The words

NY attorneys and Unified Court System court clerks (appointed after a Civil Service promotional exam) are exempt from the exam. They still pay the $60 application fee.

The actual law, so it can’t scare you later.

Actually means

Exempt from the test, never from the fee. Out-of-state attorneys with a NY law office count as residents of that county.

Plain English. No legalese survives this step.

Live example

A newly admitted NY attorney applies to be a notary: no exam, but she writes the same $60 check everyone else does.

A scene you can picture.

Killer question

The trap is assuming the exemption covers the fee. It does not.

Exactly how the exam asks it.