Pennsylvania Notary Examination
ation BulletinOctober 2017
QUICK REFERENCEDIVISION OF COMMISSIONS, LEGISLATION AND NOTARIEShttp://www.dos.pa.gov/Notaries210 North Office BuildingHarrisburg, PA 17120(717) 787-5280Hours of Operation 8:00 am – 5:00 pm M-F, Closed on Federal HolidaysContact the Division to: Clarify information about appointment and commissioning Change your current name or address Obtain commision verificationPEARSON VUE PENNSYLVANIA NOTARY EXAMINATIONhttp://www.pearsonvue.comAttn: Regulatory Program Manager5601 Green Valley Dr.Bloomington, MN 55437(877) 883-1370Monday–Friday 8am–11pm; Saturday 8am–5pm; Sunday 10am–4pm (Eastern Time Zone)Go to Pearson VUE’s website (http://www.pearsonvue.com/pa/bpoa) to: Download a candidate handbook Schedule, cancel, or reschedule an examinationAccommodation Requests (http://pearsonvue.com/accommodations): Request an accommodation for testing under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines
TABLE OF CONTENTSQuick Reference. inside front coverThe Exam. 4Introduction. 1Content Outline. 5Eligibility and Application Process.Eligibility Requirements for thePennsylvania Notary Examination.Notary Public Application Fee and Procedures.Demographic Changes .Approval to Test Notice.Score Reporting.Scaled Score.Passing.Failing and Retaking an Examination.Duplicate Score Report.11122Exam Scheduling, Cancellation, and Rescheduling. 2Exam Fee. 2Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy. 2Absence Policy. 2Weather Emergencies. 3ADA Accommodations. 3Exam Day.What to Bring.Acceptable Forms of Candidate Identification.Testing Policies.Lateness.Electronic Devices.Personal Belongings/Study itors.APPENDIXA: Request for Duplicate ScoreReport Form. back of handbook3334444444Pearson VUE does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed,disabling condition, religion, national origin, or any other protected characteristics.Copyright 2017 Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliate(s). All Rights Reserved. Pubs Orders@pearson.com55555
INTRODUCTIONNEW Mandatory Education Requirement for all applicants –The Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, Act 73 of 2013(effective October 26, 2017), requires all applicants for both initialappointment and reappointment as a notary public to completeat least three hours of approved notary education within the sixmonths immediately preceding the application for appointmentor reappointment. Under the new law, the exemption previouslyavailable for notaries whose commission was in effect on July 1,2003 is abolished. All notaries public are required to complete anapproved notary education course in order to be appointed orreappointed, including those notaries previously “grandfathered”from the prior education requirement by court ruling.The Pennsylvania Department of State has contracted withPearson VUE to administer the Pennsylvania Notary Examination.The focus of this handbook is to describe the steps that you, thecandidate, must follow to apply for and test.ELIGIBILITYAND APPLICATION PROCESSYou must submit a completed Notary Public Application withsupporting documentation and fees to the Department of Stateprior to being approved to sit for the examination.NEW Examination Requirement for applicants who do not holda current notary commission – The Revised Uniform Law onNotarial Acts (effective October 26, 2017) requires all applicantswho do not hold a current commission in Pennsylvania to passan examination. This includes applicants who have never held anotary commission and all applicants who previously held a notarycommission but whose commission has expired at the time theirapplication for appointment is received by the Department (evenif by one day).ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THEPENNSYLVANIA NOTARY EXAMINATIONIn order to be eligible to take the Pennsylvania Notary examination,you must meet the following requirements for appointment andcommissioning as a notary public: Be at least eighteen (18) years of ageTo ensure uninterrupted “commissioned” status, completedapplications for reappointment should be submitted to theDepartment of State AT LEAST TWO TO THREE MONTHS priorto the expiration of the current commission. Renewal applicantsshould allow AT LEAST ONE MONTH for processing aftersubmitting a completed renewal application to the Department. Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States Be a resident of Pennsylvania or have a place of employmentor practice within this Commonwealth Be able to read and write English Have completed at least three hours of approved notaryeducation within the six months immediately preceding yourapplication (see below for more information)NOTARY PUBLIC APPLICATION FEEAND PROCEDURES Have the honesty, integrity, competence and reliability toact as a notary public – this is generally the absence of aconviction of, or acceptance of Accelerated RehabilitativeDisposition by, the applicant for a felony or an offenseinvolving fraud, dishonesty or deceitApplications may be submitted electronically to the PennsylvaniaDepartment of State via the Online Notary Public Application lication.aspx)or via mail to Not be otherwise disqualified to receive a commissionbecause of: 1) notary discipline in the Commonwealthof Pennsylvania or any other state/jurisdiction; 2) otherprofessional or occupational license discipline; or 3) a judgment or admission of liability in a legal proceeding for actionsas a notary public.Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Department of StateBureau of Commissions, Elections and LegislationDivision of Commissions, Legislation and Notaries210 North Office BuildingHarrisburg, PA 17120Along with the application and required documents, all applicantsmust pay the 42 application fee to the Department of State.Applications submitted through the Online Notary PublicApplication System require payment via credit and debit card.Candidates that do not possess a credit or debit card should contactthe Division for a paper application. Applications submitted by mailmust be accompanied by a check or money order for 42, madepayable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”. The applicationfee is non-refundable. The Department of State is authorized torevoke the notary public commission of a notary public who issuesa personal insufficient funds check to the order of any State agencyor the Commonwealth.The following persons are NOT eligible to hold the office ofNotary Public: Any member of the Congress of the United States, and anyperson, whether an officer, a subordinate officer or agentholding any office or appointment of profit or trust underthe legislative, executive, or judicial departments of thegovernment of the United States, to which a salary, fees orperquisites are attached Any member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania1
EXAM SCHEDULING,CANCELLATION,AND RESCHEDULINGDEMOGRAPHIC CHANGESCandidates must contact the Division of Commissions, Legislationand Notaries regarding demographic changes, including name,address, or email changes. Changes to name, address or emailmay be made online at any time via https://www.notaries.pa.gov(link to Update Notary Info). Candidates may contact the Divisionat (717) 787-5280 for other methods of updating demographicinformation.The Exam will be given at a Pearson VUE computer-based testingfacility. Once you have received your approval to test notice,please schedule your test on-line by using the Pearson VUE webreservations site at http://www.pearsonvue.com.APPROVAL TO TEST NOTICEEXAM FEEWhen your Notary Public Application, application fee, educationcertificate, and any other requested documents have beenreceived and evaluated for eligibility, you will receive an approvalto test notice via email.The exam fee ( 65) can be paid by credit card, debit card,or electronic check (payable to Pearson VUE). Personal checks arenot accepted. Exam fees are paid online at www.pearsonvue.comat the conclusion of the exam scheduling process.The approval to test notice contains details about how to scheduleyour examination.CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING POLICYAn approval to test notice will not be sent until a completedapplication and all of the requested items have been received,verified, and approved by the Division of Commissions, Legislationand Notaries.If you cannot attend your Exam, you must contact Pearson VUEat least forty-eight (48) hours before the day of the exam toreschedule. If you do not attend your exam, and have not contactedPearson VUE at least forty-eight (48) hours before the exam date,your exam fee will NOT be refunded and you cannot transfer thefee to another exam date. You may not give your exam date toanother person.New applicants should allow at least four to six weeks forprocessing after submitting a completed application to theDepartment of State. If approval to test is not received within thistime, contact the Division at (717) 787-5280.ABSENCE POLICYPearson VUE will consider excusing an absence from an exam.Acceptable excuses are: Illness of yourself or an immediate family member Death in the family Disabling traffic accident Court appearance or jury duty Military duty Weather emergencyRequests for excused absences must be made in writing withinfourteen (14) days following the day of the exam that you missed.This request must include proof of the reason you were absent.For example, if you are absent because of illness of yourself or animmediate family member, you must provide an original doctor’snote. Pearson VUE’s decision regarding whether an absence isexcused is final.Mail your request to:Attn: Regulatory Program Manager5601 Green Valley Dr.Bloomington, MN 554372
EXAM DAYWEATHER EMERGENCIESExams may be delayed or cancelled if severe weather or anatural disaster makes the test site unsafe or impossible to reach.Candidates will be notified if the exam is cancelled and may takethe exam on another day at no additional cost.Please arrive at the test center thirty (30) minutes before yourscheduled appointment time. This will give you adequate time tocomplete the necessary sign-in procedures. Be prepared to showidentification. If you arrive more than fifteen (15) minutes late foryour appointment, you may be refused admission and exam feesmay be forfeited.ADA ACCOMMODATIONSPearson VUE complies with the provisions of the Americans withDisabilities Act as amended. The purpose of accommodations isto provide candidates with full access to the test. Accommodationsare not a guarantee of improved performance or test completion.Pearson VUE provides reasonable and appropriate accommodationsto individuals with documented disabilities who demonstrate aneed for accommodations.No personal items may be taken into the testing room. This includesall bags, books not authorized by the sponsor, notes, phones,pagers, watches and wallets.A brief video that previews what to expect at aPearson VUE test center is available from our website aspxTest accommodations may include things such as: A separate testing room Extra testing timeWHAT TO BRINGYou MUST bring the following items with you to the Examinationtest site: Large print test bookletTest accommodations are individualized and consideredon a case-by-case basis. All candidates who are requestingaccommodations because of a disability must provide appropriatedocumentation of their condition and how it is expected to affecttheir ability to take the test under standard conditions. This mayinclude: Two (2) forms of current (unexpired) signature-bearingidentification. (One MUST be photo-bearing, see list below).Please note: The signature and names must match exactly towhat was submitted on your application. If you come to thetest site without the proper ID, you will not be allowed totake the exam and you will lose your exam fee.No other materials will be allowed. Supporting documentation from the professional whodiagnosed the condition, including the credentials that qualifythe professional to make this diagnosisAll exam questions, each form of the exam, and all other exammaterials are copyrighted by and the property of Pearson VUE.Any distribution of the exam content or materials through anyform of reproduction, or through oral or written communication,is strictly prohibited and punishable by law. Anyone who removesor tries to remove exam material or information from the test sitewill be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. A description of past accommodations the candidate hasreceivedThe steps to follow when requesting test accommodationsvary, depending on your test program sponsor. To begin, goto http://pearsonvue.com/accommodations, and thenselect your test program sponsor from the alphabetized list.Candidates who have additional questions concerning testaccommodations may contact the ADA Coordinator by PTABLE FORMS OF CANDIDATEIDENTIFICATIONCandidates must present two (2) forms of current signatureidentification. The primary identification must be government-issuedand photo-bearing with a signature, and the secondary identificationmust contain a valid signature. Identification must be in English.Note: Candidates are not permitted to enlist another individual(proxy) to test on their behalfAll accommodation requests MUST be submitted before thescheduling window closes.PRIMARY ID (PHOTOGRAPH AND SIGNATURE, NOT EXPIRED) Government-issued Driver’s License U.S. Dept. of State Driver’s License U.S. Learner’s Permit (plastic card only with photo andsignature) National/State/Country ID card Passport Passport Card3
THE EXAM Military ID Military ID for spouses and dependentsThe Pennsylvania Notary Examination will consist of 25 scoredand 5 “pretest” multiple choice questions. (Pretest questions arequestions on which information is being collected for use in making future exams. Your answers to pretest questions do not affectyour score. Pretest questions are mixed in with the scored questions and are not identified.) You will have 60 minutes to completethe exam, which will begin after you have accepted the terms ofthe Non-Disclosure Agreement. Alien Registration Card (Green Card, Permanent Resident Visa)SECONDARY ID (SIGNATURE, NOT EXPIRED) U.S. Social Security card Debit (ATM) card Any form of ID on the Primary ID listIf the ID presented has an embedded signature that is not visible(microchip), or is difficult or impossible to read, the candidatemust present another form of identification from the Primary IDor Secondary ID list that contains a visible signature.Each examination item will consist of a question and three answeroptions. If you do not know the answer, you may guess or moveon to the next item. However, please note that unansweredquestions will be marked as incorrect. If you want to review aspecific question after completing the test, you can click on "Flagfor Review" to mark the question. If you click on "Flag for Review,"the flag will display in yellow. At the end of the test, you may havetime to review questions that you marked. Questions flagged forreview will appear with a blue flag in the Review Screen. You maythen go back to the flagged questions and answer them or changeyour response.Pearson VUE does not recognize grace periods. For example, if acandidate’s driver’s license expired yesterday and the state allowsa 30-day grace period for renewing the ID, the ID is consideredto be expired.TESTING POLICIESThe following policies are observed at each test center:LATENESSArrive at the test center thirty (30) minutes before your scheduledexamination starts. If you are late for your scheduled examination,or do not bring all of your required materials, you will NOT beallowed to test and your examination fee will NOT be returned(see Cancellation and Rescheduling for more details).Pearson VUE highly encourages all test takers to review the onlinetutorial (http://www.pearsonvue.com/demo) before arriving tothe test center. The tutorial will help familiarize yourself with thelook, feel and navigation of a Pearson VUE computer-based test.If you give help to someone or receive help from anyone duringthe exam, you will be asked to leave the room immediately.The results will not be scored and the incident will be reported tothe Division of Commissions, Legislation and Notaries. Anyonewho takes or tries to take materials or information from the testingroom is subject to prosecution.ELECTRONIC DEVICESCellular phones, pagers or any other electronic devices are notpermitted to be used and must be turned off during testing. Thereis no place for storage of personal belongings at the test centers.PERSONAL BELONGINGS/STUDY AIDSYou are not permitted to take personal belongings such asbriefcases, large bags, study materials, extra books or papersinto the examination room. Any such materials brought into theexamination room will be collected and returned to you when youhave completed the examination. Pearson VUE is not responsiblefor lost or misplaced items.All exam questions, each form of the exam, and all other exammaterials are copyrighted by and the property of Pearson VUE.Any distribution of the exam content or materials through anyform of reproduction, or through oral or written communication,is strictly prohibited and punishable by law. Anyone who removesor tries to remove exam material or information from the test sitewill be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.EATING/DRINKING/SMOKINGYou are not permitted to eat, drink, or smoke during theexamination.MISCONDUCTIf you cause a disturbance of any kind or engage in any kind ofmisconduct, you will be dismissed from the examination andthe incident will be reported to the Division of Commissions,Legislation and Notaries. Decisions regarding disciplinary measuresare the responsibility of the Division of Commissions, Legislationand Notaries.GUESTS/VISITORSGuests, visitors, pets, interpreters, or children are not allowed atthe test centers.4
CONTENT OUTLINESCORE REPORTINGAt the conclusion of the examination, preliminary exam results willbe provided. The issuance of your appointment letter will verifypassage of the exam and confirm the preliminary report.CONTENT OUTLINE — NOTARY30 total items (25 scored items; 5 pretest items)I. Obtaining Notary Commission (4)SCALED SCOREA. Submit a Notary Public application along with evidence of coursecompletion for approval by Pennsylvania Department of State andthen pass the examination.The passing scores of the notary examinations were set by theDivision of Commissions, Legislation and Notaries (in conjunctionwith Pearson VUE) after a comprehensive study was completedfor each examination. Raw scores are converted into scaled scoresthat can range from 0 to 100. To avoid misuse of score information,numeric scores are only reported to failing candidates. The scaledscore that is reported to you is neither the number of questionsyou answered correctly nor the percentage of questions youanswered correctly. With a passing score of 75, any score below75 indicates how close the candidate came to passing, rather thanthe actual number or percentage of questions the candidatesanswered correctly.B. Purchase a 10,000 surety bond in order to protect customerfrom financial loss.C. Take the oath of office before the recorder of deeds and recordthat oath, bond, and commission within 45 days of appointment.D. Provide official signature at prothonotary office within 45 days ofappointment so that acts of the notary can be authenticated.E. Obtain an official stamp that meets the requirements of the law inorder to authenticate notarial acts performed.F. Obtain a journal in order to create a public record for everynotarial act performed.PASSINGII. Performing Notarial Acts (15)After you have successfully passed the examination and uponsatisfactory evidence that you have met all statutory requirements,you will be appointed as a notary public. Please allow approximately30 days for the Division of Commissions, Legislation and Notariesto process your appointment.A. Properly identify the person and assess comprehension andwillingness in order to protect against fraud.B. Examine the document to be notarized to assess documentcompleteness, determine the named signer, and assess if thenotarial certificate is present or sufficient.To verify appointment or commission status, an applicantmay search the Division’s web site using the following link:https://www.notaries.pa.gov (link to Check New ApplicationStatus).C. Advise the customer of any fees for the notarial act.D. Record all relevant facts of the notarial act in the journal to createa compliant public record.E. Perform the requested notarial act in order to fulfill the customer'sintended purpose.FAILING AND RETAKING AN EXAMINATIONF. Complete, sign and affix the official stamp on the notarialcertificate to evidence the notarial act.A. Report change in the notary's information to the PennsylvaniaDepartment of State in order to keep the Department informed.To schedule a retake examination, use the web reservations on thePearson VUE web site at http://www.pearsonvue.com/pa/bpoa.Reservations for reexamination cannot be made at the test center,and you must wait twenty-four (24) hours from your failedexamination before making your reservation.B. Report change in the notary's status to the PennsylvaniaDepartment of State in order to keep the Department informed.DUPLICATE SCORE REPORTIII. Managing Notary Commission (6)C. Keep the stamp and journal in a secure location in order tomaintain custody and control, and prevent loss or fraudulent use.If you lose your Score Report or need a duplicate Score Report,complete the Request for Duplicate Score Report Form and mail it toPearson VUE (see Appendix A).D. Keep the mandatory surety bond in full force and effect in orderto protect customer from financial loss.5
AAPPENDIXPennsylvaniaNotaryDIRECTIONS:SEND TO:Request for Duplicate Score Report ou may use this form to ask Pearson VUE for a copy of your Examination Score Report. Please print orYtype all information on this form, or your request will be returned.Pearson VUE/Pennsylvania Notary ProgramDuplicate Score Request5601 Green Valley DriveBloomington, MN 55437or email the request to:pearsonvuecustomerservice@pearson.comPlease complete the following form with your current name and address. All informationmust be complete and accurate to ensure proper processing.NameStreetCity State ZipTel. ( )The last four (4) digits of your Social Security NumberName of ExamExam DateIf the above information was different at the time you were tested, please indicate originalinformation. If your name has changed, you must attach a copy of a legal documentauthorizing the change (for example, a marriage certificate or a divorce decree).NameStreetCity State ZipTel. ( )I hereby authorize Pearson VUE to send me at the address above a duplicate of my score report.Your SignatureDate
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may be made online at any time via https://www.notaries.pa.gov (link to Update Notary Info). Candidates may contact the Division at (717) 787-5280 for other methods of updating demographic information. APPROVAL TO TEST NOTICE When your Notary Public Application, application fee, education certificate, and any other requested documents have been
The Notary Reference Guide provides the applicable notary stamp and/or notary embosser for each state (see Available Item Numbers column). Please note that there are 13 specific notary stamp Item Numbers from which to choose. It is unnecessary to add an upcharge or additional fee to the customer’s notary stamp purchase.
Feb 28, 2005 · the notary stamp of a notary who will be employed during the hours of operation of the agent service. The owner of the agent service may be the notary. A card agent must be a notary. v If verification in lieu of notarization is used, then a notary is not required for agents with an 85, 86
The notary public bond is not an insurance policy for the notary public. The bond is designed only to provide a limited source of funds for paying claims against the notary public. The notary public remains personally liable to the full extent of any damages sustained and may
Division of Revenue – New Jersey Notary Public Manual Page 1 NEW JERSEY NOTARY PUBLIC MANUAL (Revised January 29, 2021) Introduction The office of Notary Public is a vital public function. Notaries are called upon to perform many valuable services for New Jersey's business, legal and financial communities. Effective notary services help to
of services to the public, the charging of Notary fees, the safekeeping of Notary tools, and the consequences of the unauthorized use of a Notary seal, to name just a few. To help employers develop their own guidelines, the National Notary Association has created Corporate Best Practices, a mod
8-16-113. Title of notary public for the state of Tennessee. Any notary public fulfilling the requirements of this part shall be known as a notary public for the state of Tennessee, and the official signature of such notary public shall so indicate. 8-16-114. Seal of notary public
Feb 23, 2017 · (Notary Public Manual, 2016, Pg. 7) a. §456-6 Liabilities; limitations on; official bond. For the official misconduct or neglect of a notary public or breach of any of the conditions of the notary’s official bond, the notary and the surety on the notary’s official bond shall be li
"Notary" or "Notary Public" means an individual appointed and commissioned to perform a notarial act by the Secretary of State (C.R.S. 24-21-502(8)). A "Notarial Officer" means a notary public or other individual authorized to perform a notarial act (C.R.S. 24-21-502(7)).
