(b) The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Applicant—An individual who seeks appointment or renewal of appointment to the office of notary public.

Appoint or appointment—The naming of an individual to the office of notary public after determination that the individual has complied with 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a) and (b) (relating to appointment and commission as notary public; qualifications; no immunity or benefit) and Subchapter B (relating to qualifications for appointment and commission), but prior to the individual complying with 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(c), (d), (d.1) and (d.2). The term includes initial appointment as well as renewal of appointment and commission.

Appointee—An individual who has been appointed or reappointed to the office of notary public but who has not yet recorded the bond, oath of office and commission in compliance with 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(d.2)(1) or (2).

Certificate of education—A certificate issued by an education provider under § 167.95 (relating to certificate of education) signifying that the person named therein has successfully completed the approved education program provided by the provider.

Department—The Department of State of the Commonwealth.

Direct or pecuniary interest—An interest in the transaction or record that results in actual or potential gain or advantage, financial or otherwise, other than receiving a regular salary, hourly wage or notarial fee. A regular salary or hourly wage includes bonuses, provided the bonus is not related to or contingent upon the completion of the notarized transaction.

Electronic notarization—The performance of notarial acts with respect to electronic records using tamper-evident technologies.

Electronic notarization technology provider—A provider of tamper-evident technology for performing notarial acts with respect to electronic records, which has been approved by the department in accordance with § 167.84 (relating to standards for approval of electronic notarization technology).

Electronic notary public—A notary public who has notified the department that the notary public is performing notarial acts with respect to electronic records and who has notified the department of each electronic notarization technology provider the notary public intends to use to perform notarial acts electronically.

Examination—A proctored computer-based examination required by 57 Pa.C.S. § 322(a) (relating to examination, basic education and continuing education) and described in § 167.15 (relating to notary public examination) to determine the fitness of an applicant to exercise the functions of the office of notary public and administered by a professional testing organization under contract with the department at times, places and costs established by the professional testing organization.

Home address—The residence address of an applicant or notary public, which must include street and number.

Non-inking embosser—A device that, when pressed into paper, creates a raised impression. Also referred to as a crimping embosser.

Office—The place of employment or practice in this Commonwealth of an applicant or notary public.

Office address—An applicant or notary public’s address of place of employment or practice in this Commonwealth, which must include street and number.

Professional testing organization—An organization that is in the business of administering examinations for professional licensees or commissioned professionals.

Remote notarization—The performance of notarial acts facilitated by communication technology for a remotely located individual.

Remote notarization technology provider—A provider of communication technology and identity proofing for performing notarial acts with respect to remotely located individuals, which has been approved by the department in accordance with § 167.86 (relating to standards for approval of remote notarization technology).

Remote notary public—A notary public who has notified the department that the notary public is performing notarial acts for a remotely located individual using communication technology and who has notified the department of each remote notarization technology provider the notary public intends to use to perform notarial acts remotely.

Renewal of appointment and commission—The process by which an individual who holds an active commission as a notary public in this Commonwealth is reappointed and obtains another 4-year commission to the office of notary public, in compliance with 57 Pa.C.S. § 321(a)—(e).

Spouse—An individual holding a marriage license issued or recognized under 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 13 (relating to marriage license) who is married to a notary public.

Tamper-evident technology—A device, process or procedure that allows a person inspecting an electronic record to detect whether there have been any alterations to the record.

Tangible—Perceptible by touch when used in conjunction with ‘‘record,’’ ‘‘medium’’ or ‘‘symbol.’’