CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE APPROVED

THREE-HOUR REFRESHER COURSE

   REASONS TO ENROLL IN THE COURSE NOW

1. Contains all the material a person is expected to know to pass the written notary public examination prescribed by the California Secretary of State pursuant to California Government Code section 8201(a)(4)
2. Best for a Notary Public renewing their unexpired commission. (NOTE: If the Notary Public commission expires before course completion and a completed application is received, the person must take another approved three-hour course before being reappointed as a Notary Public.)
3. Exclusively online  
4. For the low cost of $75    
5. *Includes one certificate of proof of completion (*upon successful completion of the course)  
6. *Includes two practice tests (*upon successful completion of the course)  
7. Designed to ensure that you will pass the state-exam on your first try      
8. UPON PAYMENT you instantly have 24/7 access to the course for 90 days from the date of purchase (NOTE: After 90 days you must repurchase the course and you will also be required to restart the three-hour clock. If you need less time and study material, for $50 for 30 days you can have *a certificate of proof of completion (*upon successful completion of the course), the course and a practice test. If you want more time and study material, for $25 for 45 days you can have the unrestricted course and two practice tests.)        
9. Mobile-friendly            
10. Enlarged text for ease on your eyesight
11. Real-world examples make learning simple and effective                   

GENERAL INFORMATION

Current California notaries public with a valid Notary Public commission and who have completed an approved six-hour course of study at least once must satisfactorily complete an approved three-hour refresher course prior to reappointment. Important: An approved three-hour refresher course is only acceptable if the Notary Public applies for reappointment before expiration of the current Notary Public commission. If the Notary Public commission expires before course completion and a completed application is received, the person must take another approved six-hour course before being reappointed as a Notary Public. A Proof of Completion certificate evidencing completion of a three-hour refresher course is also valid for two years from the date of issuance. However, a person seeking reappointment must apply and take the Notary Public examination before expiration of their Proof of Completion certificate and before expiration of their Notary Public commission. Once you have obtained your Proof of Completion certificate for the approved Notary Public education course, you will need to do the following: (1) Register for an exam by contacting CPS HR Consulting; and (2) Take with you to the exam site your completed Notary Public application form with the Proof of Completion certificate and a 2" x 2" color passport photo of yourself (stapled to your application) and the following (click here).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS    

For all your frequently asked questions regarding Notary Public commissions, education, stamps & journals (click here)       

JOB REQUIREMENTS    

To become a Notary Public, you must meet all of the following requirements:      

• be 18 years of age or older (there is no maximum age set by statute)
• be a legal California resident
• complete a course of study approved by the Secretary of State satisfactorily
• satisfactorily complete and pass a written examination prescribed by the Secretary of State
• pass a background check  

(Government Code section 8201.)   

CHECK LIST      

The following is a checklist identifying the steps that must be completed to obtain a Notary Public commission:      

STEP 1. Complete approved education    

STEP 2. Register for the exam   

STEP 3. Take the exam     

STEP 4. Submit fingerprints via live scan    

STEP 5. Await commission packet    

STEP 6. Purchase notary public materials  

STEP 7. File notary public oath & bond       

CHILD SUPPORT      

Applicants found to be non-compliant with child or family support orders will be issued temporary term Notary Public commissions. Notaries Public found to be non-compliant after the Notary Public commission is issued may be subject to commission suspension or revocation. (Family Code Section 17520.)      

CONVICTIONS      

State law requires all applicants be fingerprinted as part of a background check prior to being granted an appointment as a notary public. Information concerning the fingerprinting requirement will be mailed to applicants who pass the examination. All applicants are required to disclose on their application any arrests for which trial is pending and all convictions. Convictions dismissed under Penal Code section 1203.4 or 1203.4a must be disclosed. If you have any questions concerning the disclosure of convictions or arrests, contact the Secretary of State prior to signing the application. For specifics about your arrest(s) and or conviction(s), please contact the California Department of Justice. The Secretary Of State will recommend denial of an application for the following reasons:    

• Failure to disclose any arrest or conviction
• Conviction of a felony where not less than 10 years have passed since the completion of probation
• Conviction of a disqualifying misdemeanor where not less than 5 years have passed since the completion of probation; or
• A determination that the facts of a particular case warrant denial, such as the nature and severity of the act or the presence of aggravating factors.  

For additional information, please review the Disciplinary Guidelines.  

DISQUALIFYING CONVICTIONS    

The most common disqualifying convictions are listed below; however, this list is not all-inclusive:    

• Arson-Related Offenses
• Assault
• Auto Theft
• Battery
• Burglary
• Carrying A Concealed Weapon
• Carrying A Loaded Firearm In A Public Place
• Child Molestation
• Child Pornography
• Conspiracy
• Discharge Of A Firearm In A Public Place Or Into An Inhabited Dwelling
• Drugs, Possession For Sale And Sale
• Embezzlement
• Escape Without Force
• Failure To Comply With A Court Order
• Failure To Pay Child Support
• Failure To Return To Confinement
• False Financial Statements
• False Imprisonment
• Forgery
• Fraud Involving, But Not Limited To, Bank Cards, Credit Cards, Insufficient Funds/Checks, Insurance, Mail, Medi-Cal Or Medicare, Real Estate, Tax, And Welfare
• Fraudulent Impersonation Of A Peace Officer
• Hit And Run
• Kidnapping-Related Offenses
• Manslaughter
• Pimping And Pandering
• Possession Of An Unregistered Firearm
• Practicing Without A License When A License Is Required
• Prostitution
• Rape
• Receipt Of Stolen Property
• Resisting Or Threatening A Peace Officer
• Robbery
• Solicitation
• Statutory Rape
• Tax Evasion
• Terrorist Threats
• Theft, Grand And Petty, Including Burglary And Robbery
• Threats To Commit A Crime Involving Death Or Great Bodily Injury
• Violation Of Penal Code Section 273.5 (Domestic Violence, Spousal Abuse, Etc.)

NOTE: When a recommendation is made to deny an application, the applicant has the right to appeal the recommendation through the administrative hearing process.    

OFFICIAL NOTARY PUBLIC HANDBOOK  

The Notary Public Handbook contains California laws relating to notaries public and is designed to assist an applicant in preparing for the notary public examination. Refer to the current version of the handbook when preparing for the examination. For a digital copy of the California Notary Public Handbook click here. For a paper copy of the California Notary Public Handbook click here.    

REFUND POLICY  

All sales are final, but we shall refund all fees to any notary public applicant or notary public who registered to attend an approved course of study if one of the following occurs: (a) within thirty (30) business days of a scheduled course date if an instructor fails to appear at the scheduled time, date, and place of the approved course of study; or (b) within thirty (30) business days of purchasing the course if an approved course of study is delayed in starting more than fifteen minutes (15) after the scheduled time, a notary public applicant or notary public immediately informs us of their request for a refund, and leaves the approved course of study prior to it starting. 

Course Content