Licensing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Locksmiths

1. Do I need to be licensed?
2. What services require a license?
3. Who is licensed?
4. Do my employees need to be licensed?
5. Do my employees receive a license or identification card?
6. I am an employer required to provide identification cards for my employees. What type of identification card do I need to provide?
7. Do I need to be fingerprinted?
8. Do my employees need to be fingerprinted?
9. Where can I get fingerprinted?
10. Does my business need to be registered with the state?
11. How long is my license valid?
12. What happens if my license expires?
13. Do I need insurance?
14. Do I need locksmith experience to be eligible for the license?
15. How can I check to see if a locksmith is licensed?
16. Should I hire a locksmith if I am not sure if he or she is licensed?

1. Do I need to be licensed?
Yes, in order to provide locksmith services in the state of Maryland, businesses must be licensed and all employees performing services must be registered with Maryland’s Locksmith Licensing Program.

2. What services require a license?
Repairing, rebuilding, rekeying, repinning, recombinating, adjusting, or installing mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical locking devices, safes, vaults, or safe deposit boxes; or operating a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical locking device or opening safes, vaults, or safe deposit boxes by a means other than that intended by the manufacturer of such locking devices.

3. Who is licensed?
The locksmith license is issued to a business that is registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. There is a principle official whose name and social security number is associated with the business’ Federal Employer Identification number and registration number. The principal official is responsible for keeping the license current and completing all associated paperwork.

4. Do my employees need to be licensed?
No, employees aren’t licensed themselves, but they will need to complete the report of employee form in order to be added to the business’ license. Employees must also be fingerprinted to complete this process. A registration of technicians form must also be completed when adding and removing an employee.

5. Do my employees receive a license or identification card?
No, employees do not receive a license or an identification card from the program. However, each licensed locksmith must issue a photo identification card to each individual providing locksmith services on behalf of the licensed locksmith, including each individual identified as an employee of the licensed locksmith.

6. I am an employer required to provide identification cards for my employees. What type of identification card do I need to provide?
The photo identification card issued by a licensed locksmith must be composed of a durable material, include a current passport-sized photograph of the individual to whom the photo identification card is issued, and include the license number and license expiration date of the licensed locksmith’s license.

7. Do I need to be fingerprinted?
Yes, all applicants must have their fingerprints taken by the Criminal Justice Information Systems Repository (CJIS). The fingerprint receipt must be attached with the original license application in order to be considered for the license.

8. Do my employees need to be fingerprinted?
Yes, all employees must have their fingerprints taken by the Criminal Justice Information Systems Repository (CJIS). The fingerprint receipt must be attached with the report of employee form in order to process the application and to register an employee under the license.

9. Where can I get fingerprinted?
There are numerous CJIS facilities throughout the state where applicants and employees can get fingerprinted.

10. Does my business need to be registered with the state?
Yes, in order to be considered for the locksmith license the business must be registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and the business must be in good standing with the agency. When renewing a locksmith license the business must be in good standing with the Department of Assessments and Taxation prior to renewal of that license.

11. How long is my license valid?
The locksmith license is valid for a two-year licensing period. The license must be renewed prior to its expiration.

12. What happens if my license expires?
If your license has expired or you have not received a renewal application please contact the Locksmith Licensing Program at 410-230-6196.

13. Do I need insurance?
Yes, in order to obtain an original license, to renew a license, or for the license to remain in good standing, a certificate of liability insurance must be provided to the program. Each licensed locksmith must maintain general liability insurance in the amount of at least $300,000.

14. Do I need locksmith experience to be eligible for the license?
No, no experience is required to become a licensed locksmith in the state of Maryland. However, the licensing requirements must be met.

15. How can I check to see if a locksmith is licensed?
In order to check if a locksmith is licensed, or if an employee is registered under the license, you can search our licensing database on the website, or you can call 410-230-6916.

16. Should I hire a locksmith if I am not sure if he or she is licensed?
If a locksmith is not licensed or does not provide a license, or if an employee is not registered under the license, then you should not enter into a contract or hire them to perform locksmith services. Locksmith services must be provided by licensed business and registered employees.