Just thought I’d mention, I was having trouble purchasing the exam on line. I renewed with NNA earlier this month, there are two platforms that require it to get work, so I signed up again for membership. When I went back online to buy the exam - JOT - First American requires proof of passing the exam to stay active - the purchase wouldn’t go through.
I think maybe related to not buying any package deal when I renewed membership, I’m not sure. My bank is also really picky about what website I use my debit card at. Many flag as fraud.
The online shop had the exam listed at $65.00. Debit card didn’t work, so I called the NNA to buy it through customer service and when I did it cost $14.00 not $65.
I have no idea why except again, I have purchased things individually at NNA not by package. I will renew my notary certificate direct with the state because that’s cheaper as well.
Just thought I’d suggest that when you buy the exam - call. Don’t do it online. For active members it’s just $14.
I wish I had seen this yesterday. I ended up paying 117 for the exam and background check (which are not due until April). I am an active member until 2026.
You wanted the online NSA exam to renew but not the annual background check?
Also, did you notice NNA has updated its NSA exam? Finally! Now it is all based on scenarios in the SPW Notary Signing Agent Code of Conduct and Signing Presentation Guidelines. But no portion of the exam where you are handling sample loan documents. I guess they assume we already know it. But why assume that and not assume we already know their COC and SPG?
I had to get the background check in August. Then I had a SS tell me I had to be an active member of NNA to get orders so I renewed my membership first of January. Then JOT said I had to be NSA certified with the exam to get orders so I did that separate.
Several sites including NNA have been trying to get me to renew my commission through their site but I can go through the state licensing board and pay less and renew my bond. I’ll renew my E & O direct with that company because I bought it direct.
And everyone says you must have 100K to get orders - that isn’t true. The state requires 25K E & O and as long as I have the state required I get orders.
The exam was so easy. I mean they say download these guides so it’s open book. But I didn’t need open book. It was very easy.
And if everything expires in different months - expenses are easier to control - so to me it’s no big deal to do it that way. New notaries should be aware that buying the package deals is not required and doesn’t necessarily save you money. I buy my stamps direct from a website as well that always provides discount coupons. So I do pieces parts as it suits me.
The guy at the FedEx Shipping Center taught me how to take the ink pad out of my stamps and reink them. THAT will save me a TON of money. Living in the desert they dry out pretty fast.
OK now I understand. I renew my notary commission directly with Washington notary commission. But I do my annual recurrent training and background check online with NNA.
YES, EASY! It is all pretty much common sense. And would have been able to get through it even faster if I could fast-forward through the questions LOL
WA State wants you to be 120 days from expiration which is why NNA and everyone started pestering me in December. Recurrent training? Never have taken additional training. Just free stuff from various sources.
@slcaldwell201 The Background Check [BGC] ordered through the For-Profit business organization listed in the title of this thread utilizes the Backgrounds Online company for their BGCs.
If you perform a Google search that company, their Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] section identifies the usual turnaround time for a standard BGC along with many other answers to common questions.
The NNA training and exam is open book but it usually isn’t required. The commission exam is not open book and has many ambiguous questions that aren’t covered in the training or notary manuals. We are not permitted to discuss specific questions however, a good portion of the exam I took in October had questions regarding fines and punishments. That is a reminder that in addition to the long hours, stress, and poor pay, we can also get in trouble.
My BG took 4 days including Sat & Sun. I submitted it at 2:15a.m on 2/1/2025, I received it back mid day on Wed 02/05/2025. I don’t know if Sat & Sun had any bearings on the time.
BINGO!