Has the NY notary exam changed recently?

The NY notary exam content is governed by the NY Notary Public License Law booklet, which is updated occasionally. The 2026 exam reflects current law including the permanent RON provisions enacted in January 2023. Always verify with the DOS that you are studying the current version of the booklet.

Is the NY notary exam multiple choice?

Yes. The NY notary exam consists entirely of multiple choice questions, typically with four answer choices (A, B, C, D) per question. There are no essay questions or fill-in-the-blank sections.

Are there trick questions on the NY notary exam?

The exam uses "NOT" and "EXCEPT" phrasing that trips up many candidates. These are not trick questions - they are straightforward if you read carefully. The trick is in not missing the NOT.

What to Expect on the NY Notary Exam in 2026

Knowing exactly what is on the exam before you sit for it gives you a significant advantage. Here is a detailed breakdown of the 2026 NY notary exam format, topics, and the concepts that appear most frequently.

Exam Format at a Glance

Questions

Multiple choice

Format

70% (28/40)

Passing score

$15

Fee

Topic Breakdown

Part 1: License Law

~60%

~24 questions - Eligibility, application, fees, term of office, misconduct, removal, exemptions, RON authorization.

Part 2: General Terms

~25%

~10 questions - Acknowledgment, jurat, affidavit, affirmation, deposition, lien, mortgage, deed, power of attorney, executor, administrator.

Part 3: Duties and Functions

~15%

~6 questions - What notaries can and cannot do, oath administration, negotiable instruments, civil depositions.

Most Frequently Tested Concepts

All fee amounts - especially $2 (per act), $15 (exam), $60 (application/renewal), $25 max (RON), $10 (County Clerk cert), $5 (Secretary of State cert)

Eligibility requirements - who can and cannot become a notary (sheriffs cannot; attorneys are exempt from exam)

Term of office - 4 years; commission is county-specific but jurisdiction is statewide

Acknowledgment vs jurat - no oath for acknowledgment; oath required for jurat

Misconduct and removal - Secretary of State authority; notary must be served charges and heard

Executor vs administrator - executor named in will; administrator appointed by court when no will

Deposition authority - notaries may take depositions in civil proceedings only (NOT criminal)

RON authorization - permanent since January 31, 2023; $25 max fee; notary must be in NY

Prohibited acts - cannot practice law, cannot notarize own documents, cannot administer oath to themselves

Oath vs affirmation - equal legal weight; affirmation used for those with religious objections to oaths

What Is New on the 2026 Exam

The 2026 exam reflects the permanent RON provisions enacted January 31, 2023. Expect questions on:

+Remote Online Notarization is permanently authorized in NY
+RON maximum fee: $25 per notarial act
+The notary must be physically located in NY during RON sessions
+RON requires identity verification via KBA and credential analysis
+RON sessions must be recorded and retained for 10 years