Free Arizona Notary Practice Test (24 Questions, Instant Scoring)

24 questions. Instant scoring. Per-answer explanations with Reference Manual page cites. No signup required to start.

This free practice test is drawn from the same verified 295-question bank behind the AzNotaryClass.com exam-prep course. Every question was written against the current Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual (October 2026 edition, 66 pages), the same manual the state exam is drawn from, and every explanation tells you the exact page the answer comes from.

You do not need an account, an email address, or a credit card to take the test. Start answering, and your score appears the moment you finish.

How this practice test works

24 multiple-choice questions, four options each, same format as the real exam.
Instant scoring the moment you submit. You see your raw score, your percentage, and whether you clear the real exam’s 80% bar.
A topic breakdown across the four areas that dominate the exam: (1) qualifications and the application, (2) commissions, seals, and journals, (3) notarial acts and ID, and (4) compliance and misconduct. You learn not just *that* you missed questions, but *where* your weak spots are.
A per-answer explanation for every question, including the statute citation and the Reference Manual page the answer comes from, the same page you could look up inside the real exam’s built-in manual.
No time limit. The real exam gives you 60 minutes for 45 questions; this diagnostic is untimed so you can read every explanation as you go. Save the clock pressure for the full timed simulation.

What the real Arizona notary exam looks like

The state exam, required since July 1, 2025 for every new commission and every renewal (A.R.S. § 41-270), is:

Fact	Detail
Questions	45 multiple choice
Time limit	60 minutes
Passing score	80%, at least 36 of 45 correct
Format	Open book: the Reference Manual is built into the exam as a searchable PDF
Score validity	90 days from your test date

Open book does not mean easy. You can miss at most 9 questions, and the retake rules are unforgiving. It means the skill being tested is *familiarity with the manual* (knowing where facts live and how to find them fast) rather than raw memorization.

Scoring, your full report, and what comes next

When you finish, you get your score and topic breakdown immediately, on this page.

For the full diagnostic report, enter your email at the end of the test and we’ll send a complete breakdown: performance by topic, every question you missed with its explanation, and a study sequence keyed to the Reference Manual chapters where your misses cluster. That email is the only thing we ask for, and it’s optional.

If the diagnostic shows gaps, the full AzNotaryClass.com course picks up where this test ends:

A complete timed 45-question simulation, the same length, time limit, and 80% bar as the real exam, drawn from the 295-question bank this free test samples.
26 video lessons walking the Reference Manual chapter by chapter, with answer explanations throughout.
Launch pricing is $69 (list price $79) while the course is new.
Lifetime access to this edition. The course is built to the current Reference Manual (October 2026 edition) and the current 2026 exam rules, and it stays yours until the state’s materials change materially, including when your renewal re-exam comes around.

One thing worth saying plainly: the State of Arizona does not designate an official trainer or endorse training companies, so no prep course, including ours, is “state-approved.” What the state requires is an exam. What a course does is get you ready for it.

The four topic areas on this test

1. Qualifications and the application. Who may become an Arizona notary (age, citizenship, residency, English, the § 41-271 disqualifiers), the $5,000 four-year bond, the $43 filing total, and the 90-day window to apply after passing.

2. Commissions, seals, and journals. The four-year commission, the six required seal elements, rubber-stamp format and ink colors, the one-seal rule, journal entry requirements, five-year retention, and public-records request rules.

3. Notarial acts and ID. The six authorized acts, the acknowledgment-versus-jurat distinction (the single most-tested concept), the eight forms of satisfactory evidence of identity, credible witnesses, and copy-certification limits.

4. Compliance and misconduct. The twelve types of misconduct under A.R.S. § 41-271, the penalty amounts (including the class 5 felony for overcharging), the 10-day lost-seal report, and how complaints move from the Secretary of State to the Attorney General’s Office.

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Practice test questions

Topic 1: Qualifications & the Application

Question 1 *(qualifications)*

According to the manual, which of the following is NOT one of the qualifications to become an Arizona notary?

A) Being at least 18 years of age
B) Being a licensed attorney in the state of Arizona
C) Being able to read and write the English language
D) Being a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States

Correct: B. There is no attorney licensure requirement. The qualifications are: (1) at least 18 years old, (2) a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States, (3) an Arizona resident for income tax purposes with primary residence in the state, (4) able to read, write, and understand English, (5) not disqualified under A.R.S. § 41-271, (6) have passed the exam if required, and (7) keep the Reference Manual as a reference. *(Manual p. 4)*

Question 2 *(bond)*

How much is the notary bond required for an Arizona notary commission, and what is its term?

A) $1,000 for 2 years
B) $5,000 for 4 years
C) $5,000 for 2 years
D) $10,000 for 4 years

Correct: B. Arizona requires a $5,000 notary bond for the full 4-year commission term. The bond protects the public from financial harm caused by notary misconduct. A duplicate bond is also required — the original is filed with the Secretary of State and the duplicate is retained by the notary. *(Manual p. 5)*

Question 3 *(fees)*

What is the total filing fee to apply for an initial Arizona notary commission?

A) $35
B) $18
C) $25
D) $43

Correct: D. The total filing fee prepaid to the Secretary of State is $43: a $25 application fee plus an $18 notary bond filing fee. The $35 figure is the cost of the notary exam, paid separately to the exam provider, a classic exam trap. *(Manual p. 6; exam fee per p. 14)*

Question 4 *(deadlines)*

Within what timeframe must a completed notary application be submitted to the Secretary of State after passing the exam?

A) 90 days
B) 120 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days

Correct: A. You must submit your completed application within 90 days of passing the exam. If the window expires, your exam results expire and you must retake the exam. *(Manual p. 6)*

Question 5 *(exam facts)*

What is the passing score required on the Arizona notary exam, and how many questions does it contain?

A) 80% on 45 questions
B) 80% on 50 questions
C) 70% on 45 questions
D) 75% on 50 questions

Correct: A. The exam consists of 45 questions and you must score at least 80% (36 correct) to pass, within 60 minutes. Results are valid for 90 days. *(Manual p. 14)*

Question 6 *(processing)*

What is the typical processing timeline for an Arizona notary commission after submitting a complete application?

A) 1-2 weeks
B) 2-3 weeks
C) 4-6 weeks
D) 8-10 weeks

Correct: C. Standard processing is 4-6 weeks from the date a complete application is received. Plan your bond, seal, and journal purchases around it — do not order a seal before your commission arrives. *(Manual p. 6)*

Topic 2: Commissions, Seals & Journals

Question 7 *(seal)*

How many required elements must appear on an Arizona notary seal under A.R.S. § 41-266(B)?

A) 7
B) 8
C) 5
D) 6

Correct: D. Exactly 6: (1) the words “Notary Public,” (2) the notary’s name as commissioned, (3) the Arizona county, (4) the commission expiration date, (5) the Great Seal of Arizona, and (6) the commission number. Size and ink are separate form requirements. *(Manual p. 9)*

Question 8 *(seal)*

Which type of seal is an Arizona notary required to use?

A) An embosser that raises the paper
B) A rubber stamp using dark ink
C) A digital electronic seal
D) An adhesive foil sticker seal

Correct: B. Arizona requires a rubber stamp using dark ink. An embosser alone does not satisfy the requirement, though it may be used alongside the stamp. *(Manual p. 9)*

Question 9 *(seal)*

Which of the following ink colors is an ACCEPTABLE choice for an Arizona notary seal?

A) Metallic gold
B) Red
C) Green
D) Dark purple

Correct: D. Only dark ink is acceptable: black, dark blue, dark purple, or dark brown. Red, green, and metallic inks are not. *(Manual p. 9)*

Question 10 *(journal)*

How long must an Arizona notary retain their journal before it may be destroyed?

A) 3 years after the most recent entry
B) 5 years after the date of the most recent entry
C) 7 years after the commission expires
D) 10 years after the journal is filled

Correct: B. A journal may not be destroyed unless the most recent entry in it is at least five years old. You may keep journals longer, but not shorter. *(Manual pp. 10-11)*

Question 11 *(journal — new law note)*

Which journal entry element became REQUIRED for deeds, deeds of trust, other real-property documents, and powers of attorney under SB 1479, now part of the current Reference Manual?

A) The type of satisfactory evidence of identity used
B) The date of the notarial act
C) The printed name, address, and signature of the signer
D) The signer’s right thumbprint

Correct: D. Effective September 12, 2026, SB 1479 (A.R.S. § 41-254(C)) requires the signer’s right thumbprint in the journal for deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, other documents affecting real property, and powers of attorney. The October 2026 manual now carries the rule in its journal-entry list, with exceptions flagged on page 52. *(Manual p. 23; A.R.S. § 41-254(C))*. See our SB 1479 guide.

Question 12 *(renewal)*

When may a notary begin the renewal process, and is the exam required?

A) 60 days prior to expiration; exam is always required
B) 90 days prior to expiration; exam only required if more than 5 years since last exam
C) 6 months prior to expiration; exam not required for consecutive renewals
D) 30 days prior to expiration; exam not required if renewed on time

Correct: A. Renewal may begin 60 days before expiration, and Arizona requires the exam for every renewal — there is no exemption for experienced notaries. *(Manual p. 10)*

Topic 3: Notarial Acts & ID

Question 13 *(six acts)*

Which of the following correctly lists all six notarial acts authorized for Arizona notaries?

A) Acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, affirmations, copy certifications, and witnessing signatures
B) Acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, jurats, copy certifications, witnessing or attesting signatures, and noting protests of negotiable instruments
C) Acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, copy certifications, witnessing signatures, and certifying translations
D) Acknowledgments, oaths, jurats, copy certifications, witnessing signatures, and attesting to document authenticity

Correct: B. Oaths and affirmations count as one act; certifying translations and “attesting to authenticity” are not authorized acts. Noting protests of negotiable instruments is the sixth, rarely used act. *(Manual p. 25)*

Question 14 *(acknowledgment)*

A signer brings a document that was signed three days ago and requests an acknowledgment. Which statement is correct?

A) The notary must refuse because the document was not signed in the notary’s presence
B) The notary must require the signer to sign a new copy in the notary’s presence
C) The notary may proceed with the acknowledgment because pre-signing is permitted for acknowledgments
D) The notary must cross out the old signature and have the signer re-sign in the notary’s presence

Correct: C. For an acknowledgment, the signer does not need to have signed in the notary’s presence — the signer must personally appear and acknowledge the signature. This is the key contrast with a jurat. *(Manual p. 26)*

Question 15 *(jurat)*

Which of the following is required for a jurat but NOT required for an acknowledgment?

A) The notary must record the notarization in the journal
B) The signer must appear before the notary in person
C) The document must contain no blanks at the time of notarization
D) The notary must positively identify the signer using satisfactory evidence

Correct: C. For a jurat the signer must sign in the notary’s presence AND the document must contain no blanks — the signer is swearing to the truth of the contents. Journal entry, personal appearance, and ID are required for both acts. *(Manual pp. 26-28)*

Question 16 *(copy certification)*

Under A.R.S. § 41-253(D), which of the following documents may an Arizona notary NOT certify a copy of?

A) A college diploma issued by a private university
B) A Power of Attorney document
C) A personal letter written by the requestor
D) A birth certificate issued by a state vital records office

Correct: D. Public records — birth, death, and marriage certificates, court records, recorded deeds — cannot be copy-certified; the requester must go to the issuing agency. Diplomas, letters, and POAs are not public records and may be certified (the notary must personally make the photocopy). *(Manual pp. 28-29)*

Question 17 *(certificate language)*

Which phrase in a notarial certificate indicates that the requested act is a jurat?

A) “Acknowledged before me”
B) “Subscribed and sworn before me”
C) “Personally appeared before me”
D) “I certify that the foregoing is a true copy”

Correct: B. “Subscribed and sworn before me” signals a jurat. “Acknowledged before me” signals an acknowledgment. The certificate language determines the act — “language is the key.” *(Manual pp. 25, 28)*

Question 18 *(oaths)*

What is the key distinction between an oath and an affirmation?

A) An oath must be administered with a hand on a Bible while an affirmation requires no physical gesture
B) An oath is legally binding while an affirmation is only a formal statement
C) An oath invokes a higher power while an affirmation does not, though both carry equal legal weight
D) An oath is used only for jurats while an affirmation is used only for credible witnesses

Correct: C. An oath invokes a supreme being; an affirmation does not. Both carry identical legal consequences — lying under either is perjury. A notary must offer an affirmation to any signer who objects to an oath. *(Manual pp. 29-30)*

Question 19 *(ID)*

A signer presents an unexpired driver license from another state. Is this acceptable identification for an Arizona notarization?

A) No, only Arizona and contiguous-state licenses are accepted
B) Yes, an unexpired driver license issued by any state or territory of the United States is acceptable
C) Yes, but only if accompanied by a second form of ID
D) No, only Arizona-issued driver licenses are accepted

Correct: B. An unexpired license from any U.S. state or territory qualifies — no second ID needed. *(Manual p. 17)*

Topic 4: Compliance & Misconduct

Question 20 *(penalties)*

What are the consequences for a notary who charges fees beyond what is authorized by statute?

A) A $100 fine per occurrence
B) A warning letter and requirement to refund the overcharge
C) Liability to the affected party for four times the amount of the excessive fee and a Class 5 felony charge
D) Automatic revocation of the notary commission

Correct: C. Under A.R.S. § 38-413, overcharging means liability of four times the excess fee — and a class 5 felony, with no intent-to-defraud requirement. *(Manual pp. 12, 24)*

Question 21 *(deadlines)*

A notary’s seal is lost or stolen. Within what timeframe must the notary notify the Secretary of State?

A) 90 days
B) 10 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days

Correct: B. A lost or stolen seal must be reported within 10 days. Do not confuse it with the 30-day deadline for address and name changes. *(Manual p. 9)*

Question 22 *(investigations)*

In what order does the notary misconduct investigation process proceed?

A) Attorney General’s Office investigates, then Secretary of State reviews, then written notice to the notary
B) Secretary of State receives the complaint, refers it to the Attorney General’s Office, the AG investigates and returns findings, the SOS takes action, and the notary receives written notice
C) Written notice to the notary, the notary responds, the Secretary of State investigates, the AG prosecutes
D) The Secretary of State investigates and decides, the AG appeals, the Governor makes the final determination

Correct: B. The five-step process runs from SOS complaint intake, to AG investigation, back to the SOS for action, to written notice. The investigation is confidential while pending. *(Manual p. 14)*

Question 23 *(exam requirement)*

Under A.R.S. § 41-270, which statement is correct regarding notary exam requirements?

A) The exam must be passed before submitting an application and is required for both initial commissions and renewals
B) The exam may be waived if the applicant has been commissioned in another state
C) The exam is optional but passing it reduces the commission processing time
D) The exam is only required for initial commission applications

Correct: A. The exam applies to new applicants and renewals alike — no waivers for experience or out-of-state commissions. *(Manual p. 14)*

Question 24 *(misconduct)*

The manual states that there is no such thing as a “minor” violation. What is the consequence of any violation of a notary’s duties?

A) Only violations involving money are enforced
B) Any violation is a failure to discharge duties and may result in refusal, revocation, or suspension of the commission
C) First-time violations always result in a warning letter only
D) Only felonies trigger commission action

Correct: B. Any violation counts. The Secretary of State may refuse to issue, revoke, or suspend a commission — there is no “minor” tier. *(Manual p. 13)*

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Frequently asked questions

Is the real Arizona notary exam open book?

Yes, and it matters. The Reference Manual is built into the exam interface as a searchable PDF. Physical copies and all outside materials are banned. Knowing the manual’s structure, and how to search it, is worth more than memorizing it.

What are the retake rules?

The current rule (in both the manual and azsos.gov): the exam “can be taken 3 times; after the 3rd fail you will be required to wait 30 days to reschedule.” (An older print of the manual carries the legacy Prometric rule: 30 days after any fail, one year after three.) The retake rule that applies to you is the one in force when you register, so check azsos.gov before scheduling. We cover the transition in detail in Prometric or Pearson VUE? The Arizona Exam Transition, Explained.

Is this free test enough to pass the real exam by itself?

Honestly: it’s a diagnostic, not a full preparation. It samples 24 of the 295 questions in our verified bank and covers the four core topic areas, but the real exam is 45 questions across the entire 66-page manual. Use this test to find your weak areas; then read the manual (free at azsos.gov), study those chapters, and take a full-length timed simulation before exam day.

Is this test aligned to the current manual edition?

Yes. Every question is keyed to the October 2026 Reference Manual (version 10/01/2026), which is the edition the current exam is drawn from, SB 1479’s thumbprint rule (effective September 12, 2026) included. We break it down in SB 1479: Arizona’s Thumbprint Rule, Explained.

Does Arizona require a training course?

No. The state requires an exam, not a course, and the State of Arizona does not designate an official trainer or endorse training companies. A course is preparation, not a requirement. Be wary of any company claiming official status.

Ready for the full-length simulation?

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