2021 Montana Code Annotated
Title 1. General Laws and Definitions
Chapter 5. Proof and Acknowledgment of Instruments Notaries Public
Part 6. Notarial Acts
1-5-620. Examination and education of notary public -- fee

1-5-620. Examination and education of notary public -- fee. (1) An applicant for a new or renewed commission as a notary public in this state shall pass an examination administered by the secretary of state or by an entity approved by the secretary of state. The examination must be based on the course of study described in subsection (2).

(2) The secretary of state or an entity approved by the secretary of state shall offer regularly a course of study to applicants for a new or renewed commission. The course must cover the laws, rules, procedures, and ethics relevant to notarial acts.

(3) On and after July 1, 2020, in addition to passing the examination:

(a) for a new commission, the applicant must have completed within the previous 12 months at least 4 hours of notary public education approved by the secretary of state or by the commission of continuing legal education;

(b) to renew a commission, an applicant must have completed:

(i) within the previous 12 months, at least 4 hours of notary public continuing education approved by the secretary of state or by the commission of continuing legal education; or

(ii) in each of the previous 3 years, at least 2 hours of notary public continuing education approved by the secretary of state or by the commission of continuing legal education.

(4) The secretary of state shall collect fees commensurate with the cost incurred by the secretary of state's office for providing notary public education and examination.

History: En. Sec. 17, Ch. 391, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 123, L. 2019.