Notary Training by State: Where a Course Is Required
About a dozen states require notary education before they will commission you. The rest do not: you apply, sometimes sit an exam, and a course is optional preparation. This page maps which states mandate training, what each requires, and links our step-by-step guide for every state we cover.
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States That Require Notary Education
| State | Requirement |
|---|---|
| California | 6-hour course for new notaries, 3-hour refresher for on-time renewals |
| Colorado | State-approved training and exam, for new and renewing notaries |
| Missouri | State training plus an exam (80 percent to pass) |
| Pennsylvania | 3-hour approved course plus exam |
| Illinois | 3-hour course plus exam (85 percent to pass) |
| Texas | State education requirement for applications from January 2026 |
| Ohio | SOS-approved education, exam, and background check |
| Nevada | State-approved course plus exam |
| North Carolina | Approved course plus exam |
| Indiana | State course, exam, and continuing education every two years |
| Alabama | Approved training (no state exam) |
| Wisconsin | Training plus exam, with a 90 percent pass bar |
Georgia added a training requirement for 2025 applicants, and Maryland, New Jersey, and Oregon also require education or an exam. Wherever you apply, the Secretary of State publishes the current rule, and our state guides link it.
Every State Guide We Publish
Step-by-step guides with current fees, bonds, exams, and timelines:
- West: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington
- Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin
- South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
- Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Already commissioned and building income? See our guides on becoming a signing agent and bond costs by state.
