CSLB General Building (B) Trade Practice Test
Frequently asked questions
How many California Notary Public practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original California Notary Public practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the California Notary Public exam like?+
About 100 questions, and you need 70% to pass. Practice by topic here, then take the full timed mock exam to gauge readiness.
Are these the real exam questions?+
No. Every question is 100% original, written from public primary sources with explanations. We never copy real exam questions or paid prep material.
Can I study in Chinese or Spanish?+
PrepPass practice is in English, 中文 and Español. The official exam is in English — switch the question language to English any time to rehearse the exact terminology you'll see on test day.
Sample practice questions
A few real questions from this free bank, with full explanations. Use the practice tool above for the whole set.
- 1. Duties & Powers
What is the required amount of a California notary public's official bond?
- a.$10,000
- b.$15,000
- c.$25,000
- d.$100,000
Answer: b
Explanation: California Government Code §8212 requires every notary to file a $15,000 bond. The bond protects members of the public who are harmed by the notary's misconduct, not the notary personally. A notary who is sued on the bond must reimburse the surety.
Source: CA Government Code §8212
- 2. Duties & Powers
May a California notary notarize his or her own signature?
- a.No, a notary can never notarize his or her own signature
- b.Yes, if the notary is a party to the document
- c.Yes, if a witness is present
- d.Yes, for real property documents only
Answer: a
Explanation: A notary may never notarize their own signature because the notary cannot impartially verify their own identity and act. Doing so is a prohibited act that can lead to discipline and revocation of the commission.
Source: CA Government Code §8214.1
- 3. Duties & Powers
If an employer pays for a notary's commission, seal, and journal, who owns the journal?
- a.The employer
- b.The county clerk
- c.The notary, who must keep and control the journal personally
- d.The Secretary of State
Answer: c
Explanation: Regardless of who pays the costs, the notary personally owns and controls the sequential journal and seal. The employer may not keep the journal, and the notary must take the journal upon leaving the job.
Source: CA Government Code §8206
- 4. Notarial Acts
What is a key difference between a jurat and an acknowledgment?
- a.A jurat requires the signer to sign in the notary's presence and take an oath; an acknowledgment does not require an oath
- b.There is no difference
- c.An acknowledgment requires an oath but a jurat does not
- d.A jurat can be done by mail
Answer: a
Explanation: For a jurat, the signer must sign in front of the notary and swear or affirm to the truth of the document. For an acknowledgment, the signer need only acknowledge a prior signature and takes no oath.
Source: CA Government Code §8202
- 5. Notarial Acts
When a signer executes a document with a mark (such as an X) instead of a signature, what does California require?
- a.Nothing extra
- b.The notary signs for the person
- c.Two witnesses: the signer makes the mark, one witness writes the signer's name near the mark, and both witnesses sign the notary journal
- d.The document must be rejected
Answer: c
Explanation: For a signature by mark, the signer makes the mark, one witness writes the signer's name beside it, and a second witness observes. Both witnesses also sign the notary's journal, allowing a person who cannot write to execute a document.
Source: CA Civil Code §14
- 6. Notarial Acts
Why is direct communication between the notary and the signer important?
- a.The notary must be able to identify the signer and confirm willingness without a translator acting as intermediary
- b.So the notary can translate the document
- c.To set the fee
- d.It is not important
Answer: a
Explanation: The notary must communicate directly with the signer to verify identity, awareness, and willingness. Relying on a third-party translator introduces risk of miscommunication or coercion, so the notary should decline if direct communication is impossible.
Source: CA Civil Code §1185
- 7. Identification
Which of the following is an acceptable identification document in California?
- a.A Social Security card
- b.A birth certificate
- c.A credit card
- d.A current California driver's license or DMV-issued ID card
Answer: d
Explanation: A current California driver's license or state ID card issued by the DMV is a primary acceptable ID. Social Security cards, birth certificates, and credit cards are not acceptable because they lack the required photo, signature, and description.
Source: CA Civil Code §1185
- 8. Identification
May a person with a direct financial interest in the transaction serve as a credible witness?
- a.Yes, always
- b.No; a credible witness must have no financial interest and not be named in the document
- c.Yes, for jurats
- d.Only if related to the signer
Answer: b
Explanation: A credible witness must be disinterested—having no financial interest in the transaction and not being named in the document. This impartiality protects the integrity of the identification.
Source: CA Civil Code §1185
- 9. Journal & Seal
Which of the following must appear on a California notary seal?
- a.The State Seal, the words 'Notary Public,' the notary's name, the county, the commission number, and the commission expiration date
- b.The notary's home address
- c.The notary's photo
- d.The employer's logo
Answer: a
Explanation: The seal must show the California State Seal, the words 'Notary Public,' the notary's name, the county where the bond is filed, the commission number, and the commission expiration date. It must be a fixed, legible stamp.
Source: CA Government Code §8207
- 10. Liability & Law
What is the maximum fee a California notary may charge for taking an acknowledgment, per signature?
- a.$10
- b.$15
- c.$25
- d.$50
Answer: b
Explanation: Government Code §8211 sets the maximum fee for an acknowledgment at $15 per signature. Charging more than the statutory maximum is unlawful and can subject the notary to discipline.
Source: CA Government Code §8211