🔐 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.