CPS HR Consulting and the CA Notary Exam: Ensuring Integrity and Standards
CPS HR Consulting is the company the California Secretary of State contracts to administer the notary exam. If you want to become a notary in California, you will deal with them. Here is what they do and what to expect.
What CPS HR Does
CPS HR handles exam scheduling, test site logistics, proctoring, grading, and sending results to the Secretary of State. They do not set the exam content. The SOS determines what is on the test. CPS HR just administers it.
Exams are held at locations throughout California, typically on weekdays. You can find upcoming dates and register on the CPS HR website. Exam sessions are usually offered once or twice a month in major cities (Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, Fresno) and less frequently in smaller cities.
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Exam and application fee (first attempt) | $40 |
| Retake fee | $20 |
| Live Scan fingerprinting | $20–$45 (varies by provider) |
| Notary bond ($15,000) | $38–$100 (varies by provider) |
| Required 6-hour education course | $30–$150 |
| Notary seal and journal | $30–$60 |
Your total cost to become a California notary, start to finish, runs about $150–$400 depending on which course and bond provider you choose.
How to Register
- Complete a 6-hour approved notary education course. California requires this before you can take the exam. You need a certificate of completion to bring to the exam site. Our 6-hour course satisfies this requirement.
- Go to the CPS HR website and select an exam date and location.
- Fill out the notary public application. You can download it from the Secretary of State website.
- Bring your application, fee, ID, and education certificate to the exam site.
Registration is not available at the door. You must sign up in advance through CPS HR.
What to Bring to the Exam
- Current government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
- $40 exam and application fee (check or money order payable to “Secretary of State”)
- Two No. 2 pencils
- Completed notary application
- Certificate of completion from your 6-hour notary course
No phones, no calculators, no notes. The exam is closed-book. See our full exam checklist for details.
Exam Format
- 45 multiple-choice questions
- 1 hour to complete
- Closed-book
- 70% scaled score to pass
Questions cover notary law, ID requirements, journal keeping, fee limits, prohibited acts, and penalties. The questions are drawn from the California Government Code sections that govern notaries public. Most questions are scenario-based: “A borrower hands you a document and asks you to notarize it. The borrower has no ID. What do you do?”
Our 6-hour course covers all tested material with practice questions that mirror the exam format.
Results and Retakes
Results arrive by mail in 15 to 25 business days. CPS HR sends them directly to you. If you pass, the Secretary of State will process your commission, which takes an additional 4 to 6 weeks after receiving your exam results.
If you fail, you can retake for $20. You can only test once per calendar month. There is no limit on the number of retakes. According to CPS HR data, first-time pass rates are around 60 to 70 percent for people who took an approved education course, and lower for those who did not prepare.
See our guide on passing the California notary exam for study strategies.
What Happens After You Pass
- Get fingerprinted (Live Scan). The SOS will send you instructions. You must complete this within a set timeframe.
- Purchase a $15,000 notary bond. This protects the public, not you. Buy it from an insurance agent or bonding company.
- File your oath and bond with the county clerk. You have 30 calendar days from when your commission is issued to do this.
- Buy your notary seal and journal. Your seal must meet California specifications (photographic reproducible, inked stamp with specific required text).
- Start notarizing. Your commission is valid for 4 years.
Why the State Uses a Third Party
Using an independent testing company keeps the exam process fair. CPS HR has no stake in who passes or fails. They give the same test to everyone under the same conditions.
Before CPS HR took over exam administration, the Secretary of State’s office handled it internally. The state switched to a third party to cut down on wait times and keep things consistent. CPS HR has been administering the California notary exam since 2005.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for the notary exam?
Through the CPS HR website. Select a date and location, then submit your application and fee. You must register in advance.
How long is the exam?
45 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour.
What score do I need to pass?
70% scaled score.
How long until I get my results?
15 to 25 business days by mail from CPS HR.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Yes, for $20. Once per calendar month, no limit on attempts.
Do I need to take a course before the exam?
Yes. California requires a state-approved 6-hour education course before you can sit for the exam. Bring your certificate of completion to the test site.
What is the first-time pass rate?
Roughly 60 to 70 percent for candidates who completed an approved education course. Preparation makes a significant difference.
