States with Locksmith Laws

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

15 states require locksmith licensing: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. New York City and Miami have their own licensing laws.

Be skeptical of locksmiths who claim to be licensed in states that don’t require a license.
Verify a locksmith license by calling (800) 952-5210 or on the BSIS (Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) website at www.bsis.ca.gov. According to California law, locksmiths are required to carry a copy of their license with them at all times.
Ask to verify their license upon arrival. If a locksmith cannot produce a copy of their license, consider hiring another locksmith.
A legitimate locksmith should also ask you for identification to verify that they are unlocking a home or car that belongs to you. Use caution if the locksmith shows up in an unmarked vehicle, or one advertising a different business name than the company you hired.