Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about California notary education requirements and our courses.
About the Course Requirements
Do I need to take a course before the notary exam?
Yes. All new California notary applicants must complete a 6-hour education course from an SOS-approved vendor before sitting for the notary exam. This is required by Government Code §8201(a)(3).
What if I am renewing my notary commission?
Renewing notaries who previously completed the 6-hour course are required to take a 3-hour refresher course instead. This applies to all subsequent renewal terms per Government Code §8201(b)(2).
Is this course approved by the California Secretary of State?
Yes. California CE Academy is an approved notary public education vendor under the California Secretary of State. Our courses satisfy the mandatory education requirements for both new applicants and renewing notaries.
How long do I have to complete the course?
Once enrolled you have 90 days to complete the course. The course is self-paced — you can stop and return to where you left off at any time using your My Dashboard login.
Taking the Course
Is the course completely online?
Yes. Both the 6-hour and 3-hour courses are 100% online and self-paced. You can complete them from any device — computer, tablet, or phone — at any time of day.
How do I access my course after purchasing?
After purchase you will receive a confirmation email. Log in to your account at californiaceacademy.com, go to My Dashboard, and click Take Course to begin. Your progress is saved automatically.
Can I pause and come back to the course?
Yes. Your progress is saved every time you complete a module. Log back in at any time, go to My Dashboard, and click Take Course to resume exactly where you left off.
Is there a quiz or exam?
Yes. Each module ends with a short quiz. The final module includes a comprehensive exam. You must score 70% or higher on the final exam to receive your certificate of completion. You may retake the exam if needed.
What happens if I fail the final exam?
You can retake the final exam. There is no additional charge for retakes. We recommend reviewing the module content before attempting again.
Certificate and Exam Registration
When do I receive my certificate of completion?
Your certificate is generated instantly upon passing the final exam and emailed to you immediately. You can also download it at any time from your My Dashboard.
What do I do with the certificate after completing the course?
Take your certificate of completion to your notary exam appointment. You will attach it to your notary public application when submitting to the Secretary of State after passing the exam.
Where do I register for the California notary exam?
The California notary exam is administered by CPS HR Consulting on behalf of the Secretary of State. Register at cpshr.us. The exam fee is $40 and you must bring your course completion certificate.
Payments and Refunds
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) as well as PayPal. All transactions are processed securely.
What is your refund policy?
We offer a full refund within 3 days of purchase if you have not yet started the course. Once you have accessed course content, refunds are not available. Contact us at [email protected] with any refund requests.