Ohio Notary Continuing Education

For a standard non-attorney Ohio notary commission, Ohio doesn't have a traditional continuing education (CE) requirement the way many professional licenses do. There's no annual training mandate, no CE credit tracking, and no periodic coursework you need to complete between renewal cycles. During the five-year commission term, a non-attorney notary does not have to take additional courses until renewal.

The base-commission renewal course is different enough from initial training that it's worth understanding before your renewal window opens. RON authorization has a separate continuing-education requirement for renewal.

The 1-Hour Renewal Course

When a non-attorney notary renews an Ohio commission, the notary must complete a 1-hour state-approved continuing education course. This is shorter, cheaper, and less demanding than the initial 3-hour course you took when you first got commissioned.

Key differences from initial training:

The renewal course covers updates to Ohio notary law, changes to administrative procedures, and a refresher on the boundaries of notary authority. It doesn't end with an exam — you simply complete the course and receive a certificate of completion to include with your renewal application.

Who Provides the Renewal Course

The same approved providers who offer initial training also offer the renewal course:

• Ohio Notary Services, LLC — the statewide partnership of regional bar associations (Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo, and Ohio State Bar Associations). They offer the renewal course online.
• Individual county bar associations — some offer in-person or online renewal courses.

The Secretary of State maintains the authoritative list of approved providers. Before registering, verify that the provider you're considering is currently approved — the list can change.

When to Take the Renewal Course

For a non-attorney commission, the renewal window opens 90 days before the commission's expiration date. You should complete the renewal course early in this window — not at the last minute.

The practical sequence for renewal:

1. Get fingerprinted for a new BCI background check (earliest in the 90-day window)
2. Complete the 1-hour renewal course while waiting for BCI results
3. Submit your renewal application through notary.ohiosos.gov with the BCI report, renewal course certificate, and $15 state filing fee
4. Take a new in-person oath of office if required under HB 315

Starting early matters because your commission has no grace period. If a non-attorney renewal isn't fully processed before the expiration date, the commission terminates and you must start over as a new applicant — 3-hour course, exam, full fees.

Attorney Exemptions

Attorneys admitted to the practice of law in Ohio hold indefinite base commissions while they remain in good standing and meet Ohio's residency or practice requirements, so the five-year non-attorney renewal course does not apply to that base commission. They remain exempt from the written exam and the BCI background check.

RON Continuing Education

RON authorization has its own continuing-education requirement for renewal. The current Secretary of State provider schedule lists a 1-hour renewal course with no exam; the initial authorization requires the 2-hour course and exam.

For non-attorneys, RON authorization renews when the base commission renews; an attorney's RON authorization runs on a separate five-year term.

Staying Current Between Renewals

While a standard non-attorney commission doesn't mandate ongoing CE between renewals, the legal landscape does change. House Bill 315, effective April 2025, significantly altered oath requirements, fee limits, and electronic estate planning rules. Notaries who don't keep up with these changes risk performing acts incorrectly.

Practical ways to stay informed:

• The Secretary of State's law updates page publishes legislative changes affecting notaries
• The National Notary Association's blog covers state-level notary law changes nationwide
• Ohio Notary Services' email updates notify registered notaries about regulatory changes

The Ohio Notary Commission Guide includes a summary of current requirements and recent law changes — useful whether you're applying for the first time or preparing for renewal.

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