Examination of notary public and notarial officers;

continuing legal education requirements for automatic notarial officers. A. An applicant for a commission as a notary public who does not hold a commission in this state is required to pass an examination administered by the secretary of state or an entity approved by the secretary of state. The examination will be based on the course of study described in Subsection B of this section. B. The secretary of state or an entity approved by the secretary of state shall offer regularly a course of study to applicants who do not hold commissions as notaries public in this state. The course must cover the laws, rules, procedures and ethics relevant to notarial acts. C. A person qualified to be an automatic notarial officer is required to attend a course, not to exceed ninety minutes, delivered by the secretary of state or an entity approved by the secretary of state. The course may be delivered in person or online. Attendance in the course is required before the person's seal may be registered with the secretary of state, and attendees shall demonstrate an understanding of the course material. The course shall cover laws, rules, procedures and ethics relevant to being an automatic notarial officer. D. An automatic notarial officer may obtain continuing legal education credit, pursuant to rules established by the board of bar commissioners of the state of New Mexico, for participating in continuing legal education related to performing the notarial acts.