TX Administrative Rules (2026)
Rule/Regulation
Effective: January 01, 2026
SummaryNew administrative rules adopted by the Texas Secretary of State implement the mandatory Notary and Online Notary education courses enacted by Senate Bill 693.
AffectsAmends Sections 87.13, 87.14, and 87.20 of, and adds Sections 87.5, 87.8, and 87.9 to, the Texas Administrative Code.
Changes
Notary Public Course
- Requires an applicant for a Notary Public commission to fulfill the education requirement under Government Code 406.006 before applying for appointment.
- Requires a Notary applying for reappointment to fulfill the continuing education requirement under Government Code 406.011 before applying for reappointment.
- Requires an applicant for appointment or reappointment to take a course not exceeding two hours that has been established and offered by the Secretary of State and successfully answer at least 70% of the questions presented during the course.
- Provides that if an applicant for appointment or reappointment is applying for a Notary Public commission, the applicant fulfills the education or continuing education requirement by taking a course and successfully answering questions on traditional Notary subject matter.
- Prohibits an applicant from completing a Notary education or continuing education course more than 3 times in a 3-month period.
Online Notary Public Course
- Provides that if an applicant is applying for an Online Notary Public commission, the applicant fulfills the education requirement by taking the Online Notary education course and successfully answering questions on the course.
- Provides that if an applicant is applying for renewal of an Online Notary Public commission, the applicant fulfills the continuing education requirement by taking the Online Notary continuing education course and successfully answering questions on the course.
Notary and Online Notary Course Fees
- Establishes a $20 nonrefundable fee for the initial Notary education and continuing education course, payable to the Secretary of State.
- Requires an applicant for appointment or reappointment to pay the Notary or Online Notary course fee specified in Texas Administrative Code 87.5(a) and (b) before fulfilling the course requirement.
- Requires an applicant to pay a separate course fee each time the applicant takes a course.
- Requires an applicant for appointment or reappointment to take the Notary or Online Notary initial or continuing education course within 90 days of paying the course fee.
- Provides that failure to take the initial or continuing education course within 90 days of payment will result in forfeiture of the course fee and further clarifies that any course completed after 90 days has expired will not fulfill the course requirement.
- Requires an applicant for appointment or reappointment who fails to complete the course within 90 days to pay a new fee to retake the Notary or Online Notary course.
Proof of Course Completion and Payment
- Requires an applicant for a Notary Public or an Online Notary Public commission, including an applicant who is an officer or employee of a state agency, to submit proof that the applicant has successfully completed the Notary education course required by Government Code 406.006(6) with the application for a commission within one year preceding the date of submitting the application.
- Requires applicants to submit proof of payment of the Notary education course fee required by Texas Administrative Code 87.5.
Analysis
Senate Bill 693, effective September 1, 2025, required the Texas Secretary of State to adopt rules by January 1, 2026, establishing requirements for initial Notary Public and Online Notary Public appointment and continuing education courses. These administrative rules do just that. The new rules apply to Notary or Online Notary appointment and reappointment applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026.