The Hawaii notary public exam tests whether you know the statutes and administrative rules governing notarial acts in the state. Three law sources form the entire syllabus: HRS Chapter 456, HRS sections 502-41 to 502-74, and HAR Chapter 5-11. This plan walks through each stage of prep, grounded in those sources.
What score do you need to pass?
The minimum passing score is 80 percent, set by Hawaii Administrative Rules section 5-11-32. The Department of the Attorney General does not publish the official question count or time limit for the closed-book written exam. A typical practice mock uses 50 questions in 60 minutes, meaning 40 correct answers to clear the bar. Build your study plan around that 80 percent standard from day one.
What topics does the exam cover?
The exam tests eleven topic areas, all drawn from the three source laws. The table below shows each topic and its approximate weight in a representative mock:
| Topic | Approx. questions |
|---|---|
| Commission and Qualifications | 6 |
| Powers and Authorized Acts | 5 |
| Prohibited Acts and Conduct | 5 |
| Seal and Official Signature | 5 |
| Notarial Certificates | 5 |
| Journal and Records | 5 |
| Acknowledgment Law (HRS 502) | 5 |
| Identifying Signers | 4 |
| Fees | 4 |
| Bond, Filing and Liability | 3 |
| Discipline and Penalties | 3 |
Commission and Qualifications carries the most questions and covers the attorney general’s appointment authority, the four-year commission term, the application process, the exam itself, and renewal. Acknowledgment Law under HRS 502 is a separate chapter from Chapter 456 but equally tested: it governs when an acknowledgment must be attached before a conveyance can be recorded, the statutory certificate forms, and acknowledgments taken outside Hawaii or outside the United States.
How should you structure your study weeks?
Three to four weeks is a realistic timeline for most applicants.
Week 1: Read the source laws. Work through HRS Chapter 456 and HAR Chapter 5-11 together, then read HRS sections 502-41 to 502-74 as a separate block. The Attorney General’s office posts links to all three documents at ag.hawaii.gov/notaries-public/notaries-public-documents/.
Weeks 2 and 3: Drill by category. Use practice questions topic by topic. Score yourself per category and stay with a section until you can clear 80 percent before moving on. The figures that trip up many test-takers include:
- $1,000 surety bond required by HRS 456-5
- $5 per party for taking an acknowledgment, under HRS 456-17
- 10 years journal retention after the last notarial act, under HAR 5-11-9
- 30 days to notify the Attorney General of an address or employer change, under HAR 5-11-10
- 90 days mandatory wait after a second exam failure before reapplying
Week 4: Full mocks. Run timed 50-question practice exams until you clear 80 percent consistently. After each mock, return to any category where you fell short and drill those questions again before retesting.
What specific facts should you lock in?
Several numbers appear in multiple exam topics. Committing these to memory pays dividends across categories:
- 80%: pass mark (HAR 5-11-32)
- 4 years: notary commission term
- $1,000: surety bond (HRS 456-5)
- $5: acknowledgment fee per party (HRS 456-17)
- 10 years: journal retention after the last act (HAR 5-11-9)
- 30 days: deadline to notify the Attorney General of a change in address or employer (HAR 5-11-10)
- 90 days: wait period after failing twice
- $20 / $10 / $100: application, examination, and issuance fees (HAR 5-11-46)
The seal requirements under HRS 456-3 also come up frequently: the seal must show the notary’s name, commission number, and the words “Notary Public” and “State of Hawaii”, and those elements only.
When and where is the exam held?
Exams on Oahu are typically offered on the second Wednesday of each month. On the neighbor islands, sittings are held quarterly. Contact the Department of the Attorney General to confirm the current schedule and to register. The exam fee is $10 per sitting, and the commission issuance fee is $100 once you pass.