🔐 Locksmith License Requirements by State

Compare locksmith license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 11 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level locksmith license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $50–$50. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.
StateLicense RequiredExperienceExam FeeMedian Salary
ALAlabama Required — $50 $39,593
AKAlaska Not Required — — $56,432
AZArizona Not Required — — $44,144
ARArkansas Not Required — — $38,228
CACalifornia Required — $50 $62,803
COColorado Not Required — — $49,150
CTConnecticut Required — $50 $52,336
DEDelaware Not Required — — $45,510
DCDistrict of Columbia Required — $50 $58,252
FLFlorida Not Required — — $43,689
GAGeorgia Not Required — — $42,324
HIHawaii Not Required — — $61,438
IDIdaho Not Required — — $42,779
ILIllinois Required — $50 $47,785
INIndiana Not Required — — $41,414
IAIowa Not Required — — $40,503
KSKansas Not Required — — $40,503
KYKentucky Not Required — — $40,503
LALouisiana Not Required — — $40,959
MEMaine Not Required — — $44,144
MDMaryland Not Required — — $49,605
MAMassachusetts Not Required — — $55,522
MIMichigan Not Required — — $42,779
MNMinnesota Not Required — — $47,330
MSMississippi Not Required — — $37,773
MOMissouri Not Required — — $40,959
MTMontana Not Required — — $43,689
NENebraska Not Required — — $40,959
NVNevada Not Required — — $46,420
NHNew Hampshire Not Required — — $47,330
NJNew Jersey Required — $50 $53,701
NMNew Mexico Not Required — — $41,414
NYNew York Required — $50 $59,163
NCNorth Carolina Required — $50 $41,869
NDNorth Dakota Not Required — — $43,234
OHOhio Not Required — — $41,869
OKOklahoma Not Required — — $39,593
OROregon Not Required — — $50,061
PAPennsylvania Not Required — — $44,599
RIRhode Island Not Required — — $46,875
SCSouth Carolina Not Required — — $41,414
SDSouth Dakota Not Required — — $40,048
TNTennessee Required — $50 $40,959
TXTexas Required — $50 $42,779
UTUtah Not Required — — $44,144
VTVermont Not Required — — $45,965
VAVirginia Required — $50 $46,420
WAWashington Not Required — — $53,701
WVWest Virginia Not Required — — $39,138
WIWisconsin Not Required — — $42,779
WYWyoming Not Required — — $43,234

Common questions about locksmith licensing

Do all states require a locksmith license?

No — 11 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level locksmith license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a locksmith license?

Application fees across the states range $50–$50. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a locksmith license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.