Being a locksmith is a very important occupation.
The types of locks are abundant, but in almost every case, the lock in question is meant to keep something or someone safe.
That is an important task.
Of course, locksmiths also help people get into things when they lose their keys.
Have you ever known the frustration of locking your keys in your car and not being able to get where you need to be?
Most likely, it was a locksmith who came to the rescue.
With such an important task, you would think every state in the country would have rules regarding the need to have a license as a locksmith.
Unfortunately, only thirteen have such requirements.
Nebraska and Tennessee used to have licensing requirements, but have chosen to do away with them.
Certain cities, such as New York City, also have special requirements to practice as a locksmith,
Even if there is no license requirement to practice locksmithing in your state, you will probably need to have a few things.
- You will likely need to have a business license
- You will need to be over the age of 18.
- Will need business insurance
- May need to be bonded
Laws consistently change, so it will not hurt to contact your local courthouse to see if the rules have changed in your area.
This article will cover the states that require licensing to be a locksmith.
These states are Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.
It also includes the four cities in this country that have their own special locksmith requirements.
These cities are New York City, Nassau County, New York, Miami, and Hillsborough County, Florida.
States with Special Locksmith Licensing Requirements
Alabama
In Alabama, the requirements for locksmiths differ depending on whether you are a company or an independent locksmith.
We will cover both here.
Regardless of your status, you will need to have a state-issued photo ID.
For a company, you must have the following:
- A completed, signed, notarized, and witnessed company application form
- Proof of at least $250,000 in general liability insurance (company’s physical address must be on the declaration page)
- A state, city, or county business license issued through Alabama
- A $150 first-time administrative fee, made payable to the AESBL
- A fee of $300 for a sole proprietor or $400 for a corporation or LLC, made payable to the AESBL
- An application for a Qualifying Agent, along with a company application
To become a qualifying agent (actual locksmith doing work), you will need to have:
- A completed, signed, notarized, and witnessed Qualifying Agent application or individual application
- A passport-sized picture
- Training certificates for the position(s) applied for
- A signed and notarized Affidavit of Applicant that complies with Alabama’s immigration law
- ALEA forms required for a state or federal background check, two fingerprint cards, a copy of an unexpired driver’s license, and a fee of $38.25.
- Qualifying Agent fee of $150, $100, or $5,0 depending on discipline. Each type of lock, depending on what it is for (residential, business, or security, etc.), is classified independently.
- Individual fee of $50
Helpful Links
- Alabama Locksmith Association is a good resource to find training.
- Necessary application forms
- Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure
California
California also has individual requirements for companies and freelance agents.
There are also renewals required, and if a project at one site is more than $500, a contractor’s license will also be required by the locksmith.
For companies, you are looking at needing:
- Submit the application for licensure along with the application and license fee.
- Undergo a criminal-history background check through the California Department of Justice (CDOJ) and FBI.
- Submit two recent passport-quality photographs.
Initial fees for a locksmith company are $500, then $300 every two years to renew.
For individual agents, expect to:
- Undergo a criminal-history background check through the CDOJ and FBI.
- Submit a completed Application for Locksmith Employee Registration and registration fee.
An individual license costs $55 initially, then $40 every two years to renew.
Helpful Links
Connecticut
In Connecticut, an application must include a criminal-history report from the State Police Bureau of Investigation and an FBI Identification Record or Criminal Background Check, or it will be rejected.
There is no specified training required.
The license needs to be renewed every other year.
A $200 application fee is charged, and the renewal fee is $200, due Dec. 31 of every even-numbered year.
Helpful Links
- Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection Locksmith Registration
- Criminal History Report
- FBI Background Report
Illinois
In Illinois, you will need to take a 20-hour training course and pass a written test with at least 70 percent.
You will also need to get a fingerprint and background check and show proof that you have at least one million dollars in liability insurance.
Applicants will not be granted a license if they have been convicted of a felony within the past ten years, if they have been declared incompetent in a court, if they have shown poor moral character, if they have been dishonorably discharged from the military, or if they are dependent upon drugs or alcohol.
Helpful Links
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (for license application)
- Testing Requirements
Louisiana
Louisiana has a variety of categories for which a person must be licensed.
Each holds its own set of fees and training requirements.
The most often used categories include:
- Security, defined as intrusion alarms, special locking, closed-circuit TV (CCTV), and household fire protection
- Special locking, defined as electronic locking systems
- CCTV
- Locksmith, defined as mechanical and electronic locking, bank locking, special locking, detention locking, gate systems, CCTV
- Banking locking
- Detention locking
- Door hardware consultant
To apply for a license in any of these categories, you will need to show proof of acceptable training and pay the required fees.
Company fees are $250, then $50 for renewal.
Fees for individual licenses for the same categories are $100, with $50 for renewal.
Your certification from training must include 24 hours of continued education within the three-year period before renewal.
The certificates that are accepted for proper training proof are:
- Certified Licensed Locksmith (CLL)
- Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL)
- Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL)
- Certified Master Locksmith (CML)
Other types of training that are accepted include:
- Certificate of graduation from a Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program
- U.S. military school or specialty rating, qualification, or designation
- Lockmasters Security Institute Professional Locksmithing course
- Cothron’s Locksmith Basic Field Locksmith Operations course
- Pop-A-Lock Fundamentals of Locksmithing course
- Bank-Tec South Initial Locksmith Certification course
- Elite CEU General Locksmith Certification course
Helpful Links
- License forms
- Louisiana Life Safety and Security Association (offers training and licensing information)
Maryland
In Maryland, locksmith licenses are given to the business as a whole.
It is up to the business to do everything involved, such as:
- Getting a company’s Federal Employer Identification number and registration number.
- Keeping the license current
- Completing all associated paperwork.
- Adding individual locksmiths to the report of the employee form.
A registration of technicians form must also be completed when adding or removing an employee.
Licenses are issued for two years and require fingerprinting and criminal-background checks of employees and proof of $300,000 in general liability insurance.
The cost is $225 for licenses and renewals, $50 for a business name change, and $50 to add an employee.
Helpful Links
- Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (issues licenses)
Nevada
Nevada requires locksmiths to obtain a local permit from the sheriff of the county in which the locksmith works.
However, Nevada doesn’t establish specific criteria about who can obtain a license, and the decision of whether to issue a permit is left to the sheriff.
Helpful Links
New Jersey
In New Jersey, you need to show proof of graduating from high school or having a GED.
If you already have experience you can prove, the office may waive the education requirement.
You will also need to provide a fingerprint and a background check.
The fee is $150, and you will need to undergo continuing education as determined by the licensing bureau before renewal.
Helpful Links
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (license application)
North Carolina
In North Carolina, locksmiths are required to pass an exam before they are issued a license.
They do offer a study guide that will cost you $45.
Initial fees for an individual license total $438 ($200 license fee + $38 for SBI/FBI record check + $200 examination fee).
Renewals cost $300.
Helpful Links
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has different licenses for individual locksmiths and locksmith companies.
An individual must submit:
- Fingerprint cards,
- A state-issued ID card
- A copy of a Social Security card, an unexpired passport, or a W-2 from a current employer.
The individual license will cost you $49.
Companies must submit:
- Completed Company Application
- Application fee of $250
- Two completed fingerprint cards for each individual who owns 25% or more of the company
Helpful Links
Oregon
Oregon’s locksmithing rules are a bit complicated.
First, applicants must pass an 80-question test.
This is an online test and costs $60.
The books this test is based on are “The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing, 6th Edition” by Bill Phillips and “The Locksmith Dictionary”.
The applicant must then pass a background check.
The license itself costs $60 and must be renewed in two years.
Oregon also requires associating a locksmith certification with an Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license, and it is a company’s responsibility to make sure it adds information for all of its employees.
Helpful Links
Texas
Locksmiths are required to have a Class B – Security Contractor Company License.
In order to get the license, you will need to pass a background check and exam.
You will also need to have completed training or an apprenticeship.
Fees are $37.
If you can’t find an apprenticeship, you can:
- Take a 48-hour basic locksmithing course.
- Attend an approved locksmith trade school (must include a specific curriculum consisting of about 600 hours of class time).
- Work full-time for a licensed lockshop for one year.
Helpful Links
- Texas Locksmith Association (Good source of information)
- License Application
Virginia
Virginia provides its license from the criminal justice department and requires a thorough background check, completion of an 18-hour training course, and U.S. citizenship.
The application fee is $25.
Helpful Links
Cities/Counties With Special Locksmith Requirements
New York City, NY
The following are required to apply for a locksmith license:
- A government-issued photo ID,
- A passport-size color photo,
- A criminal background check and
- Proof of qualifications
For proof of qualifications, you can submit any of the following items:
- Two certificates recommending an applicant for a locksmith license, signed by DCA-licensed locksmiths or
- A letter from Local Union No. 74, Service Employees International Union, that indicates successful completion of a locksmithing course at a school, and a Certificate Recommending an Applicant for a Locksmith License
- A certificate from a school that indicates successful completion of a locksmithing course
- Professional certification from ALOA
- Proof of licensure as a locksmith from another jurisdiction within the United States
The license is good for two years and costs $100.
Helpful Links
- NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (license)
Nassau County, NY
This county has some strict rules, mainly pertaining to record-keeping and advertising for a business.
The cost is $650 for a new application for a two-year company license, $110 for an additional location.
The past three years’ transactions must be kept in an electronically searchable database.
These records must be available for inspection by:
- The commissioner
- Any person authorized by the commissioner
- Any police officer
- Any judge of the criminal court.
The database must include information and photos of all owners and employees, background checks, and insurance policy numbers.
Helpful Links
Miami, FL
There are different rules for individuals and companies.
Every locksmith business that operates within Miami-Dade County must secure a registration, and there must be at least one licensed locksmith.
First-time individual applicants must have held an apprentice locksmith permit for at least one year.
Having proof that you worked as a locksmith for at least one of the past years can also be used.
The issued ID must be worn at all times while the locksmith is on duty.
Businesses must supply:
- A copy of the current Miami-Dade County local business tax or a valid municipal business tax receipt
- Articles of incorporation or fictitious name registration
- Certificate of insurance, with a minimum of $25,000 combined liability
- Individual locksmith licenses issued by the Office of Consumer Protection (Each locksmith business must employ at least one licensed locksmith; a separate Individual locksmith application is required.)
- Workers’ Compensation Certificate or affirmation
- Copy of the owner’s driver’s license
Fees for the applications are:
- Locksmith Business: $407
- Apprentice Locksmith Permit: $32
- Certified Locksmith: $42
- Background check: $25
Helpful Links
Hillsborough County, FL
Each locksmith services business must have:
- A Florida Department of Revenue Sales Tax Certificate
- A current, valid Hillsborough County or other applicable business tax receipt
- Valid commercial general liability insurance coverage of at least $500,000 per incident for loss or damage
The owner of the business must also pass a background check, and the business must have a physical address.
Every employee must have a badge that is worn at all times.
It needs to clearly state:
- The name and photograph of the person
- The name of the locksmith services business and its license number
The fees are determined by the number of employees in a business:
- $500 for a one- to five-employee
- $750 for a six-to-10-employee business
- $1,000 for businesses that have 11 or more employees
