, signers with disabilities
State-required courses focus heavily on your state’s specific statutes. Voluntary courses and signing agent training tend to cover more practical material about real-world notarization work.
Signing Agent Training (Different from Notary Training)
Notary training teaches you how to notarize documents. Signing agent training teaches you how to handle loan closings. These are separate skills. Your state notary course does not teach you how to walk a borrower through a 100-page mortgage package.
Signing agent courses cover:
- Loan document types (note, deed of trust, HUD/closing disclosure, TILA disclosures)
- How to handle the signing appointment from arrival to document return
- Common errors that cause loan packages to be kicked back
- Working with title companies and signing services
- Background screening and E&O insurance requirements
The NNA offers signing agent certification for about $175-$265 (includes background check and certification exam). Independent providers like Notary Training School offer courses at lower price points.
Online vs In-Person Courses
Most notary training is now online. In-person classes still exist in some states (particularly California, where some providers offer classroom options), but the majority of students take courses online.
Online courses let you study at your own pace, pause and rewatch sections, and complete the material from home. Most take 3-6 hours. You can finish in a single day or spread it over a week.
In-person classes give you a chance to ask questions and practice with real documents. If your state requires a proctored exam (California, New York), you may need to attend in person for the test even if you study online.
What to Look for in a Course
- State-specific content. A generic “how to be a notary” course is not helpful if it does not cover your state’s laws. Make sure the course is designed for your state.
- State approval. If your state requires training, use a provider on the state’s approved list. Your Secretary of State’s website will have this list.
- Practice exams. If your state requires a notary exam, take a course that includes practice tests. The pass rate for prepared applicants is much higher.
- Price. Notary training should cost $30-$150. Signing agent courses run $75-$265. If a course costs significantly more, check what you are getting before paying.
- Reviews. Search for the course name plus “reviews” before buying. Notary forums and Facebook groups are honest about which courses are worth the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a course to become a notary?
About a dozen states require training. In the rest, training is optional. Even when optional, a short course is worth the few hours and dollars to learn how to avoid liability.
How long does notary training take?
3-6 hours for a state-required notary course. Signing agent certification adds another 4-8 hours. Most people complete everything in a weekend.
Is signing agent certification the same as notary certification?
No. Notary certification (your state commission) authorizes you to notarize documents. Signing agent certification is private training that qualifies you to handle loan closings. You need the notary commission first, then signing agent training on top of it.
Related Reading
Updated May 2026.
