How many U.S. states require a locksmith license?

15 of 50 states require a statewide locksmith license: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The other 35 states have no statewide licensing requirement, though some cities and counties (New York City, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough County) add their own registration rules.

Which state has the strictest locksmith licensing?

By application and renewal fees, Nevada is the most expensive to enter (Nevada Private Investigator's Licensing Board, $700 application plus $500 annual renewal), followed by Oregon ($325 application, $325 biennial via the Construction Contractors Board) and Maryland ($226 application and renewal via the Department of Labor).

Does a state with no locksmith license mean no rules apply?

No. Even in the 35 states without a statewide license, city and county governments can impose their own registration requirements -- New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and Miami-Dade County both license locksmiths locally despite their states having no statewide rule. Business registration, sales-tax registration, and liability insurance are still required everywhere regardless of locksmith-specific licensing.

Licensing reference

Locksmith Licensing by State

All 50 states. Verified 2026-07-02.

Locksmith licensing in the United States is a patchwork. 15 states require a statewide license; the other 35 leave it to local rule or do not regulate locksmiths at all. Below is the full reference, most recently spot-verified against each state's own licensing board and cross-checked 2026-07-02. See how this compares to five other skilled trades on our Skilled Trades Career Index, or read the Apprenticeship & First-Year Guide for what to do once you know your state's rule.

States that require statewide locksmith licensing

Alabama — Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure (AESBL), $75–$250 application + annual renewal
California — California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), ~$120 application + $99 fingerprinting (Live Scan)
Connecticut — Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, $150 initial + $100 annual
Illinois — Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), $300 application + $300 every 3 years
Louisiana — Louisiana State Fire Marshal — Licensing Section, $50 application + $50 annual
Maryland — Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, $226 application + $226 renewal
North Carolina — North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board, $160 application + $90 annual
Nebraska — Nebraska Secretary of State, $50 initial + $50 annual
New Jersey — New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, $160 initial + $90 biennial
Nevada — Nevada Private Investigator's Licensing Board (PILB), $700 application + $500 annual
Oklahoma — Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry — Burglar & Fire Alarm Industry Section, $100 application + $100 annual
Oregon — Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), $325 application + $325 biennial
Tennessee — Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance — Locksmith Licensing Program, $160 application + $80 annual
Texas — Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — Private Security Bureau, $33 individual + $400 company license
Virginia — Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), $150 initial + $100 biennial

States without statewide locksmith licensing

Alaska · Arkansas · Arizona · Colorado · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Iowa · Idaho · Indiana · Kansas · Kentucky · Massachusetts · Maine · Michigan · Minnesota · Missouri · Mississippi · Montana · North Dakota · New Hampshire · New Mexico · New York · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Utah · Vermont · Washington · Wisconsin · West Virginia · Wyoming

Click any state for the launch checklist (business registration, insurance, local rules to verify).

City-level licensing requirements (always verify locally)

New York City, NY: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection licenses locksmiths separately, even though New York State does not.
Miami-Dade County, FL: County-level locksmith registration required ($150–$300, background check).
Hillsborough County, FL: County-level locksmith registration required.
Cook County, IL: Note that Illinois already has statewide licensing — Cook County does not add a separate requirement.

Related guides

Skilled Trades Career Index — how locksmith licensing burden compares to electrician, plumber, HVAC, welder, and auto-tech licensing. Apprenticeship & First-Year Guide — the real training path, real costs, and the DOL-registered apprenticeship option most locksmiths skip.

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