NY Notary Exam Schedule

How the Exam Works

The New York notary exam is administered directly by the Department of State (DOS), Division of Licensing Services. There's no online pre-registration and no advance appointment system — you walk in to a designated testing center on a scheduled exam day, register on-site, and take the test.

The exam itself is 40 multiple-choice questions drawn from the Notary Public License Law booklet, with a one-hour time limit. The passing score is 70%. Results come by mail in about 10 days as a simple pass or fail — no numerical score.

Where to Take the Exam

The DOS operates 10 walk-in testing centers across the state:

• Albany
• Binghamton
• Buffalo
• Franklin Square (Long Island)
• Hauppauge (Long Island)
• New York City
• Plattsburgh
• Rochester
• Syracuse
• Utica

Seats are first-come, first-served. The DOS publishes specific exam dates per location on its website, and schedules can vary by season and demand. Check the DOS Written Exam Sites page for current dates at each center.

If you need accommodations due to a physical, learning, or psychological disability, submit the DOS Special Testing Arrangements Request form before the exam date — walk-in accommodation requests aren't accepted.

What to Bring

Four things are required:

1. Government-issued photo ID — unexpired, with your signature visible. A driver's license, U.S. passport, or permanent resident card all work.
2. Two #2 pencils — the exam uses a paper answer sheet.
3. $15 testing fee — payable by check, money order, or credit card authorization form. Cash is not accepted.
4. Arrive on time — late arrivals are denied entry, no exceptions.

Proctors collect a thumbprint from each candidate at check-in, before admitting anyone to the exam room. Electronic devices must be powered off during the test. Scrap paper, dictionaries, and reference materials are prohibited.

Translated Exams and Language Options

If you need the exam in a language other than English, tell the proctor when you check in at the test site. The DOS offers translated versions in Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Chinese.

After You Pass

Your pass slip arrives by mail and is valid for exactly two years from the exam date. Within that window, you must complete and submit your notary commission application through NY Business Express. If you miss the two-year deadline, the result expires and you retake the exam.

There's no limit on retakes. If you fail, you'll receive a fail notice by mail and can sit for the exam again on any subsequent testing date by paying another $15 fee.

What the Exam Costs in Context

The $15 exam fee is just the first expense. The full commissioning process adds a $60 application fee and roughly $25 to $65 for supplies (such as a compliant journal and optional stamp). Total baseline cost to get commissioned: approximately $100 to $140.

For a detailed walkthrough of every step after passing — oath execution, the online application, county clerk filing, and supply requirements — get the complete New York notary commission toolkit.

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