How to Check If a Locksmith Is Licensed

2026-10-09

Does Your State Require a License?

This surprises people. In many places, anyone can say they are a locksmith. The trade group ALOA tracks which states license locksmiths, and only some do. That list changes, so check your own state rather than trusting a count you read online.

In states with a license, the locksmith has to meet rules that can include an exam, a background check and fees. In states without one, the license question has no answer, so you need other ways to judge who you are letting into your home or car.

Step One. Ask Before They Come

The best time to check is on the phone. Ask these three things.

1. What is the full legal name of your business?
2. Does my state require a locksmith license, and what is your number?
3. Will the technician show photo ID when he or she arrives?

The FTC advises people to do this research before they are locked out, the same way you would for a plumber. If you wait until you are stuck in a parking lot, it is much harder to be picky. Save a good number in your phone today.

Step Two. Look It Up

If your state licenses locksmiths, there is usually an office or board that keeps a record. Search for your state name plus "locksmith license lookup." Use the official government site, not a paid listing or an ad. Compare the name and number you were given. Check that the license is active, and that it belongs to the same company or person who is coming.

If the office has no public lookup, call and ask. A scammer is counting on you not taking this step.

Step Three. Check Who Shows Up

A license on the phone does not help if a different person arrives. When the technician gets to you, check these things before any work starts.

• The company name on the van, the uniform and the invoice matches the company you called.
• The vehicle has permanent markings, not a paper sign.
• The technician shows ID and, where required, a license.
• The price is the same one you were quoted.

The BBB and ALOA both warn about call center operations. They use the name of a real local business, answer with a generic greeting like "locksmith services," and send a subcontractor. If the name on the van is not the name you called, you can send the person away.

When Your State Has No License

You still have good options. Ask for the business registration or tax name and look the business up. Check the street address on a map. Read reviews over a long stretch of time, not only the newest ones. Ask if they carry liability insurance, and ask them to send proof. Some locksmiths also hold voluntary credentials from groups like ALOA. A credential is not the same as a state license, but it shows training.

See our page on how locksmith licensing and law work for background, and the safety check before hiring for a short checklist.

Warning Signs That the License Claim Is Fake

• They will not give a number, or they say they will text it later and never do.
• The number does not show up in your state records.
• The license belongs to a different name than the one on the invoice.
• They get annoyed when you ask.
• They push cash only, or push drilling the lock right away.

The FTC and BBB both note that a skilled locksmith can open most locks without drilling them out. A rush to drill is a warning sign. You can read more in our scam guide.

What About This Directory?

Locksmith Listing is a directory. We do not vet or guarantee any business listed here, and each one is independent. A listing is a place to start your search, not proof of a license. Use the steps above for any name you find, including ours.

Sources

• aloa.org
• aloa.org
• bbb.org
• ftc.gov