Locksmith license in Virginia
The short answer
Statewide licenseYes. In Virginia each locksmith needs a private security services registration from the Department of Criminal Justice Services, and the business they work for needs a DCJS private security business license.
- Who needs it
- Each individual locksmith (registration in the locksmith category)
- The business that employs them (private security services business license, with a compliance agent)
- What the source says it takes
- At least 18 years old, and a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien
- Fingerprints for state and national criminal records checks, sent by the hire date
- 18 hours of entry-level training ending with a written exam
- 4 hours of in-service training every 2-year registration period
- Business: commercial general liability insurance of at least $1 million aggregate
What to do in Virginia
Apply with DCJS before you take paid work, and keep the license current. The agency's own page has the forms, the fees and the latest rules, so start there rather than with a third-party summary, this one included.
Once you have a number, put it where customers and Google can see it: on invoices, estimates, the van and your Google Business Profile. Some customers ask for it, and it shows you're a real local shop.
Local rules
We didn't find a city or county locksmith license in Virginia. 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 gives you a signed record for the file.
Sources
- Code of Virginia §9.1-138, definitions
- Code of Virginia §9.1-139, licensing and registration
- 6VAC20-174, individual registration and training
- 6VAC20-172, business licensing
- DCJS: locksmith FAQ
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 If something here is out of date, tell us through the contact page.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 Virginia?
Who issues locksmith licenses in Virginia?
Are there city or county locksmith rules in Virginia?
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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