The Illinois notary public exam is a 50-question final examination that sits at the end of a required course of study. Pass it at 85 percent or higher and you can apply to the Secretary of State for a four-year commission. Here is a step-by-step plan grounded in the exam’s actual topics and pass mark.
Do I need to take a course before the exam?
Yes. Illinois law requires applicants to complete a Secretary of State-approved course of study and pass the final examination before being commissioned (5 ILCS 312/2-101.5). The exam is the conclusion of that course, not a standalone test. The only exemption covers renewal applicants who are licensed attorneys in good standing, current Illinois or federal judges, or employees of such an attorney or court, provided they file a signed statement confirming they have read and understood the current Act.
What is the pass mark and how is the exam structured?
You must score at least 85 percent, which is at least 43 of the 50 questions correct on a single sitting (14 Ill. Adm. Code 176.235). The 50 questions are drawn at random from a bank of at least 100, so each sitting is unique. Illinois does not publish an official time limit. Questions may be multiple choice, true or false, or a mix, but no more than half may be true or false.
If you score below 85 percent you may be re-tested using different questions from the bank. Failing three times means failing the course.
Which six topics should you study?
The exam tests six topic areas drawn from the Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312) and the state notary rules (14 Ill. Adm. Code Part 176). The number of questions per topic is fixed:
- Notarial Acts (11 questions): the complete list of acts you may perform, acknowledgments, jurats, oaths and affirmations, verifications, signers who cannot sign, and the fee caps ($5 per traditional act, $25 per electronic act under 5 ILCS 312/3-104).
- Commissioning (9 questions): who may be appointed, residency requirements, the course and exam, the four-year commission term, the application process, the oath and bond, and changes that end a commission.
- Certificates and the Seal (8 questions): the required content of a notarial certificate, the official rubber stamp seal and its dimensions (not more than one inch high by two and a half inches long), the electronic seal, and how to acquire or replace a seal.
- Journal and Records (8 questions): what each journal entry must contain, the Section 3-102 real-property record (which requires the property index number and street address), prohibited entries, and the paper and electronic journal formats.
- Electronic and Remote Notarization (8 questions): the electronic notary commission, electronic signatures and seals, remote notarization via audio-video communication, approved system providers, and recording requirements.
- Prohibited Acts and Penalties (6 questions): acts a notary may not perform, official misconduct, impersonation and wrongful possession, liability exposure, and the grounds for reprimand, suspension, or revocation.
What fees and bond do you need to budget for?
Several costs apply beyond the course fee. The Secretary of State charges a $15 application fee for a notary commission (plus $25 more for an electronic notary public commission). A $5,000 surety bond is required for traditional notarizations; if you also plan to perform electronic or remote notarizations, the bond rises to a combined $30,000. None of these fees are part of the approved course cost.
How do you put together a study plan?
Work through the course material in topic order, starting with Notarial Acts and Commissioning (the two heaviest categories). Then move to the remaining four topics. After completing each topic, practice questions on it before moving on. Once you have covered all six categories, shift to full 50-question mock exams under timed conditions and track your score on each attempt. Aim to clear 43 of 50 consistently before your exam date.
The official source for the Illinois notary rules is the Illinois General Assembly’s website at ilga.gov. For Secretary of State-approved course providers, check the Secretary of State’s notary public page directly.
This article is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Illinois Secretary of State or the State of Illinois.