Notary Public / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania Notary Public License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Authorized to perform notarizations. Commissioned in all 50 states.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for Notary Publics

Becoming a licensed notary public in Pennsylvania means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a background history check. Pennsylvania regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Varies".

Upfront cost is $75 on a 4-year cycle. Pennsylvania doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Pennsylvania handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

A-
Licensing Ease Score
83/100
Notary Public · Pennsylvania

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Varies
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Notary Public All Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Notary Public in Pennsylvania? ▼
In Pennsylvania, the license path calls for, a passing exam score, and a $75 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Notary Public in Pennsylvania? ▼
Certification as a notary public in Pennsylvania means clearing the state's checklist, and a passing exam score. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Notary Public license to Pennsylvania from another state? ▼
Out-of-state notary public credentials get a case-by-case review in Pennsylvania rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Pennsylvania licensing board.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Notary Public licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the notary public licensing process in Pennsylvania. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

Related Guides

What to do with this notary public license

Notary Public in Pennsylvania is one requirement row in a notary public-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Pennsylvania licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.