Illinois Notary Exam: Passing Score, Cost, Retakes
In Illinois the exam is the final exam of a course from a Secretary of State-certified provider: 50 questions from a bank of at least 100, and you must score at least 85% (14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235). The state does not publish a time limit or an exam price.
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| Who gives it | Your SOS-certified course provider |
|---|---|
| Questions | 50 questions (bank of 100+) |
| Time limit | Not published by the state |
| Passing score | At least 85% |
| Fees | Exam/course price set by provider (not published by the state); $15 application fee |
| Retakes | Retest with new questions; 3 fails = fail the course |
| How to register | Enroll with a certified course provider |
| Who must take it | New applicants since Jan 1, 2024 (limited renewal exemptions) |
Every answer below quotes the official source it comes from. Where no official source states a fact, we say it is not published by the state. We make no pass-rate claims.
Who administers the Illinois notary exam?
Your course provider. The exam is the final exam of a course taught by a provider or instructor certified by the Secretary of State.
“To be accepted by the Secretary, the course of study must be taught by a provider or instructor certified by the Secretary.”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205 (Course of study and examination)
“Students must complete a final examination at the end of the course”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)
How many questions are on the Illinois notary exam?
50 questions, drawn from a test bank of at least 100. No more than half may be true/false.
“which shall consist of 50 questions from a test bank of a minimum of 100 questions.”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)
“in no event may more than one-half of the questions be true/false.”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)
How long is the Illinois notary exam?
Not published by the state. The Secretary of State rules we checked (14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205, 176.225 and 176.235) give no exam time limit, so ask your course provider.
Not published by the state. No official figure in the sources we checked.
What is the passing score for the Illinois notary exam?
At least 85% on the course's final examination.
“A student must score at least 85% on the final examination.”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)
How much does the Illinois notary exam cost?
Not published by the state: the exam is part of the course, and the Secretary of State rules set no course or exam price. The state application fee is $15.
“Every applicant for appointment and commission as a notary public shall pay to the Secretary of State a fee of $15.”
Source: Illinois Notary Public Handbook (I PUB 16), quoting 5 ILCS 312
Can I retake the Illinois notary exam?
Yes. Below 85% you are retested with different questions, without repeating the course. Fail the final exam 3 times and you have failed the course.
“If a student scores less than 85%, the student must be re-tested using different questions from the test bank. The student is not required to repeat the course”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)
“If the student fails the comprehensive final examination 3 times, the student has failed the course.”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)
How do I register for the Illinois notary exam?
Enroll in a course from a Secretary of State-certified provider. You take the exam at the end of the course, then have two years to apply for your commission.
“The applicant will have two years from the date of the examination to apply for a notary public or electronic notary public commission.”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205 (Course of study and examination)
Who has to take the Illinois notary exam?
Since January 1, 2024, applicants for a notary or electronic notary commission must complete the course and pass the exam. Some renewing attorneys, judges and their employees are exempt.
“Beginning January 1, 2024, applicants seeking a commission as either a notary public or an electronic notary public must first successfully complete a course of study and acquire a passing score on the examination”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205 (Course of study and examination)
“licensed attorneys in good standing with the ARDC, current Illinois court or federal court judges, or applicants that are employed by a licensed attorney in good standing with the ARDC or an Illinois or federal court who are renewing their Notary Public commission are not required to complete a course of study or pass an examination”
Source: 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205 (Course of study and examination)
Sources
- 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205 (Course of study and examination)
- 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235 (Course completion and final examination)
- Illinois Notary Public Handbook (I PUB 16), quoting 5 ILCS 312
Illinois notary exam myths, checked against the rule text
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Independent study aid. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any state agency, exam vendor or course provider. All questions are original practice questions written from official public sources; they are not actual exam questions. Laws and fees change, so confirm details with the official source before you rely on them. Official sources: Illinois Notary Public Handbook (PDF), 5 ILCS 312 Illinois Notary Public Act, 14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.205 (course and exam).
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