Which scenario most clearly triggers employer liability for a notary's misconduct?

• A. A notary acts without supervision
• B. The employer directs or approves the misconduct
• C. The notary charges excessive fees
• D. The signer lives in another state

Answer: (B)

When an employer is liable for a notary’s misconduct, it’s because the employer exercises control over the notary’s actions and either directs or approves the improper act. That explicit authorization shows the employer’s involvement and consent, making them responsible under agency principles (the idea that a boss can be vicariously liable for an employee’s wrongdoing). If the notary acts without supervision, it signals lax oversight but doesn’t by itself prove the employer sanctioned the misconduct. Charging excessive fees is a separate ethical or regulatory violation by the notary, not necessarily an employer-directed act. The signer living in another state has no bearing on the employer’s liability. So the scenario where the employer directs or approves the misconduct clearly demonstrates employer liability.