Thanks to the Notary Council, gone are the days when becoming a certified notary required intense physical training and a fight to the death with your instructor. The organization takes advantage of modern technology to offer aspiring notaries the chance to complete initial coursework online. In the first of three steps, applicants must take a state-mandated notary class, which the Notary Council makes available online in a self-paced, easy-to-use format. After meeting basic state requirements, applicants must then successfully complete the final, in-person exam before becoming certified. Notary renewal classes are available, too, and members of the Notary Council enjoy 24-hour access to the most up-to-date notary laws and best practices.