Course of Study and Examination

Section 176.205  Course of Study and Examination a)         Beginning January 1, 2024, applicants seeking a commission as either a notary public or an electronic notary public must first successfully complete a course of study and acquire a passing score on the examination, as required by 5 ILCS 312/2-101.5. The applicant will have two years from the date of the examination to apply for a notary public or electronic notary public commission.  Once the course of study and examination have been successfully completed and the commission has been issued, the certificate or other proof of successful completion of the course of study and examination will remain valid for the duration of the notary's four-year commission. b)         The Secretary of State may authorize the provision of a course of study for the mandatory training of notaries public and electronic notaries public by qualified third parties subject to this Subpart. c)         To be accepted by the Secretary, the course of study must be taught by a provider or instructor certified by the Secretary. d)         The course of study and examination must consist of the instruction and questions identified in Section 176.225. e)         In accordance with Section 2-101.5(c) of the Act, licensed attorneys in good standing with the ARDC, current Illinois court or federal court judges, or applicants that are employed by a licensed attorney in good standing with the ARDC or an Illinois or federal court who are renewing their Notary Public commission are not required to complete a course of study or pass an examination, if the applicant submits a signed statement using a form designated by the Secretary of State indicating the applicant is a licensed attorney in good standing with the ARDC, current Illinois court or federal judge, or employed by a licensed attorney in good standing with the ARDC or an Illinois or federal court and that applicant has read and understood the version of the Act in effect at the time of application.