6-hour vs 3-hour notary course: which one do you need?

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California law requires notary education before you can sit for the state exam. But there are two different courses — a 6-hour and a 3-hour refresher. Picking the wrong one wastes your time and money.

The simple answer

New applicants: You need the 6-hour course. No exceptions.
Renewing notaries whose commission has NOT expired: You need the 3-hour refresher.
Former notaries whose commission HAS expired: You need the 6-hour course again.

The determining factor is whether you currently hold a valid, unexpired commission at the time you apply for reappointment.

What the 6-hour course covers

The full education requirement for anyone who does not currently hold an active commission:

Role and authority of a California notary
Appointment requirements (age, residency, background check)
Notarial acts — acknowledgments, jurats, copy certifications, proofs of execution
Signer identification — acceptable IDs and credible witness rules
The notary journal — required entries, thumbprint requirements, confidentiality
Fees — maximum amounts by act type, free notarizations
The notary seal — required elements, lost/stolen seal reporting
Bond and liability — the $15,000 surety bond, personal liability, E&O insurance
Prohibited acts — immigration consulting, unauthorized practice of law, advertising rules
Disciplinary guidelines — grounds for suspension or revocation

After completing all modules and passing the knowledge check quizzes (70% or higher), you receive a Proof of Completion certificate valid for two years.

What the 3-hour refresher covers

A condensed version for notaries who already completed the 6-hour course and hold a current commission. It focuses on:

Changes to California notary law since your last term
Common compliance mistakes
Updated identification and journal requirements
Remote Online Notarization (RON) rules
Technology updates affecting notarial practice

Common situations

Your situation	Course needed
Never been a notary	6-hour
First-time applicant, even with legal background	6-hour
Current commission, renewing before it expires	3-hour refresher
Commission expired last month	6-hour (start over)
Commission expired years ago	6-hour (start over)
Notary in another state, moving to California	6-hour

If you are within a few months of your expiration date, start the renewal process early. You can take the 3-hour refresher and schedule your exam while your current commission is still active. If you wait until after it expires, you need the full 6-hour course and the process starts from scratch.

Price comparison

6-hour course: $29 at California CE Academy
3-hour refresher: $19 at California CE Academy

Both are 100% online, self-paced, and include instant certificate delivery.

Ready to start? Take the 6-hour course or take the 3-hour refresher.

Quick answers

Looking for a short answer? Our FAQ covers the most common questions about California notary education.

View FAQ →