Planning Your California Notary Renewal
Start with your commission expiration date and work backward from the state exam.
Leave time for the state exam
The California Notary Public Handbook recommends taking the exam at least six months before your commission expires to help avoid a gap. This is planning guidance, not a guarantee of processing time.
Protect your refresher eligibility
If you use a three-hour refresher, your course certificate alone does not preserve eligibility after commission expiration. The state exam and application must be completed before your current commission expires. A retake after expiration requires six-hour education.
Keep the steps separate
Book education and the state exam, prepare your application, and follow the official fingerprinting and commissioning checklist. Check current processing dates with the Secretary of State rather than assuming a fixed turnaround.
Source: Current California Notary Public Handbook. Reviewed November 8, 2026.