3.   Qualifications.

   a.   A person commissioned as a notary public in this State shall:
 
   (1)   be at the time of appointment at least 18 years of age;
 
   (2)   be at the time of appointment a legal resident of this State or have a place of employment or practice in this State; and
 
   (3)   not be disqualified to receive a commission under section 9 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-10.4 et al.).
 
   b.   A non-attorney applicant for an initial commission as a notary public shall provide satisfactory proof that the applicant has:
 
   (1)   completed a course of study approved by the State Treasurer pursuant to subsection b. of section 6 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-10.2); and
 
   (2)   passed an examination prescribed by the State Treasurer pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-10.3).
 
   c.   A non-attorney commissioned notary public applying to renew a commission who has satisfactorily completed a course of study required pursuant to subsection b. of section 6 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-10.2) 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 complete a continuing education course as set forth in subsection c. of section 6 of P.L.2021, c.179 (C.52:7-10.2) and provide satisfactory proof of such completion.
 
   L.1979, c.460, s.3; amended 2021, c.179, s.4.