OHIO NOTARY EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 EDITION)
100 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Practice Exam
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This practice examination is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the
Ohio Secretary of State or any other agency. It is provided for educational and self-assessment purposes only
and is not a substitute for official training, statutes, or professional guidance. Law and requirements are subject to
change; always consult the current Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147, HB 315, and Ohio Secretary of State
regulations.
, Section 1: Ohio Notary Law, Qualifications, & Commission Process – R.C.
Chapter 147, Eligibility, Term, Renewal, Revocation (20 questions)
Q1: Which Ohio law governs notaries public?
A. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5
B. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 133
C. The U.S. Constitution
D. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 governs notaries public. The other citations are unrelated.
Q2: Which agency commissions notaries public in Ohio?
A. The Ohio Attorney General
B. The Ohio Secretary of State [CORRECT]
C. The county probate court
D. The Ohio Bar Association
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Ohio Secretary of State commissions notaries public. The Attorney General, probate court,
and bar do not.
Q3: A non-attorney applicant for an Ohio notary commission must be at least how old?
A. 18 years old [CORRECT]
B. 16 years old
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants must be at least 18 years old. The other ages are incorrect.
Q4: A non-attorney applicant for an Ohio notary commission must be:
A. A legal resident of Ohio [CORRECT]
B. A citizen of any state
C. A member of the bar
D. Employed by the state
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants must be legal residents of Ohio. The others are incorrect.
Q5: Which of the following is required of a non-attorney Ohio notary applicant?
A. A college degree
B. A real estate license
C. No requirements
D. Submission of a criminal records check within the preceding six months [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants must submit a criminal records check from within the preceding six
months. The others are not required.
Ohio Notary Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Non-attorney Ohio notary applicants must complete a training program of what duration?
A. A 1-hour course
B. A 10-hour course
C. No training
D. A 3-hour SOS-approved education program [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants must complete a 3-hour SOS-approved education program. The other
durations are incorrect.
Q7: The Ohio notary examination is scored at a passing threshold of at least:
A. 80% [CORRECT]
B. 70%
C. 90%
D. 50%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The exam must be passed with a score of at least 80%. The other thresholds are incorrect.
Q8: The Ohio notary public examination is:
A. A closed-book test [CORRECT]
B. An open-book test
C. A practical skills test only
D. An oral exam
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The examination is a closed-book test. It is not open-book, practical-only, or oral.
Q9: What is the term of an Ohio notary commission for a non-attorney?
A. 1 year
B. 5 years [CORRECT]
C. 10 years
D. Lifetime
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A non-attorney notary holds office for 5 years. The other durations are incorrect.
Q10: Which of the following applicants is exempt from the Ohio notary education and exam requirements?
A. Any resident
B. Any applicant over 30
C. A business owner
D. An attorney licensed in Ohio with a principal office in Ohio [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ohio-licensed attorneys with an Ohio principal office are exempt from the education/exam
requirements. The others are not exempt.
Ohio Notary Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 EDITION)
100 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Practice Exam
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This practice examination is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the
Ohio Secretary of State or any other agency. It is provided for educational and self-assessment purposes only
and is not a substitute for official training, statutes, or professional guidance. Law and requirements are subject to
change; always consult the current Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147, HB 315, and Ohio Secretary of State
regulations.
, Section 1: Ohio Notary Law, Qualifications, & Commission Process – R.C.
Chapter 147, Eligibility, Term, Renewal, Revocation (20 questions)
Q1: Which Ohio law governs notaries public?
A. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5
B. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 133
C. The U.S. Constitution
D. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 147 governs notaries public. The other citations are unrelated.
Q2: Which agency commissions notaries public in Ohio?
A. The Ohio Attorney General
B. The Ohio Secretary of State [CORRECT]
C. The county probate court
D. The Ohio Bar Association
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Ohio Secretary of State commissions notaries public. The Attorney General, probate court,
and bar do not.
Q3: A non-attorney applicant for an Ohio notary commission must be at least how old?
A. 18 years old [CORRECT]
B. 16 years old
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants must be at least 18 years old. The other ages are incorrect.
Q4: A non-attorney applicant for an Ohio notary commission must be:
A. A legal resident of Ohio [CORRECT]
B. A citizen of any state
C. A member of the bar
D. Employed by the state
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants must be legal residents of Ohio. The others are incorrect.
Q5: Which of the following is required of a non-attorney Ohio notary applicant?
A. A college degree
B. A real estate license
C. No requirements
D. Submission of a criminal records check within the preceding six months [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants must submit a criminal records check from within the preceding six
months. The others are not required.
Ohio Notary Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Non-attorney Ohio notary applicants must complete a training program of what duration?
A. A 1-hour course
B. A 10-hour course
C. No training
D. A 3-hour SOS-approved education program [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Non-attorney applicants must complete a 3-hour SOS-approved education program. The other
durations are incorrect.
Q7: The Ohio notary examination is scored at a passing threshold of at least:
A. 80% [CORRECT]
B. 70%
C. 90%
D. 50%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The exam must be passed with a score of at least 80%. The other thresholds are incorrect.
Q8: The Ohio notary public examination is:
A. A closed-book test [CORRECT]
B. An open-book test
C. A practical skills test only
D. An oral exam
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The examination is a closed-book test. It is not open-book, practical-only, or oral.
Q9: What is the term of an Ohio notary commission for a non-attorney?
A. 1 year
B. 5 years [CORRECT]
C. 10 years
D. Lifetime
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A non-attorney notary holds office for 5 years. The other durations are incorrect.
Q10: Which of the following applicants is exempt from the Ohio notary education and exam requirements?
A. Any resident
B. Any applicant over 30
C. A business owner
D. An attorney licensed in Ohio with a principal office in Ohio [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ohio-licensed attorneys with an Ohio principal office are exempt from the education/exam
requirements. The others are not exempt.
Ohio Notary Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
