Advanced Notary Certifications: Elevating Your Professional Standing
When you're first starting out as a notary, it’s all about the basics: getting your commission, figuring out your tools, and landing your first few appointments. But once you’re in the flow, a natural question comes up:
“How do I grow this into something bigger?”
The answer for many notaries is certification. Not just the required training, but advanced certifications that can help you build trust, increase your income, and confidently market yourself as a skilled professional.
But not all certifications are created equal. Some are absolutely worth the investment. Others... not so much.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the certifications that actually help you grow, what they require, and how they can move your business forward with purpose.
NNA Certified Notary Signing Agent (NSA)
If you're interested in loan signings, this is where most notaries begin. The NSA certification from the National Notary Association is the standard credential for working with lenders, title companies, and signing services.
What it requires:
A valid notary commission
Passing the NNA’s open-book certification exam
Annual background screening
Why it’s helpful:
Most signing platforms and hiring companies won’t even consider you until you have this certification. It’s often your gateway into consistent work and is essential if you want to get listed on platforms like Snapdocs or SigningOrder.
NNA LSA Certification ( This is the California Certification Link. Be sure to change your home state when starting)
Snapdocs
Notary2Pro Certification
If you’re looking for more personal training and lasting support, Notary2Pro might be a better fit. This certification focuses on helping new and growing notaries not just learn the work, but feel confident doing it.
What it requires:
Completion of a self-paced online course
A final exam
Optional mentorship and lifetime support
Why it’s helpful:
Founded by the late Carol Ray, Notary2Pro continues to offer detailed training and a truly supportive community. Many title companies prefer this certification because it reflects strong preparation and professionalism. And lifetime support? That’s rare and valuable.
Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent (CNTDA)
Want to branch out beyond loan signings? The Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent (CNTDA) program prepares you to present and notarize estate planning documents, such as living trusts, powers of attorney, and wills.
What it requires:
A valid notary commission
Completion of CNTDA training
Optional mentorship and practice modules
Why it’s helpful:
Estate planning appointments tend to be higher paying and more relationship-based. They’re not tied to the real estate market and often come through attorneys, financial planners, or directly from families. This is a powerful way to grow into a specialized, trusted service provider role.
Do Certifications Really Help You Grow?
Absolutely—when you choose them with purpose.
Advanced certifications can help you:
Build trust faster with potential clients
Qualify for more specialized and better-paying work
Clarify your niche or service focus
Confidently market your services with more credibility
They’re not magic wands—but they can open doors and give you a stronger platform to build your business.
Just remember: the key isn’t just earning them, it’s using them. Talk about them on your website, in your email signature, on your social media, and when networking. Certifications are tools—let them work for you.
Still Not Sure Which Path to Take?
If you’ve asked yourself all the right questions—
Who do I want to serve?
What kinds of appointments energize me?
Do I want steady volume or fewer high-touch clients?
What kind of business do I want long-term?
—And you still feel stuck in the weeds, you’re not alone. And you’re not without options.
Let me point you to one of the most helpful resources in the notary world:
Beyond Loan Signings by Laura Biewer and Bill Soroka.
This book is packed with ideas for how to use your commission in creative, sustainable, and profitable ways. It gives you clarity, direction, and a ton of real-world inspiration. If it’s not in your notary resource library yet... seriously, what are you waiting for? A notarized invitation?
And while we’re on the subject of books that can supercharge your business—
Jen Neitzel, of Marketing for Notaries, just released her first book: On the Move.
It’s the marketing book most notaries didn’t even know they needed—and now won’t want to go without. Practical, encouraging, and full of actionable strategies, it’s everything you wish had been handed to you on day one. Truly a game-changer.
Final Thoughts
Advanced certifications aren’t just about adding letters behind your name—they’re about deepening your knowledge, sharpening your confidence, and helping your clients feel that they’ve chosen the right notary for the job.
So whether you’re just getting started or feeling ready to expand, there’s a certification—or a resource—that can help you take the next step. Choose what fits your goals, invest in your growth, and don’t be afraid to step up your visibility.
And if you’d like help choosing your next move, building a marketing plan, or growing your notary business intentionally, I’ve got support ready when you are.
Coaching Discovery Call
Notary Resources
Let’s make this fall the season you stop playing small and start building the notary business you’ve been dreaming about.
And- If you're a California-based notary- be sure to check out our Notary Workshop: Learn, Connect, and Grow happening Saturday, October 18th in the Central Valley of California. If you want to learn more, check it out: https://www.centralcalnotarynetwork.com/events
