Pennsylvania Notary Exam Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Try

If you're preparing to become a Pennsylvania notary public, passing the state exam is one of the most important steps in the process. The good news? With the right preparation, most people pass on their first try.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Pennsylvania notary exam — what's on it, how to study, and how to walk in confident on test day.

What Is the Pennsylvania Notary Exam?

The Pennsylvania notary exam is administered through Pearson VUE on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of State. It tests your knowledge of Pennsylvania notary law, specifically the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), which became effective October 26, 2017.

First-time notary applicants are required to pass the exam before receiving their commission. Renewing notaries with a current, active commission are not required to retake the exam.

Before You Can Take the Exam

Before scheduling your exam, you must complete a state-approved 3-hour notary education course. This is a mandatory requirement — you cannot sit for the exam without it.

Our online course satisfies this requirement and can be completed entirely at your own pace. You'll receive your certificate immediately upon finishing.

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What's on the Pennsylvania Notary Exam?

The exam is based on RULONA and covers the following key topics:

1. RULONA Fundamentals

• What RULONA is and when it took effect
• How it changed Pennsylvania notary law
• Your duties, powers, and limitations as a notary

2. Eligibility and Commissioning

• Age, residency, and background requirements
• The application process and fees
• Surety bond requirements ($25,000)
• Recording your bond and oath at the Recorder of Deeds within 45 days

3. Notarial Acts

• Acknowledgments
• Oaths and affirmations
• Verifications on oath or affirmation
• Witnessing or attesting signatures
• Certifying copies

4. Signer Identification

• Acceptable forms of identification
• Personal knowledge vs. credible witnesses
• What to do when ID is questionable

5. The Notary Journal

• What must be recorded in every entry
• The 6 required journal details: date and time, type of act, identification of the individual, notary fee, clerical fees, and customer name and city/state
• What happens to your journal when your commission expires

6. Prohibited Acts and Ethics

• What you cannot do as a notary
• Conflicts of interest
• Impartiality requirements
• Penalties for violations — up to $1,000 per violation

7. Electronic and Remote Online Notarization (RON)

• Pennsylvania's rules around electronic notarization
• Requirements for remote online notarization
• Technology and identity verification standards

Key Dates and Numbers to Memorize

These come up frequently on the exam:

• 45 days — time limit to record your bond and oath at the Recorder of Deeds
• $25,000 — required surety bond amount
• 4 years — length of a notary commission
• 6 months — window before application in which education must be completed
• 75% — minimum passing score on the exam
• $1,000 — maximum administrative penalty per violation
• 10 days — notice a surety company must give the Department of State before canceling a bond
• 3 hours — required education course length

Study Tips to Pass on Your First Try

1. Know RULONA inside and out The entire exam is built around RULONA. Focus your study time on understanding the law, not just memorizing facts.

2. Pay attention during your education course Your state-approved notary course covers the exact material tested on the exam. Take notes and review the material before scheduling your test.

3. Focus on the journal requirements Journal record-keeping is heavily tested. Know all 6 required entries cold.

4. Understand the difference between notarial acts Acknowledgments, oaths, and verifications are different — know when each applies and how to perform them correctly.

5. Don't overthink ethics questions Ethics questions on the exam are usually common sense — when in doubt, the answer that protects the public and maintains impartiality is almost always correct.

What to Expect on Test Day

• The exam is taken at a Pearson VUE testing center
• Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID
• You must score 75% or higher to pass
• Results are typically available immediately after completing the exam
• If you don't pass, you can retake the exam after a waiting period

After You Pass

Once you pass the exam, you'll need to:

1. Submit your notary application to the Pennsylvania Department of State
2. Include your education certificate and exam results
3. Pay the application fee ($42)
4. Purchase a $25,000 surety bond
5. Record your bond and take your oath at the county Recorder of Deeds within 45 days
6. Obtain your notary seal and journal

For a complete walkthrough of this process, read our guide: How to Become a Notary Public in Pennsylvania

Start with the Required Education Course

Before you can take the exam, you need to complete a state-approved 3-hour notary education course. Our course is fully approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State, completely self-paced, and only $59. You'll receive your certificate instantly upon completion — so you can schedule your exam right away.

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Categories: Notary Education, PA Notary Exam, RULONA