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FAQ: California NNA Notary seminars moving online


Due to California state restrictions on large indoor gatherings due to COVID-19, many people — both new and renewing Notaries — have been unable to schedule mandatory state training and exams to renew their commissions. To address this urgent need, the NNA is converting our scheduled California live seminars into online training webinars that meet all state requirements so they can be attended remotely by Notaries safely without risk of contracting COVID-19.

We know California Notaries have many questions about this change. Here’s what you need to know:

How will these online California Notary training webinars be presented?

California has approved the NNA to offer mandatory 6-hour live Notary training online using Zoom. If you are registered for a training seminar, you will be e-mailed the link to access the Zoom webinar the day before your training is scheduled to take place. You will be able to listen to the instructor, ask questions and be answered live in real time through Zoom, the same way as at our traditional Notary seminars. 

What about my LiveScan and Notary exam?

Notary exams and LiveScan fingerprinting will take place at a designated location a few days after you complete your online training webinar. After your training webinar is finished, you will need to complete an online submission form that will be sent to you immediately afterward. Within 48 hours of completing the form you will be emailed a Proof Of Completion (POC) that you will need to print and take with you to the exam location. Social distancing and health safety rules such as wearing masks will be required at exam sites.

New and renewing Notaries who wish to schedule their own LiveScan appointments separately should be aware that some LiveScan locations, such as police stations, are closed to the public due to COVID-19. 

If I’ve already signed up for a NNA California live seminar, can I attend an online seminar instead?

Yes. If you’ve already purchased a live seminar, the NNA will email you to let you know when an online seminar is available instead. You will have the option of attending the date of the new online webinar or alternate days if you cannot attend the first one.

If I’m not already signed up, when should I schedule my online training, exam and LiveScan?

Because exam space is limited and scheduled locations and times are filling up quickly, the NNA recommends that you schedule your training and exams as soon as possible.  For renewing Notaries, it’s a good idea to start the renewal process as soon as possible to avoid gaps in your commission because processing times at the Secretary of State’s office may be impacted by upcoming elections this fall.

I don’t want to take my training through Zoom. Do you have any other options?

At present, you can sign up for either our live Zoom webinars, which can be completed in one day, or our Online Training Course, which is not live but can be completed at a pace chosen by the Notary.

We will offer live training again when the state gives us permission to do so, but at this time we do not have a firm date when that will take place.

Where can I get more information about NNA online training webinars for California?

If you have questions that aren’t addressed above, please post them in the comments section below. Please be aware that some questions may take additional time for a response.

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41 Comments

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Bette Lyn Feldman

17 Aug 2020

Am I to understand that there are no live training for renewing notaries and we need to go on zoom for the renewing seminar. I was planning to go to Culver City to a live renewing seminar in October. Also will be there any live scan locations in Culver City or West Los Angeles in October or November.

National Notary Association

17 Aug 2020

Hello. Correct, the live seminar will be changing to a Zoom webinar. We’ll be emailing attendees with the details. The exam will still take place on the original seminar date, and live scan and photos will be available there.

Ann Marie Murphy

17 Aug 2020

Will a seminar workbook be provided for Notary training through Zoom? Thank you.

National Notary Association

17 Aug 2020

Hello. Yes, the seminar workbook will be mailed so you can follow along. If there is a mail delay, we can email a PDF of the workbook.

Mike McCarthy

17 Aug 2020

Could you please place samples of Zoom training and samples of the Online training course on your website. It will help me better decide which offers the most retainability for the exam. Thank you

Kerrie Cortez

17 Aug 2020

My commission has been extended for 6 months (April 2021). Is it safe to wait until after the first of the year to work on my renewal?

National Notary Association

17 Aug 2020

Hello, great question! Great question! We would advise you to start early. Offering our training via Zoom means that there are plenty of training seats available, but exams at this point are limited, and it’s hard to say what the landscape will look like in the new year. CPS also has limited availability for exams due to restrictions in seating capacity and availability in locations.

Caroline Green

17 Aug 2020

I am scheduled to take my exam in person on October 10 th in Chatsworth. Is that seminar being transferred to a Zoom training and if so where will I do my Livescan and exam?

National Notary Association

18 Aug 2020

Hello. The seminar will be changed to a Zoom webinar; please be on the lookout for the instructions via email approximately one week ahead of time. The exam will still take place on Oct 10, where the live scan and photos will take place.

Emma Jane Martin-Heras

17 Aug 2020

m bearly reading the email from NNA regarding the live Zomm class today! I was supposed to take the class and exam in two days, August 19! I don't want to miss the date... can I join the zoom meeting now?

National Notary Association

17 Aug 2020

Hello. Please contact our Customer Care team as soon as possible at 1-800-876-6827 to ask about scheduling for the August 19 class. If you are unable to attend the next upcoming webinar, there may be alternate dates available coming up you can re-schedule for instead.

Sherri Romo

17 Aug 2020

I was scheduled in July but class was cancelled. When will I be contacted about rescheduling? If we do zoom or online training, is the test at the end or will I need to go to a testing center?

National Notary Association

18 Aug 2020

Hello Sherri, sorry for any inconvenience. Someone from the NNA seminar team will contact you to re-schedule for a new class. Due to restrictions imposed at that time, we had to cancel the July class.

T. Hill

17 Aug 2020

Hi .... my Commission expired about 10yrs ago. I would like to become a Notary again. Will I have start again as a new notary and get a new Commission number, or will the commission number that I have be reactivated? How do I start again?

National Notary Association

18 Aug 2020

Hello. You will need to apply for a new Notary commission. You can contact our Customer Care team at 1-800-876-6827 and one of our representatives can help you start the process.

Shirley

21 Aug 2020

My commission expires in March. What is the latest date I should schedule my training?

National Notary Association

24 Aug 2020

Hello. Because available spaces for exams are filling up very quickly, we recommend scheduling your training and exam as soon as possible; at least six months before the date your commission expires. Due to COVID-19 government office closures and the upcoming November elections, processing of Notary commissions may be delayed in California, so we strongly recommend starting your renewal as soon as possible.

Patricia

19 Sep 2020

I took the exam in February 2020 and I passed. I never got my results I am assuming due to Covid-19. I went and did the life scan in June of 2020. It is now mid September 2020 and I have not heard anything, been waiting for my notary commissions package. What to I do?

National Notary Association

23 Sep 2020

Hello. If you applied through the NNA, please call our Customer Care team at 1-800-876-6827 to request assistance. Otherwise, you will need to contact your state Notary regulating agency directly to ask about the status of your application.

danielle.d.calloway@gmail.com

19 Oct 2020

I signed up for the live webinar training scheduled for Oct. 19, 2020 @ 8:30AM but have yet to receive the zoom link to register and need a PDF copy of the workbook. I've been trying to contact you by phone but hold times are longer than usual.

National Notary Association

19 Oct 2020

Hello, Danielle. We've forwarded your message to the seminar team and asked them to contact you as soon as possible to help you resolve this issue. We apologize for any issues you've encountered.

Pam Orchard

27 Oct 2020

Hello, I have not received my seminar workbook and my seminar is tomorrow @8:30AM. Do I need to reschedule my seminar?

National Notary Association

29 Oct 2020

Hello. You can email seminars@nationalnotary.org and the seminar team can send you an electronic copy to use until the hardcopy arrives.

Heather

02 Nov 2020

Hi! I took the online training, do I need to take the zoom seminar training as well? My employer registered me for a seminar and exam for tomorrow, but I am assuming the training is online now? Is my exam tomorrow because I already did an online training or do I have a zoom webinar tomorrow?

National Notary Association

02 Nov 2020

Hello. You can email seminars@nationalnotary.org to ask for assistance in looking up your seminar status.

Eva Flores

02 Nov 2020

I tried to log onto zoom and it gave me messags saying "please wait for host to start meeting", then it listed me as the host and in my own personal room. I am thorougly frustrated with this process. How can I reschedule a zoom class? i've tried support thru Zoom and have been on hold forever with NNA...

National Notary Association

02 Nov 2020

Hello. Please email seminars@nationalnotary.org and someone should be able to assist you.

hyewon8803@gmail.com

09 Nov 2020

Hello, I already finished my 6 hours course from other website and took the test about 2month ago. I did not pass the exam. I want to take the zoom live training class one more time to pass the test. after taking the zoom live class, can I take the exam in few days? Is it the same location and time as notary.cpshr.us? or you guys have other exam date and location? Thank you :)

National Notary Association

10 Nov 2020

Hello. You will need to register for another Zoom class. You can find the schedule of upcoming CA seminars here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/california/become-a-notary/required-training?zip=90210&sort=date

Kathy Moore

13 Dec 2020

Hi once I take the 6 hour course how long can I wait to take the test ? Cause online it says next available date is Jan 16 can I take course today and test in January

National Notary Association

15 Dec 2020

Hello! Yes, you may take the course and then schedule the test for January.

Louise Longley

01 Feb 2021

I was scheduled to take the training and exam for my renewal last March. The pandemic shutdown prevented that. The California Governor's Executive Order N-63-20 allowed me to continue to use my commission after it expired, July 23, 2020. I have since taken the training online, but I am 78 and have not wanted to take the exam in a big group, even with social distancing and masks.. The original extension is now expired. Since the pandemic emergency continues with even more urgency, has the governor extended the N-63-20 extension?

National Notary Association

02 Feb 2021

Hello. At this time, the Governor has not extended Notary commissions further in California.

fayth

17 Oct 2021

if i don’t complete my course within the 6 hours will it expire??

National Notary Association

21 Oct 2021

Hello. Just to clarify, are you referring to the CA online course?

Claudia

05 Apr 2022

I just completed my training, but I can’t find where to schedule for my exam. Can you please help?

National Notary Association

07 Apr 2022

Hello. Please contact our Customer Care team at services@nationalnotary.org and they should be able to assist you.

Myron Evans

21 Nov 2022

I would like to sign up for the online course

National Notary Association

30 Nov 2022

Hello. You can find more information here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/california/become-a-notary/required-training

alec101man@gmail.com

20 Mar 2023

Hello, How do I access the 6 hour class if I've already completed the exam?

National Notary Association

22 May 2023

Hello! Our Customer Care team will contact you to assist.

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