Free Tennessee State-Required Online Notary Education and Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Tennessee State-Required Online Notary Education and Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Tennessee notary has a regular commission but no additional online commission. May the notary complete a remote online notarization?

   1. A. Yes, if the principal consents
   2. B. Yes, if the document is electronic
   3. C. No, an online commission is also required
   4. D. No, unless a county clerk attends

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The rule states, “An online notarization may not be performed by an individual who has not been commissioned as an online notary public by the Department of State.” The regular commission alone is insufficient.

   Reference: Tn Hb1794 Online Notary Act — Rule 1360-07-03-.01(1), page 1

2. 2What does credential analysis do under Tennessee's Online Notary Public Act?

   1. A. Affirms a government credential's validity through public and proprietary data
   2. B. Determines whether the document is legally advisable
   3. C. Calculates the notary's commission fee
   4. D. Confirms the principal's willingness through a recorded oath

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Credential analysis is a process through which “a third person affirms the validity of a government-issued identification credential through review of public and proprietary data sources.”

   Reference: Tn Hb1794 Online Notary Act — T.C.A. § 8-16-302(2), page 2

3. 3What consequence follows when the Secretary of State determines that an online notary failed to comply with the governing online-notary regulations?

   1. A. A warning is the only permitted response
   2. B. The commission must be terminated
   3. C. The commission automatically converts to a paper-only license
   4. D. The county clerk sets a new fee

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Rule 1360-07-03-.08 provides that the Secretary of State “shall terminate the commission” upon such noncompliance.

   Reference: Tn Hb1794 Online Notary Act — Rule 1360-07-03-.08, page 9

4. 4Which transaction falls within Tennessee's Online Notary Public Act?

   1. A. A paper acknowledgment performed face-to-face
   2. B. A notarial act performed through compliant two-way video and audio technology
   3. C. Electronic filing by a county register
   4. D. A witness signing a paper affidavit by mail

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The Act describes “a notarial act performed by means of two-way” communication using “video and audio conference technology.” Those quoted elements describe option B.

   Reference: Tn Hb1794 Online Notary Act — T.C.A. § 8-16-302(10)

5. 5How does Tennessee's Online Notary Public Act define identity proofing?

   1. A. A third party affirms an individual's identity using public and proprietary data
   2. B. A notary confirms only that the electronic seal is current
   3. C. A county clerk verifies the notary's bond
   4. D. A principal certifies the document's legal effect

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Identity proofing is a process “through which a third person affirms the identity of an individual through review of personal information in public and proprietary data sources.”

   Reference: Tn Hb1794 Online Notary Act — T.C.A. § 8-16-302(8)

6. 6Which session condition must the principal personally demonstrate to the online notary's satisfaction?

   1. A. Freedom from duress or coercion
   2. B. Successful credential analysis and identity proofing
   3. C. Presentation of an unexpired credential
   4. D. Security of the audio-video transmission

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The notary must require the principal to demonstrate “that such person is not under duress and is not otherwise being coerced to complete the transaction.” Option A is the condition personally demonstrated.

   Reference: Tn Online Notary Rules 1360 07 03 — Rule 1360-07-03-.03(3), page 3

7. 7For the Tennessee Online Notary Public Act, what counts as a personal appearance?

   1. A. Only physical presence
   2. B. Only a recorded video message
   3. C. Physical presence or compliant interactive two-way audio-video communication
   4. D. A telephone call or emailed identification

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The Act says appearance means either “Appearing physically before a notary public” or appearing through compliant “interactive two-way audio and video communication.”

   Reference: Tn Public Chapter 931 2018 Online Notary Act — T.C.A. § 8-16-302(1), pages 1-2

8. 8Which method may a Tennessee online notary use instead of remote credential analysis and identity proofing to identify a principal?

   1. A. Personal knowledge of the principal
   2. B. A witness's unsigned email
   3. C. The document's file name
   4. D. A vendor's invoice

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The rule says, “Identity may be verified by the online notary public’s personal knowledge of the principal, or by” the prescribed remote process. Personal knowledge is therefore the permitted alternative.

   Reference: Tn Online Notary Rules 1360 07 03 — Rule 1360-07-03-.03(4), page 3

9. 9When may a Tennessee online notary refuse an act because of concerns about the principal's free will?

   1. A. When the notary has reasonable grounds to believe coercion or undue influence exists
   2. B. Only after a court issues an injunction
   3. C. Whenever the principal asks about the fee
   4. D. Only when the principal is outside Tennessee

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The rule authorizes refusal when the notary “has reasonable grounds to believe that the principal is acting under coercion or undue influence.” That is option A.

   Reference: Tn Online Notary Rules 1360 07 03 — Rule 1360-07-03-.03(3), page 3

10. 10A file is generated, transmitted, and stored digitally. How does Tennessee's Online Notary Public Act classify it?

    1. A. Electronic document
    2. B. Electronic seal
    3. C. Credential analysis
    4. D. Remote presentation

    Answer: A

    Explanation: An electronic document is “information that is created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.”

    Reference: changed the MaxPageS — T.C.A. § 47-10-118