a. The provisions of this section do not apply to notaries public who are also licensed attorneys-at-law in this State.

b. A non-attorney applicant for an initial commission as a notary public pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1979, c.460 (C. 52:7-11) shall comply with all educational requirements that the State Treasurer shall set forth in rules adopted pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1969, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.). The State Treasurer shall prescribe and approve a course of study to foster and confirm applicants’ understanding of the principles and standards that govern notarial practices. Applicants shall be required to acknowledge that they have read and understood the Notary Public Manual and complete any other educational programs that the Treasurer may require.

c. A non-attorney applicant for renewal of a commission pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1979, c.460 (C. 52:7-11) who has previously completed the educational requirements required pursuant to subsection b. of this section at least one time, or who was commissioned for the first time before the effective date of P.L.2021, c.179 (C. 52:7-10.1 et al.) shall comply with any additional educational requirements that the State Treasurer sets forth in rules adopted pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1969, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.). The State Treasurer shall prescribe and approve a continuing education course for non-attorney applicants seeking a renewal of a commission pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1979, c.460 (C. 52:7-11).

d. The State Treasurer shall prescribe an application form and certificate of approval for any notary public course of study and any notary public continuing education course proposed by a provider. The State Treasurer may also provide a notary public course of study and continuing education course.

e. Any course of study developed pursuant to subsections b. and c. of this section may be given by the State Treasurer or by independent vendors.

f. The State Treasurer shall compile a list of all independent vendors offering an approved course of study and continuing education course pursuant to this section and shall provide the list on the website of the State Treasurer.

g. Any course of study for a non-attorney applicant for an initial commission shall cover the statutes, regulations, procedures, and ethics for notaries public as described in the manual issued by the State Treasurer, and shall include the duties and responsibilities of a notary public. The course of study may be provided by classroom instruction, by online instruction, or by any other method approved by the State Treasurer.

h. Any continuing education course for a non-attorney applicant for renewal of a commission shall cover topics which ensure maintenance and enhancement of skill, knowledge, and competency necessary to perform notarial acts. The continuing education course may be provided by online instruction, classroom instruction, or by any other method approved by the State Treasurer.

i. The Treasurer shall regularly assess the efficacy of the State’s notarial education program. The Treasurer shall adjust the program’s content as notarial technologies and processes evolve, and publish on the Treasury website, on or before September 30 each year, a report on the state of notary education in New Jersey. The report shall contain a summary of commissioning activity, an assessment regarding the need for new or changed educational content, and the estimated timelines for delivering the new or changed content.

L.2021, c.179, s.6.