OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Oregon Notary Public — Requirements & Free Practice

US-OR · License preparation

141 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Loading selected examination banks…

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Notary Public Commission

Four-year commission under ORS 194.315. Optional IPEN and RON authorizations are represented separately. The stamp Certificate of Authorization evidences this commission under OAR 160-100-0125(1); education-provider approvals under OAR 160-100-1000(1) approve courses rather than the practice of a notary.

Licensing authority: Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division · Application information

Initial commission by examination
Oregon Secretary of State’s Notary Public Examination
Applicant Status
First-time applicant for an Oregon notary public commission.
Application Fee
Submit the $40 application fee with the oath; a four-year commission issues after compliance (ORS 194.315 and Guide page 16).
Background Check
Signing the application supplies consent to the Oregon State Police background investigation (ORS 194.370(4)).
Commission History
No notary commission revocation during the ten years before application (ORS 194.315(2)(h)).
Court Findings
No court finding of unlicensed practice of law or the unlawful trade practice specified in ORS 194.315(2)(f).
Criminal History
No felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit within the preceding ten years (ORS 194.315(2)(d)).
Disqualification
Not disqualified under ORS 194.340; denial or conditions may result from the listed noncompliance, misstatements, convictions, court findings, fraud, advertising, other-jurisdiction discipline or knowingly false certificates.
Education Identification
Provide the Notary Education Identification Number on the application (OAR 160-100-1060(3)(e)(B)).
Language
Able to read and write English (ORS 194.315(2)(c)).
Legal Name
Use the full legal name proven by satisfactory identification, including first, middle and last names unless otherwise proven (OAR 160-100-0020(2)).
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old at application (ORS 194.315(2)(a)).
Oath
Execute and submit an oath witnessed by another commissioned notary. The Guide requires submission within thirty days of issuance, otherwise retake the examination.
Residency Or Practice
Resident of Oregon or have a place of employment or practice in Oregon (ORS 194.315(2)(b)).
Specified Convictions
No conviction for impersonating a notary, obstructing governmental or judicial administration, or unlawful practice of law as specified in ORS 194.315(2)(e).
Training
Complete Notary Basics through the Secretary or an approved provider before the examination; the certificate is valid for six months (ORS 194.325 and OAR 160-100-1060).
Voluntary Compliance
No assurance of voluntary compliance based on the alleged violation specified in ORS 194.315(2)(g).
Reapplication after a previous commission has ended
Oregon Secretary of State’s Notary Public Examination
Applicant Status
Former Oregon notary applying for a new commission after expiration or other termination, subject to the same statutory eligibility and disqualification rules.
Application Fee
Submit the $40 application fee with the oath; a four-year commission issues after compliance (ORS 194.315 and Guide page 16).
Background Check
Signing the application supplies consent to the Oregon State Police background investigation (ORS 194.370(4)).
Commission History
No notary commission revocation during the ten years before application (ORS 194.315(2)(h)).
Court Findings
No court finding of unlicensed practice of law or the unlawful trade practice specified in ORS 194.315(2)(f).
Criminal History
No felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit within the preceding ten years (ORS 194.315(2)(d)).
Disqualification
Not disqualified under ORS 194.340; denial or conditions may result from the listed noncompliance, misstatements, convictions, court findings, fraud, advertising, other-jurisdiction discipline or knowingly false certificates.
Education Identification
Provide the Notary Education Identification Number on the application (OAR 160-100-1060(3)(e)(B)).
Language
Able to read and write English (ORS 194.315(2)(c)).
Legal Name
Use the full legal name proven by satisfactory identification, including first, middle and last names unless otherwise proven (OAR 160-100-0020(2)).
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old at application (ORS 194.315(2)(a)).
Oath
Execute and submit an oath witnessed by another commissioned notary. The Guide requires submission within thirty days of issuance, otherwise retake the examination.
Repeat Training
Complete basic training and pass the examination again even when the previous commission has expired.
Residency Or Practice
Resident of Oregon or have a place of employment or practice in Oregon (ORS 194.315(2)(b)).
Specified Convictions
No conviction for impersonating a notary, obstructing governmental or judicial administration, or unlawful practice of law as specified in ORS 194.315(2)(e).
Training
Complete Notary Basics through the Secretary or an approved provider before the examination; the certificate is valid for six months (ORS 194.325 and OAR 160-100-1060).
Voluntary Compliance
No assurance of voluntary compliance based on the alleged violation specified in ORS 194.315(2)(g).
New commission for a currently commissioned notary
Oregon Secretary of State’s Notary Public Examination
Applicant Status
Current Oregon notary seeking a new four-year commission.
Application Fee
Submit the $40 application fee with the oath; a four-year commission issues after compliance (ORS 194.315 and Guide page 16).
Application Timing
May submit a new application thirty days before the current commission expires; renewal is not automatic and a new commission number is issued.
Background Check
Signing the application supplies consent to the Oregon State Police background investigation (ORS 194.370(4)).
Commission History
No notary commission revocation during the ten years before application (ORS 194.315(2)(h)).
Court Findings
No court finding of unlicensed practice of law or the unlawful trade practice specified in ORS 194.315(2)(f).
Criminal History
No felony or crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit within the preceding ten years (ORS 194.315(2)(d)).
Disqualification
Not disqualified under ORS 194.340; denial or conditions may result from the listed noncompliance, misstatements, convictions, court findings, fraud, advertising, other-jurisdiction discipline or knowingly false certificates.
Education Identification
Provide the Notary Education Identification Number on the application (OAR 160-100-1060(3)(e)(B)).
Language
Able to read and write English (ORS 194.315(2)(c)).
Legal Name
Use the full legal name proven by satisfactory identification, including first, middle and last names unless otherwise proven (OAR 160-100-0020(2)).
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old at application (ORS 194.315(2)(a)).
Oath
Execute and submit an oath witnessed by another commissioned notary. The Guide requires submission within thirty days of issuance, otherwise retake the examination.
Repeat Training
Basic training and examination are required again; a current commission does not excuse them.
Residency Or Practice
Resident of Oregon or have a place of employment or practice in Oregon (ORS 194.315(2)(b)).
Specified Convictions
No conviction for impersonating a notary, obstructing governmental or judicial administration, or unlawful practice of law as specified in ORS 194.315(2)(e).
Training
Complete Notary Basics through the Secretary or an approved provider before the examination; the certificate is valid for six months (ORS 194.325 and OAR 160-100-1060).
Voluntary Compliance
No assurance of voluntary compliance based on the alleged violation specified in ORS 194.315(2)(g).

Oregon Secretary of State’s Notary Public Examination

Provider
Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division
Format
Open-book yes/no, true/false and multiple-choice test; online or official paper application
Exam questions
20 questions in the official paper examination
Passing score
No more than four incorrect answers out of twenty in the official paper examination
Examination outline
  • ORS Chapter 194 — Uniform Law on Notarial Acts; Unsworn Foreign Declarations
  • OAR Chapter 160, Division 100 — Notaries Public
Examination sources