--- title: "Washington locksmith license requirements · LockCommand" description: "Washington has no state locksmith license, but RCW 19.355 sets advertising rules, and Olympia and Mountlake Terrace license locksmiths. Sources inside." url: https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/washington --- [Last checked October 2026](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license) # Washington locksmith license requirements Washington has no state locksmith license, but RCW 19.355 sets advertising rules, and Olympia and Mountlake Terrace license locksmiths. Sources inside. ## The short answer No statewide license No statewide locksmith license, but a state law (RCW 19.355) says locksmiths must show their business license or UBI number on their website and in all ads, and must not misrepresent where they're located. Olympia and Mountlake Terrace license locksmiths at the city level. **Where to check** [Washington Department of Revenue, business licensing](https://dor.wa.gov/open-business) **The law** [RCW 19.355, Locksmith Services (advertising rules, not a license)](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.355&full=true) ## What to do in Washington We found no statewide locksmith license in Washington. 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 - **Olympia:** Municipal Code chapter 5.52: a city license to work as a locksmith or run a locksmith business, and a Police Department permit for every locksmith and employee. [Official page](https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Olympia/html/Olympia05/Olympia0552.html) - **Mountlake Terrace:** Municipal Code chapter 5.60: a locksmith license on top of the business license, with a police record and fingerprint check. Traveling locksmiths are banned. [Official page](https://codepublishing.com/WA/MountlakeTerrace/html/MountlakeTerrace05/MountlakeTerrace0560.html) ### 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 - [RCW 19.355, Locksmith Services](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.355&full=true) - [Washington Department of Revenue: open a business](https://dor.wa.gov/open-business) - [Olympia Municipal Code chapter 5.52](https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Olympia/html/Olympia05/Olympia0552.html) - [Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code chapter 5.60](https://codepublishing.com/WA/MountlakeTerrace/html/MountlakeTerrace05/MountlakeTerrace0560.html) 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) · [Virginia](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/virginia) · [West Virginia](https://lockcommand.com/tools/locksmith-license/west-virginia) ## Questions ### Do I need a locksmith license in Washington? No statewide locksmith license, but a state law (RCW 19.355) says locksmiths must show their business license or UBI number on their website and in all ads, and must not misrepresent where they're located. Olympia and Mountlake Terrace license locksmiths at the city level. ### Are there city or county locksmith rules in Washington? Yes. We found local rules in Olympia and Mountlake Terrace. Check with each one before you work there. ### 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) .