HLS 14RS-967 ENGROSSED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 243
BY REPRESENTATIVE BARRAS
NOTARIES: Authorizes the appointment of notaries public based on a pre-assessment test
administered by the secretary of state
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 35:191(C)(2) and to enact R.S. 35:191(C)(3), relative to notaries2
public; to provide for the administration of a pre-assessment test; to provide for the3
qualification to take the pre-assessment test; to provide for exceptions; and to4
provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 35:191(C)(2) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.7
35:191(C)(3) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 8
ยง191. Appointment; qualifications; examination9
* * *10
C. Each applicant, otherwise qualified, may be appointed a notary public in11
and for a parish upon meeting all of the following conditions:12
* * *13
(2)(a) Taking a pre-assessment test, with no minimum score required,14
administered by the secretary of state to assess the probability of the applicant15
passing the examination as provided in R.S. 35:191.1.16
(b) To qualify to take the pre-assessment test, the applicant shall have17
satisfied all requirements to be commissioned as a notary public in the parish, except18
for passing the examination as provided in R.S. 35:191.1.19 HLS 14RS-967 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 243
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(c) The pre-assessment test provided by this Paragraph shall be dispensed1
with if the applicant has been duly admitted to practice law in this state or holds a2
valid notarial commission in this state.3
(3)(a) Taking and passing a written examination, as provided in R.S.4
35:191.1, administered by the secretary of state.5
(b)(i) The notary examination shall be given twice per year on the first6
Saturday of June and December. Should the scheduled Saturday be a state holiday,7
then the next non-holiday Saturday shall be the test date.8
(ii) To qualify to be examined, the candidate shall have satisfied all9
requirements to be commissioned as a notary public in the parish, except for passing10
the examination.11
(iii) The qualified candidate shall be permitted to register for any notary12
public examinations administered by the secretary of state within one year after the13
date the secretary of state notifies the candidate of his approval to take the14
examination. No further application fee shall be required during this period. The15
required examination fee, however, shall be paid for each examination.16
(c) The examination provided for in this Paragraph shall be dispensed with17
if the applicant has been duly admitted to practice law in this state or holds a valid18
notarial commission in this state.19
* * *20
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not21
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature22
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If23
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become24
effective on the day following such approval.25 HLS 14RS-967 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 243
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Barras HB No. 243
Abstract: Adds the requirement of taking a pre-assessment test administered by the
secretary of state in order to qualify as a notary public.
Present law requires, as a prerequisite to being commissioned as a notary public, the taking
and passing of a written examination, as provided in R.S. 35:191.1, administered by the
secretary of state.
Present law provides the times for administering the notary examination and the
qualifications for the candidate.
Present law provides an exemption from the requirement to take the examination for
applicants admitted to practice law.
Proposed law retains present law and requires that an applicant take a pre-assessment test
administered by the secretary of state.
Proposed law provides that in order to qualify to take the pre-assessment test, the applicant
shall have satisfied all requirements to be commissioned as a notary public in the parish,
except for passing the examination as provided by R.S. 35:191.1.
Proposed law exempts from the pre-assessment test an applicant who is admitted to practice
law or who holds a valid notarial commission in this state.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 35:191(C)(2); Adds R.S. 35:191(C)(3))