PA Notary Public Exam ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | Notary Public | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Notary Commissions & Qualifications (Q1–Q8)
Q1: Under Pennsylvania Notary Public Law (57 P.S. § 147.2), what is the standard term of a notary public
commission?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years [CORRECT]
C. 5 years
D. 6 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pennsylvania law establishes a 4-year term of commission for notaries public, after which the
notary must reapply and meet all current qualification requirements.
Q2: Which of the following is a qualification requirement to become a Pennsylvania notary public?
A. Must be at least 21 years old
B. Must be a Pennsylvania resident or a resident of a bordering state who works in Pennsylvania
[CORRECT]
C. Must have a college degree
D. Must have 5 years of professional work experience
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pennsylvania law permits residents of bordering states (New York, New Jersey, Ohio,
Maryland, Delaware, or West Virginia) to become PA notaries if they are regularly employed or carry on
a business in Pennsylvania.
Q3: A candidate for Pennsylvania notary public commission has a prior felony conviction for fraud from
10 years ago. What is the effect on their eligibility?
A. The conviction is automatically expunged after 7 years
,B. The candidate may apply with a letter of recommendation from a judge
C. The candidate is ineligible for a notary commission [CORRECT]
D. The candidate is eligible if they complete additional education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pennsylvania law disqualifies individuals with felony convictions from serving as notaries
public, as notaries must demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and trustworthiness.
Q4: Before receiving a Pennsylvania notary public commission, an applicant must complete which of the
following?
A. A 1-hour online orientation
B. A 3-hour mandatory education course approved by the Department of State [CORRECT]
C. A 6-hour classroom seminar
D. A 12-hour apprenticeship under an active notary
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Act 73 of 2013 requires all applicants to complete a mandatory 3-hour notary education
course covering Pennsylvania notary law, duties, and responsibilities before taking the examination.
Q5: What is the minimum passing score on the Pennsylvania notary public examination?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70% [CORRECT]
D. 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Applicants must achieve a score of at least 70% on the notary public examination to qualify
for commission, ensuring notaries demonstrate adequate knowledge of their duties and responsibilities.
Q6: A newly commissioned Pennsylvania notary must obtain a surety bond in what amount?
A. $5,000
B. $7,500
C. $10,000 [CORRECT]
, D. $15,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pennsylvania law requires every notary public to file a $10,000 surety bond with the
Department of State, which protects the public against financial loss resulting from the notary's official
misconduct.
Q7: Errors and omissions insurance for Pennsylvania notaries is:
A. Mandatory and must be filed with the bond
B. Optional but highly recommended [CORRECT]
C. Required only for notaries who perform RON
D. Prohibited under Pennsylvania law
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While not required by law, errors and omissions insurance provides personal financial
protection for notaries against claims arising from unintentional mistakes or negligence in performing
notarial acts.
Q8: After passing the examination and obtaining a bond, what must a Pennsylvania notary do before
their commission becomes active?
A. File their oath of office with the county recorder of deeds in the county where they maintain their
office [CORRECT]
B. Register with the Pennsylvania State Police
C. Publish their commission in a local newspaper
D. Obtain approval from the county district attorney
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The oath of office must be filed with the county recorder of deeds in the county where the
notary's office is located before the notary may begin performing notarial acts.
Section 2: Powers & Duties of a PA Notary (Q9–Q18)
Q9: A Pennsylvania notary is asked to notarize a document written in a language the notary does not
understand. What is the proper course of action?
A. Notarize the document if the signer appears competent
2026/2027 | Notary Public | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Notary Commissions & Qualifications (Q1–Q8)
Q1: Under Pennsylvania Notary Public Law (57 P.S. § 147.2), what is the standard term of a notary public
commission?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years [CORRECT]
C. 5 years
D. 6 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pennsylvania law establishes a 4-year term of commission for notaries public, after which the
notary must reapply and meet all current qualification requirements.
Q2: Which of the following is a qualification requirement to become a Pennsylvania notary public?
A. Must be at least 21 years old
B. Must be a Pennsylvania resident or a resident of a bordering state who works in Pennsylvania
[CORRECT]
C. Must have a college degree
D. Must have 5 years of professional work experience
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pennsylvania law permits residents of bordering states (New York, New Jersey, Ohio,
Maryland, Delaware, or West Virginia) to become PA notaries if they are regularly employed or carry on
a business in Pennsylvania.
Q3: A candidate for Pennsylvania notary public commission has a prior felony conviction for fraud from
10 years ago. What is the effect on their eligibility?
A. The conviction is automatically expunged after 7 years
,B. The candidate may apply with a letter of recommendation from a judge
C. The candidate is ineligible for a notary commission [CORRECT]
D. The candidate is eligible if they complete additional education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pennsylvania law disqualifies individuals with felony convictions from serving as notaries
public, as notaries must demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and trustworthiness.
Q4: Before receiving a Pennsylvania notary public commission, an applicant must complete which of the
following?
A. A 1-hour online orientation
B. A 3-hour mandatory education course approved by the Department of State [CORRECT]
C. A 6-hour classroom seminar
D. A 12-hour apprenticeship under an active notary
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Act 73 of 2013 requires all applicants to complete a mandatory 3-hour notary education
course covering Pennsylvania notary law, duties, and responsibilities before taking the examination.
Q5: What is the minimum passing score on the Pennsylvania notary public examination?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70% [CORRECT]
D. 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Applicants must achieve a score of at least 70% on the notary public examination to qualify
for commission, ensuring notaries demonstrate adequate knowledge of their duties and responsibilities.
Q6: A newly commissioned Pennsylvania notary must obtain a surety bond in what amount?
A. $5,000
B. $7,500
C. $10,000 [CORRECT]
, D. $15,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pennsylvania law requires every notary public to file a $10,000 surety bond with the
Department of State, which protects the public against financial loss resulting from the notary's official
misconduct.
Q7: Errors and omissions insurance for Pennsylvania notaries is:
A. Mandatory and must be filed with the bond
B. Optional but highly recommended [CORRECT]
C. Required only for notaries who perform RON
D. Prohibited under Pennsylvania law
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While not required by law, errors and omissions insurance provides personal financial
protection for notaries against claims arising from unintentional mistakes or negligence in performing
notarial acts.
Q8: After passing the examination and obtaining a bond, what must a Pennsylvania notary do before
their commission becomes active?
A. File their oath of office with the county recorder of deeds in the county where they maintain their
office [CORRECT]
B. Register with the Pennsylvania State Police
C. Publish their commission in a local newspaper
D. Obtain approval from the county district attorney
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The oath of office must be filed with the county recorder of deeds in the county where the
notary's office is located before the notary may begin performing notarial acts.
Section 2: Powers & Duties of a PA Notary (Q9–Q18)
Q9: A Pennsylvania notary is asked to notarize a document written in a language the notary does not
understand. What is the proper course of action?
A. Notarize the document if the signer appears competent
