---
title: "South Carolina locksmith license requirements · LockCommand"
description: "South Carolina has no statewide locksmith license, and every licensing bill since 2001 has failed. Where to check local rules, with sources."
url: https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/south-carolina
---

[Last checked October 2026](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license)

# South Carolina locksmith license requirements

South Carolina has no statewide locksmith license, and every licensing bill since 2001 has failed. Where to check local rules, with sources.

## The short answer

No statewide license

No statewide locksmith license. Title 40 of the South Carolina Code (professions and occupations) has no locksmith chapter, and licensing bills filed between 2001 and 2020 all failed.

**Where to check**

[South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation](https://llr.sc.gov/)

## What to do in South Carolina

We found no statewide locksmith license in South Carolina. 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

We didn't find a city or county locksmith license in South Carolina. Local rules change more often than state law, so ask your city or county clerk.

### 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](https://lockcommand.com/tools/lockout-authorization-form) gives you a signed record for the file.

### Sources

- [South Carolina Code, Title 40 (chapter list)](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/title40.php)

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 If something here is out of date, tell us through the [contact page](https://lockcommand.com/contact).

[All 50 states and DC](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license) · [Rhode Island](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/rhode-island) · [South Dakota](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/south-dakota)

## Questions

### Do I need a locksmith license in South Carolina?

No statewide locksmith license. Title 40 of the South Carolina Code (professions and occupations) has no locksmith chapter, and licensing bills filed between 2001 and 2020 all failed.

### Are there city or county locksmith rules in South Carolina?

We didn't find a city or county locksmith license in South Carolina, but local rules change. Ask the clerk in each city or county where you work.

### Do I still need to check ID and proof of ownership?

Yes, in every state. Check a photo ID and proof that the person lives there or owns the car before you open anything, and keep a record of it.

## More for your shop

- [Locksmith license by state Which states license locksmiths, who issues the license, and local rules, with sources.](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license)
- [Lockout authorization form Make a printable lockout authorization form in English or Spanish, with ID, proof of ownership and signature lines, with your shop's details.](https://lockcommand.com/tools/lockout-authorization-form)
- [Phone script builder Questions to ask on every kind of locksmith call, in English and Spanish, with your greeting.](https://lockcommand.com/tools/phone-script-builder)
- [Google verification checklist Step by step: Google Business Profile, Local Services Ads advanced verification and suspension appeals.](https://lockcommand.com/tools/google-verification-checklist)
- [ID & proof ID and proof of ownership photos, a customer signature and before and after photos on every job.](https://lockcommand.com/features/id-and-proof)

## 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.

[Create your account](https://app.lockcommand.com/sign-up?from=tool-locksmith-license) [See pricing](https://lockcommand.com/pricing)

Already have an account? [Log in](https://app.lockcommand.com/sign-in). Questions first? Email  [support@lockcommand.com](mailto:support@lockcommand.com) .