Locksmith license in New York
The short answer
No statewide licenseNo statewide locksmith license, but New York City, Nassau County and Yonkers license locksmiths locally. New York City is changing its rules: individual locksmith licenses end on May 31, 2027, replaced by a Locksmith Business license.
What to do in New York
We found no statewide locksmith license in New York. That doesn't mean no rules: you still need whatever general business registration and local business license your city or county asks of any trade, and some cities and counties license locksmiths on their own. Call the city or county clerk where you're based before you open, and check again if you start working in a new county.
Local rules
- New York City: A DCWP locksmith license is required today (two-year license, proof of qualifications, fingerprints). Under Local Law 183 of 2025, individual licenses end May 31, 2027, a new Locksmith Business license opens for applications in February 2027, and locksmith fingerprinting ends. Official page
- Nassau County: A county locksmith license from the Office of Consumer Affairs: a fixed business location, age 18 and proof of insurance each license year. Employees and apprentices supervised by a licensee are exempt. Official page
- Yonkers: City Code chapter 29 requires a permit from the Office of Licensing to work as a locksmith or keymaker. Our copy may be dated, so check with the city. Official page
Every state: ID and proof on every lockout
Whatever the license rules, check a photo ID and proof that the caller lives there or owns the car before you open anything, and keep a record of it. Our lockout authorization form gives you a signed record for the file.
Sources
- NYC DCWP: licenses affected by new local laws
- NYC Business: locksmith license
- NYC Administrative Code §20-298 to §20-307
- Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs: licensing
- New York Department of State: licensing services
Last checked October 2026. This page is a summary to help you find the right agency, not legal advice. If something here is out of date, tell us through the contact page.
Questions
Do I need a locksmith license in New York?
Are there city or county locksmith rules in New York?
Do I still need to check ID and proof of ownership?
More for your shop
- Locksmith license by stateWhich states license locksmiths, who issues the license, and local rules, with sources.
- Lockout authorization formMake a printable authorization form with ID, proof of ownership and signature lines, with your shop's details.
- Phone script builderQuestions to ask on every kind of locksmith call, in English and Spanish, with your greeting.
- Google verification checklistStep by step: Google Business Profile, Local Services Ads advanced verification and suspension appeals.
- ID & proofID and proof of ownership photos, a customer signature and before and after photos on every job.
Keep the paperwork on every job
LockCommand saves the customer's ID, proof of ownership photos and signature with each job, next to the invoice and the call recording.
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