Chapter 4 of 518% of exam
Commission, No-Bond Rule, and the Exam
Qualifying for and keeping a Colorado commission: eligibility, the fact that Colorado requires no bond, the four-year term, and the free online exam.
Eligibility and term
Colorado sets basic qualifications and a fixed term the notary must renew.
An applicant must be at least 18 and able to read and write English.
The applicant must reside in Colorado or have a primary place of employment or practice in the state.
The commission is valid for four years.
Citizenship and property ownership are not required.
No bond required
Colorado differs from many states by not requiring a surety bond.
Colorado does not require a notary to file a surety bond.
The notary remains personally liable for misconduct despite the absence of a bond.
Errors-and-omissions insurance is optional but often recommended.
The free online exam
Colorado's exam and training are free and delivered by the Secretary of State.
Training and the exam are free and online through the Secretary of State's eLearning system.
The exam is open-book, and 80% is required to pass.
The exam certificate is valid for 90 days, within which the applicant must apply for the commission.
Open-book success still depends on knowing the handbook.