California 6-Hour Notary Course, Online

Who this course is for

Anyone applying for a first California notary commission needs six hours from an approved course (Government Code § 8201(a)(3)).

Already a notary? The six-hour requirement applies again if your commission expires before you apply for reappointment, or if you have never completed an approved six-hour course. A six-hour course also satisfies the requirement in place of the three-hour refresher.

If you hold a current commission, have already completed an approved six-hour course, and will apply before that commission expires, the shorter course is the 3-hour refresher.

What’s included

• 14 course lessons, 6 tracked hours
• Practice exam access
• One month of tutor access
• Identity verification (photo ID + liveness)
• Proof of Completion certificate (CCR § 20800.5)

You can stop at any point. Your credited time is kept and you resume from the lesson you reached.

Where the course fits

1. Check that you meet the state's requirements to apply. How to become a notary in California
2. Complete this course. You receive your Proof of Completion certificate when the six hours are done and your identity is verified.
3. Take the state exam, with the certificate stapled to your application. What to expect at the exam
4. Practice before exam day. California notary practice test
5. After you pass, get fingerprinted through Live Scan. Once the commission is issued, file your oath and bond with the county clerk within 30 days of the start of its term.
6. Renewal comes with its own rules and deadlines. How to renew a California notary commission

Questions

How much does the 6-hour course cost?

$79, paid once. The price includes the Proof of Completion certificate and 1 month of tutor access.

How long does it take?

Six hours of tracked study, the length California requires for a first commission. The timer pauses when the tab is in the background. You can finish in one sitting or over several days, and your progress is saved.

Is the course online?

Yes. The lessons, the practice exam and the identity check all run online, and you study whenever it suits you.

What do I get when I finish?

A Proof of Completion certificate in the format CCR § 20800.5 sets. You attach it to your notary application and take both to the state exam. The certificate is not a commission: the Secretary of State issues the commission after you pass the exam and clear the background check, and you then file your oath and bond with the county clerk.

How does the practice exam work?

The practice exam is timed and reshuffles its questions on every attempt. In study mode the AI tutor explains your wrong answers; test mode runs without it. The lessons include review questions too.

How long do I keep access?

The course is self-paced. Tutor access lasts one month from the day you buy. Your Proof of Completion is valid for two years from the day it is issued.

How soon do I get the certificate?

Once the six hours are credited and your identity is verified (photo ID and a liveness check), you can download your Proof of Completion as a PDF from your certificate page.

Who answers my questions?

Ask the AI tutor about the course material, in the lessons, in the practice exam's study mode or on its own chat page. For anything else, email support@notrai.com.

What is the refund policy?

You can get a full refund within 7 days of purchase if you have not opened course material past the introductory page. Once you have opened course material, and until your certificate is issued, a pro-rated refund is available at our discretion. After the certificate is issued, there is no refund. An identity verification fee, if there is one, is not refunded once the check is done. To ask for a refund, email support@notrai.com with the subject "Refund Request". The full policy is at notrai.com/refund-policy.