Illinois locksmith license

Yes. Illinois licenses locksmiths through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: an individual locksmith needs a locksmith license and a business needs a locksmith agency license. The law is scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029 unless the legislature extends it, as it has before.

Last checked October 13, 2026 · 46 quoted facts from official pages

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Illinois at a glance

State license: Yes, a statewide license
Issued by: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
The law: 225 ILCS 447 (Locksmith Act of 2004)
License types: 6
Renewal: Every 3 years
City and county rules: See the notes below

License types

As the agency names them.

Individual

Licensed Locksmith

Individual license; exam, fingerprints and general liability insurance required. A licensed locksmith with no employees may operate under a registered assumed name without an agency license.

Company

Licensed Locksmith Agency

Required for a business that employs at least one other person besides the licensee-in-charge; needs a full-time Illinois-licensed locksmith licensee-in-charge and an in-state (or within 50 miles of the border, if approved) street business address.

Manager

Locksmith licensee-in-charge

Designation, not a separate license: a full-time management employee or owner holding a locksmith license who is responsible for the agency's records and compliance. One agency per licensee-in-charge.

Other

Licensed Locksmith Agency Branch Office

Each branch location of an agency needs its own branch office license.

Individual

Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)

Required for non-exempt employees of a licensed locksmith agency; minimum age 18; fingerprint background check.

Other

Approved 20-Hour Basic Training Program

IDFPR approval category for the employee basic training course.

Requirements

Only what the official pages state. A blank means we could not confirm it.

Minimum age: 18
Training or experience: Registered employees of a licensed locksmith agency must complete a minimum of 20 hours of employer-certified basic training from a qualified instructor within 30 days of employment. The individual locksmith license itself requires passing an exam (225 ILCS 447/30-10 lists no separate training-hours requirement).
Exam: State locksmith examination (administered through Continental Testing Services); passing score 70; a passing score is valid for 3 years. Passing scores (70%) on the ALOA Mandatory, Code and Electricity sections within 3 years may be submitted instead.
Background check: Fingerprints required; license not issued until security clearance is completed. Disqualifiers include a felony conviction unless at least 10 years have passed since full discharge of the sentence; good moral character is a continuing requirement (registered sex offenders are barred). PERC applicants' fingerprints are checked against Illinois State Police and FBI databases.
Insurance: General liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, proven by a certificate of insurance. A locksmith employed by a licensed agency may rely on the employer's coverage. Failure to maintain insurance results in cancellation of the license without hearing.

Fees

From the agency's fee rules. Fees change, so check before you apply.

Fee	Amount
Locksmith license application fee (paid to IDFPR)	$500
Locksmith examination test fee (paid to Continental Testing Services, in addition to the application fee)	$174
Locksmith agency license application fee	$500
Branch office license application fee	$200
Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) issuance fee	$55
Locksmith license renewal (per year of the 3-year period)	$150
Agency license renewal (per renewal period)	$450
Branch office license renewal (per renewal period)	$200
PERC renewal (per renewal period)	$45
Restoration of a lapsed license (other than from inactive status), plus all lapsed renewal fees	$50
Electronic fingerprint processing (set by the vendor)	Not stated

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal: Every 3 years
Continuing education: None currently required for licensed locksmiths; the Department is authorized to adopt continuing education rules but has not done so for locksmiths.

Working without a license

Unlicensed practice (or holding out) as a locksmith, or operating a locksmith agency without an agency license, is a Class A misdemeanor; a second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony. IDFPR may also impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per offense.

City and county rules in Illinois

Each entry is backed by the official sources quoted below.

Illinois cities and counties

Only the state may regulate locksmith businesses and their employees in Illinois. No unit of local government may, including home rule cities such as Chicago (225 ILCS 447/50-25).

Official page

What the official sources say

Each line is a short quote from the official page it links to, with the date we read it.

Practicing, attempting to practice, or holding out as a locksmith without an Illinois license is unlawful and a criminal offense (225 ILCS 447/45-50; source P.A. 98-253, eff. 8-9-13).
“holding out as available to practice as a private detective, private security contractor, private alarm contractor, fingerprint vendor, or locksmith without a license”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A business acting as a licensed agency (including a locksmith agency) must hold an agency license (225 ILCS 447/10-5(b)).
“It is unlawful for a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity to act as an agency licensed under this Act”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The statutory definition of locksmith covers servicing, installing, originating first keys, re-coding, repairing, manipulating or bypassing mechanical or electronic locking devices (225 ILCS 447/5-10).
“servicing, installing, originating first keys, re-coding, repairing, maintaining, manipulating, or bypassing of a mechanical or electronic locking device”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Minimum age for a locksmith license is 18 (225 ILCS 447/30-10(a)(1); source P.A. 103-309, eff. 1-1-24).
“qualified for licensure as a locksmith if the person meets all of the following requirements: (1) Is at least 18 years of age.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A felony conviction disqualifies an applicant unless at least 10 years have elapsed since full discharge of the sentence (225 ILCS 447/30-10(a)(2)).
“convicted of any felony in any jurisdiction or at least 10 years have elapsed since the time of full discharge”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Good moral character is a continuing requirement for a locksmith license (225 ILCS 447/30-10(a)(3)).
“Good moral character is a continuing requirement of licensure.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Non-felony convictions are not an absolute bar, except that registered sex offenders are barred (225 ILCS 447/30-10(a)(3)).
“shall not constitute an absolute bar to licensure, except where the applicant is a registered sex offender”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Applicants must pass a Department-authorized examination and submit fingerprints, proof of general liability insurance and the license fee (225 ILCS 447/30-10(a)(7)-(8)).
“Submits the applicant's fingerprints, proof of having general liability insurance required under subsection (b), and the required license fee.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026

Show 38 more facts

The passing score on the locksmith examination is 70, and a passing score is valid for 3 years (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.300; amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 7879, effective March 25, 2014).
“The passing score on the examination is 70 or above.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A passing locksmith examination score is valid for 3 years (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.300(d)).
“A successful examination score shall be valid for 3 years.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
General liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, evidenced by a certificate of insurance, is required for licensure (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.300(c)(2)).
“Proof of at least $1,000,000 of general liability insurance held by the applicant as evidenced by a certificate of insurance from the insurer”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A locksmith employed by a licensed agency (or a private concern) may show coverage under the employer's liability insurance (225 ILCS 447/30-10(b)).
“may provide proof that the locksmith's actions as a locksmith are covered by the liability insurance of the locksmith's employer”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Letting the required general liability insurance lapse results in cancellation of the license without a hearing (225 ILCS 447/30-10(b)).
“Failure to maintain general liability insurance ... shall result in cancellation of the license without hearing.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
IDFPR will not issue a locksmith license until the fingerprint security clearance is complete (IDFPR locksmith application packet, updated 10/17/24).
“Licenses will not be issued until security clearance is completed.”
Source: idfpr.illinois.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The exam is taken through Continental Testing Services; the IDFPR packet (updated 10/17/24) lists a $174.00 locksmith examination fee in Chart I, paid to the testing service.
“Locksmith 191 Examination $174.00”
Source: idfpr.illinois.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Passing scores (70% per section) on the ALOA Mandatory, Code and Electricity sections may be submitted in place of the state exam if within 3 years of application (IDFPR packet, updated 10/17/24).
“Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) examination which includes the Mandatory, Code and Electricity sections and passed each section with a 70%”
Source: idfpr.illinois.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The locksmith license application fee is $500 (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(a)(1); amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 7111, effective June 21, 2019).
“The fee for application for a license as a private detective, security contractor, alarm contractor, or locksmith is $500.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The examination fee is paid in addition to the application fee, to the Division or the designated testing service (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(a)(1)).
“required to pay, either to the Division or to the designated testing service, a fee covering the cost of providing the examination”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The agency license application fee is $500 (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(a)(3)).
“The fee for application for an agency license is $500.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The branch office license application fee is $200 (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(a)(4)).
“The fee for application for a branch office license is $200.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The Permanent Employee Registration Card issuance fee is $55 (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(a)(5)).
“The fee for issuance of a permanent employee registration card is $55.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Locksmith license renewal costs $150 per year of the renewal period (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(b)(1)).
“or locksmith license shall be calculated at the rate of $150 per year.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Agency license renewal is $450 per renewal period (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(b)(3)).
“The fee for the renewal of an agency license is $450 for the renewal period.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Branch office license renewal is $200 per renewal period (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(b)(4)).
“The fee for the renewal of a branch office license is $200 for the renewal period.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
PERC renewal is $45 per renewal period (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(b)(5)).
“The fee for the renewal of a permanent employee registration card is $45 for the renewal period.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Restoring a lapsed license (other than from inactive status) costs $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.570(c)(1)).
“The fee for the restoration of a license other than from inactive status is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Individual licenses (including locksmith) expire on May 31 every 3 years; agency and branch office certificates expire August 31 every 3 years (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.550; amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16228, effective September 6, 2022).
“every individual license issued under the Act shall expire on May 31 every 3 years.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Agency and branch office certificates expire on August 31 every 3 years (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.550(b)).
“every certificate of registration for an agency and every branch office ... shall expire on August 31 every 3 years.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
There is no continuing education requirement for licensed locksmiths (Governor's Office of Management and Budget sunset review, April 14, 2023); the Act allows IDFPR to adopt CE rules (225 ILCS 447/10-27).
“There are no continuing education requirements for licensed locksmiths, fingerprint vendors, and private alarm contractors.”
Source: budget.illinois.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Registered employees of a licensed locksmith agency must complete at least 20 hours of training within 30 days of employment (225 ILCS 447/30-20; source P.A. 103-309, eff. 1-1-24).
“shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of training provided by a qualified instructor within 30 days of their employment”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Non-exempt employees of a licensed agency must hold a Permanent Employee Registration Card (225 ILCS 447/35-30).
“All employees of a licensed agency, other than those exempted, shall apply for a permanent employee registration card.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
PERC holders must be at least 18 (225 ILCS 447/35-30(a)(1)).
“No person shall be issued a permanent employee registration card who: (1) Is younger than 18 years of age.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
PERC applicants' fingerprints are checked against Illinois State Police and FBI criminal history databases (225 ILCS 447/35-30(c)).
“These fingerprints shall be checked against the Illinois State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record databases”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
An agency license requires a full-time Illinois-licensed locksmith as licensee-in-charge, as a continuing requirement (225 ILCS 447/30-15(a)).
“proof that the applicant has a full-time Illinois licensed locksmith licensee-in-charge, which is a continuing requirement for agency licensure”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A licensed locksmith using a business name but employing no one does not need a separate agency license (225 ILCS 447/30-15(b)).
“shall not be required to obtain a locksmith agency license if that licensed locksmith does not employ any persons”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
An agency's business address must be in Illinois, though IDFPR may approve an out-of-state location within 50 miles of the border (225 ILCS 447/30-15(d)(1)).
“The Department may approve of an out-of-state business location if it is not over 50 miles in distance from the borders of this State.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A locksmith may serve as licensee-in-charge for only one agency (225 ILCS 447/30-15(c)).
“No locksmith may be the licensee in-charge for more than one locksmith agency.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Each branch office of an agency needs its own branch office license (225 ILCS 447/10-5(c)).
“No agency shall operate a branch office without first applying for and receiving a branch office license for each location.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Towing, repossession, roadside assistance and auto club employees opening car locks in their normal duties are exempt, provided they do not hold themselves out as locksmiths (225 ILCS 447/30-5(5)).
“An employee of a towing service, repossessor, roadside assistance service, or automobile club opening automotive locks in the normal course of the employee's duties.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Licensed locksmiths and agencies must show their name and license number on any advertisement (225 ILCS 447/30-35).
“a licensed locksmith or locksmith agency shall include the licensee's name ... and the licensee's license number on any advertisement.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Work orders for bypassing locks or originating first keys must record the requester's identity and be kept 2 years (225 ILCS 447/30-25).
“A copy of the work order form, invoice, or receipt shall be kept by the licensed locksmith for a period of 2 years”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Unlicensed practice is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense (225 ILCS 447/45-50(a)).
“guilty of a Class A misdemeanor; a person who commits a second or subsequent violation of these provisions is guilty of a Class 4 felony”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Violators may also be assessed a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per offense (225 ILCS 447/45-50(c)).
“shall pay a civil penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each offense”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Local governments, including home rule units, may not regulate the locksmith business; the power is exclusively the State's (225 ILCS 447/50-25; source P.A. 95-613, eff. 9-11-07).
“or locksmith business or their employees shall be exercised exclusively by the State and may not be exercised by any unit of local government”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The Act is scheduled to be repealed (sunset) on January 1, 2029 under the Regulatory Sunset Act, 5 ILCS 80/4.39(a) (latest source note: P.A. 104-417, eff. 8-15-25), unless the General Assembly extends it.
“repealed on January 1, 2029: ... The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004.”
Source: ilga.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The sunset date has been extended before: in April 2023 the Act was scheduled to sunset January 1, 2024 and GOMB recommended extension; the date is now January 1, 2029.
“which is scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2024.”
Source: budget.illinois.gov · checked October 13, 2026

Sales tax on locksmith work in Illinois

Rates, local taxes and how Illinois treats labor and repair charges: sales tax facts for Illinois.

Running a locksmith business in Illinois on IntelliDrive OS

What the software does today, nothing more. It does not apply for licenses, file returns or give legal or tax advice.

One tax rate per shop

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Scheduling and dispatch (add-on)

Scheduling, dispatch, live GPS and ETA texts come with the GetTimePad add-on at $199/month. It is not part of the $79 plan.

Scheduling

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Illinois locksmith license questions

Do you need a license to be a locksmith in Illinois?

Who issues locksmith licenses in Illinois?

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, under 225 ILCS 447 (Locksmith Act of 2004).

How much does a Illinois locksmith license cost?

Locksmith license application fee (paid to IDFPR): $500. Locksmith examination test fee (paid to Continental Testing Services, in addition to the application fee): $174. Locksmith agency license application fee: $500. Branch office license application fee: $200. Fees change, so check the agency's fee page before you apply.

How often do you renew a Illinois locksmith license?

Every 3 years. None currently required for licensed locksmiths; the Department is authorized to adopt continuing education rules but has not done so for locksmiths.

What happens if you work as a locksmith without a license in Illinois?

Can a city or county in Illinois require its own locksmith license?

Only the state may regulate locksmith businesses and their employees in Illinois. No unit of local government may, including home rule cities such as Chicago (225 ILCS 447/50-25).

This guide summarizes the official pages linked next to each fact. Rules and fees change, so check with the licensing agency before you apply or take work. This is not legal advice.

Last checked October 13, 2026.

Locksmith license rules for every state

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