Texas SB693 Explained: The New Notary Education and Exam Requirements for 2026

Senate Bill 693 (SB693), passed by the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025, created the first-ever mandatory education and examination requirement for Texas notary public applicants. The law took effect on January 1, 2026. Before SB693, Texas was one of the few states with no education or testing requirement for notaries. Anyone who met the basic eligibility requirements could apply for a commission without proving any knowledge of notary law or procedures.

SB693 applies to: - All new notary applicants applying on or after January 1, 2026 - All existing notaries renewing their commission after January 1, 2026 SB693 does NOT apply to: - Notaries who were appointed before September 1, 2025 (until they renew) This means that if you currently hold a Texas notary commission that was issued before September 1, 2025, you do not need to complete the education or exam until your commission comes up for renewal.

SB693 requires all affected applicants to complete a mandatory education course with these specifications: - Maximum duration: 2 hours - Format: Instructional videos covering basic notary practices - Provider: ONLY the Texas Secretary of State This last point is critical and catches many people off guard. Private companies, online course providers, and third-party educators are NOT authorized to provide the required education. You must complete the course directly through the SOS Notary Portal. NotaryExamPro and similar prep tools are supplemental — they help you study, but do not replace the SOS course.

After completing the education course, you must pass an assessment with these specifications: - Number of questions: 20 multiple choice - Passing score: 70% (14 out of 20) - Fee: $20 per attempt (non-refundable) - Retakes: Up to 3 times within a 3-month period - Source material: The four required instructional videos - Access: Through the SOS Notary Portal The exam covers all major notary topics including notarial acts, fees, seal requirements, record keeping, identification, prohibited acts, and the new penalties introduced by SB693.

SB693 introduced significant new criminal penalties for notary misconduct. Key changes include: - Notarizing without personal appearance of the signer is now a criminal offense - Failure to maintain a record book can be grounds for commission revocation - The 10-year record retention requirement is now strictly enforced - Fraudulent notarization carries enhanced penalties These penalties make it more important than ever for Texas notaries to understand and follow proper procedures.

Since the exam is based entirely on the SOS instructional videos, your primary study material is those four videos. However, supplemental preparation can significantly improve your chances of passing on the first attempt: 1. Watch each SOS video at least twice, taking notes on key facts and numbers 2. Memorize exact fees: $10 first signature acknowledgment, $1 additional, $10 oath, etc. 3. Study the record book requirements — the entries required are detailed and often tested 4. Understand the difference between acknowledgments and jurats 5. Practice with AI-generated questions that mirror the 20-question format 6. Pay special attention to the new SB693 provisions since they are likely to be tested heavily Remember: 70% means you can only miss 6 out of 20 questions. Adequate preparation is essential.