Maryland locksmith license
Yes. Maryland licenses locksmith businesses through the Maryland Department of Labor's Locksmith Licensing Program. The business needs the license and $300,000 of general liability insurance, the owner and every employee need a state and federal fingerprint background check, and employees do not need their own license. A license lasts two years.
Last checked October 13, 2026 · 35 quoted facts from official pages
Maryland at a glance
- State license
- Yes, a statewide license
- License types
- 2
- Renewal
- Every 2 years
- City and county rules
- See the notes below
License types
As the agency names them.
Company
Locksmith license (business)
Issued to the business (corporation, partnership, LLC, LLP or sole proprietorship) registered and in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, for a single fixed business address. Not transferable. A principal official is responsible for the license.
Individual
Registered employee (no individual license)
Employees who provide locksmith services are not licensed individually but must be reported to the Program (Report of Employee / Registration of Locksmith Technician forms) and pass a State and FBI fingerprint background check before starting work; the business issues each one a photo ID card.
Requirements
Only what the official pages state. A blank means we could not confirm it.
- Training or experience
- None: the Department states no locksmith experience is required to become licensed.
- Background check
- The business owner (or designee) and every employee who provides locksmith services must complete a State and federal (FBI) fingerprint-based criminal history records check through the CJIS Central Repository; employees must apply before starting work. A conviction is not an automatic bar, but the Secretary may deny a license for a felony or a misdemeanor directly related to fitness to provide locksmith services.
- Insurance
- General liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence (umbrella coverage not accepted), with the State of Maryland Locksmith Licensing Program named as certificate holder; the insurer/licensee must give 10 days' notice before cancellation.
Fees
From the agency's fee rules. Fees change, so check before you apply.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (invoiced after approval) | $225 |
| License renewal fee (2-year term) | $225 |
| Change of name fee | $50 |
| State (CJIS) and FBI criminal history records check fees (paid at the fingerprinting location) | Not stated |
Renewal and continuing education
- Renewal
- Every 2 years
Working without a license
Acting as, offering to act as, holding oneself out as, or impersonating a locksmith without being a licensee or a licensee's employee is a misdemeanor: fine up to $1,000 on first conviction and up to $5,000 on a second or subsequent conviction. The Secretary may also order the person to cease and desist and impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per day of unlawful practice.
City and county rules in Maryland
Each entry is backed by the official sources quoted below.
Baltimore City
We found no Baltimore City locksmith license. The city's business licensing article, Article 15, licenses trades such as towing services, and none of its subtitles is about locksmiths.
What the official sources say
Each line is a short quote from the official page it links to, with the date we read it.
A business must be licensed by the Secretary of Labor before it or its employees provide locksmith services in Maryland (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-201).
“a business shall be licensed by the Secretary before the business and employees of the business provide locksmith services in the State”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Locksmith services include repairing, rekeying, adjusting or installing mechanical, electrical or electromechanical locking devices, safes and vaults, and opening them by unintended means (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-101(h)).
“repairing, rebuilding, rekeying, repinning, recombinating, adjusting, or installing mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical locking devices, safes, vaults, or safe deposit boxes”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The license is issued to a business registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (Department FAQ).
“The locksmith license is issued to a business that is registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Employees doing hands-on locksmith work do not need their own license but must undergo a criminal background check (Locksmith Licensing Program home page).
“Employees who do hands-on work as defined above do not need a license to be hired or to continue working.”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Before starting work, a new employee must be reported to the Secretary and apply for a national and State criminal history records check (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-203).
“Before an individual may begin work for a licensee as an employee: ... the individual shall apply for a national and State criminal history records check”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The business owner and each employee must undergo a State and federal fingerprint background check (General Information - Locksmith Licensing Process, Rev 01/25).
“The owner of the business and each employee must undergo a State and Federal criminal background check by providing fingerprints.”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A conviction is not an automatic bar to licensure; each is reviewed under the Act (General Information, Rev 01/25).
“Disclosure of a conviction is not an automatic bar to licensure.”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The Secretary may deny a license for a felony conviction or a misdemeanor directly related to fitness to provide locksmith services (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-211(a)(1)(vi)).
“is convicted of a: 1. felony; or 2. misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the applicant”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Show 27 more facts
Each licensed locksmith must maintain general liability insurance of at least $300,000 (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-205(a)).
“Each licensed locksmith shall maintain general liability insurance: (1) in the amount of at least $300,000”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The $300,000 general liability minimum applies per occurrence (Notice to Insurance Carriers in the license application packet, revised 01/25).
“The minimum amounts of insurance coverage required per occurrence consists of: General Liability Insurance in the amount of at least $300,000”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The insurance certificate must name the State of Maryland Locksmith Licensing Program as certificate holder (General Information, Rev 01/25).
“The certificate received by DLLR must name the "State of Maryland Locksmith Licensing Program" as the certificate holder.”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The licensee must notify the Secretary at least 10 days before an insurance cancellation takes effect (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-205(b)).
“A licensee shall give the Secretary notice of the cancellation of insurance at least 10 days before the effective date of the cancellation.”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A Maryland locksmith license is not transferable (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-206(e)).
“A license issued under this title is not transferable.”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Umbrella coverage does not satisfy the $300,000 general liability requirement (Notice to Insurance Carriers in the license application packet, revised 01/25).
“Any umbrella policy coverage is not acceptable for compliance with this requirement”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The license is issued only for a fixed business address, not a hotel/motel room, motor vehicle or P.O. box (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-206(c)).
“may not issue a license for an address that is: (i) a hotel or motel room; (ii) a motor vehicle; (iii) a post office box”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The statute bars issuing a license to an individual who is 18 or younger (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-206(d)), which on its face means an individual applicant must be older than 18.
“The Secretary may not issue a license to an individual who is 18 years old or younger.”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The Department's license application (revised 01/25) instead tells applicants they must be 18 or older, which conflicts with the statute's wording.
“Be eighteen years of age or older.”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
No locksmith experience is required to become licensed (Department FAQ).
“No, no experience is required to become a licensed locksmith in the state of Maryland.”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Fees set by regulation: application $225, renewal $225, change of name $50 (COMAR 09.40.01.02).
“Application Fee — $225; B. License Renewal Fee — $225; and C. Change of Name Fee — $ 50.”
Source: regs.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
No fee is sent with the application; the $225 license fee is invoiced after approval (General Information, Rev 01/25).
“an invoice for your license in the amount of $225 will be mailed to you for payment”
Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The license term is 2 years (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-209(a)).
“A license is issued for a term of 2 years.”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
An expired license cannot be renewed (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-209(c)(3)).
“Once expired, a license may not be renewed.”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The licensee must issue a photo ID card to each individual providing locksmith services on its behalf (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-207(a)).
“Each licensed locksmith shall issue a photo identification card to each individual providing locksmith services on behalf of the licensed locksmith”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Every locksmith advertisement and business card must show the licensed locksmith's name and license number (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-401).
“shall include the name of the licensed locksmith and the license number of the licensed locksmith”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Invoices must show the cost quoted before the work and the actual cost paid (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-301).
“the quoted cost of the service provided to the customer prior to agreeing to provide the service”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Invoice copies must be kept at the fixed business address for 3 years (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-302).
“for 3 years after the date of the service call”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Key duplication is exempt from the Act (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-103(3)).
“the acquisition, making, or use of any key duplication or key blanks”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Automotive lock work by an automotive repair and service facility is exempt (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-103(6)).
“the installation, repair, replacement, or rebuilding of an automotive lock by an automotive repair and service facility”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Lock work for a property by the owner's or management company's employee or agent is exempt (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-103(10)).
“rekeying, or adjusting of locks or lock components for property by an employee or agent of the property owner”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
No one may act as or hold themselves out as a locksmith in Maryland unless they are a licensee or a licensee's employee (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-505(a)).
“hold oneself out as, or impersonate a locksmith in the State unless the person is a licensee or employee of a licensee”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Unlicensed practice is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 (first conviction) or $5,000 (second or subsequent) (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-505(b)).
“on first conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, on second or subsequent conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
After a hearing, the Secretary may order unlicensed practice to stop and impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per day (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-506(b)).
“impose a civil penalty not exceeding $100 for each day of unlawful practice”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
For licensees, the Secretary may impose a penalty of up to $5,000 per violation instead of or in addition to discipline (Bus. Reg. § 12.5-211(a)(2)).
“the Secretary may impose a penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each violation”
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked October 13, 2026
codes.baltimorecity.gov is the City's official law site, edited and published by the Department of Legislative Reference.
“codes.baltimorecity.gov is the official home for the laws, regulations, and administrative policies of the City of Baltimore”
Source: codes.baltimorecity.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Article 15 (Licensing and Regulation) licenses businesses such as massage establishments, parking facilities, street vendors and towing services; none of its subtitles is about locksmiths.
“Subtitle 22 Towing Services – Trespass Towing”
Source: codes.baltimorecity.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Sales tax on locksmith work in Maryland
Each licensed Maryland locksmith must put six items on every invoice or receipt for a service call: the service address, the type of lock serviced, the VIN if applicable, the quoted cost, the actual cost paid and the Maryland Locksmith License Registration Number. Maryland Department of Labor
Rates, local taxes and how Maryland treats labor and repair charges: sales tax facts for Maryland.
Running a locksmith business in Maryland 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
Add your rates under Settings → Tax Rates, then choose each shop’s default rate under Settings → Outlets, so every shop charges its own local rate.
All featuresRecords kept digitally
Invoices, receipts, signatures and photos are kept digitally for your records, and you can send a receipt to the customer by email or text.
Payment-link evidencePayment links through your own account
Text or email a payment link through your own QuickBooks Payments, Square or Stripe account. On a payment-link sale the record keeps the customer’s signature, the terms they accepted, IP address and device, photos, and location when their browser shares it.
Payment processingStock by shop and van
Each shop, and each van you set up as its own location, keeps its own stock, with reorder points, counts and exact transfers between locations.
InventoryYour team, hours and commission
Time clock, timesheets, pay rates and per-technician commission reporting, with role permissions and staff limited to their own shop.
WorkforceQuickBooks Online, when you choose
Push sales and payments from IntelliDrive OS to QuickBooks Online. It is a one-way push that you start yourself.
QuickBooks integrationScheduling 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.
SchedulingMore for locksmiths: IntelliDrive OS for locksmiths.
Maryland locksmith license questions
Do you need a license to be a locksmith in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland licenses locksmith businesses through the Maryland Department of Labor's Locksmith Licensing Program. The business needs the license and $300,000 of general liability insurance, the owner and every employee need a state and federal fingerprint background check, and employees do not need their own license. A license lasts two years.
Who issues locksmith licenses in Maryland?
Maryland Department of Labor (Locksmith Licensing Program), under Maryland Business Regulation Title 12.5 (Maryland Locksmiths Act).
How much does a Maryland locksmith license cost?
Application fee (invoiced after approval): $225. License renewal fee (2-year term): $225. Change of name fee: $50. Fees change, so check the agency's fee page before you apply.
How often do you renew a Maryland locksmith license?
Every 2 years.
What happens if you work as a locksmith without a license in Maryland?
Acting as, offering to act as, holding oneself out as, or impersonating a locksmith without being a licensee or a licensee's employee is a misdemeanor: fine up to $1,000 on first conviction and up to $5,000 on a second or subsequent conviction. The Secretary may also order the person to cease and desist and impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per day of unlawful practice.
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.
Run your Maryland locksmith business on IntelliDrive OS
$79/month per business, billed monthly, with unlimited users.
The first 30 days are free. A card is required at signup and the first charge is on day 31; cancel in Settings → Billing before then and you pay nothing.