Virginia locksmith license
Yes. Virginia licenses locksmiths through the Department of Criminal Justice Services, under its private security services law. A locksmith business needs a private security services business license and a designated compliance agent, and each locksmith it employs needs a DCJS registration, which requires fingerprints and an 18-hour entry-level course ending in a written exam.
Last checked October 13, 2026 · 34 quoted facts from official pages
Virginia at a glance
- State license
- Yes, a statewide license
- License types
- 3
- Renewal
- Every 2 years
License types
As the agency names them.
Company
Private security services business license (locksmith category)
Required to engage in or solicit private security services business, which by definition includes providing locksmiths. Locksmiths are one of the license categories; the initial license fee includes one category and each added category costs extra. A certified compliance agent must be designated.
Manager
Compliance agent certification
Each licensed business must designate at least one compliance agent who ensures the business complies; must be 18+ and complete DCJS regulatory compliance entry-level training.
Individual
Locksmith registration (private security services registrant)
Required for anyone employed by a licensed private security services business as a locksmith. May work up to 90 consecutive days while completing training if fingerprints were submitted.
Requirements
Only what the official pages state. A blank means we could not confirm it.
- Minimum age
- 18
- Training or experience
- Locksmith registrants: DCJS entry-level course 25E Locksmith, 18 hours (excluding the exam), covering Virginia law and regulations, signs of terrorism, orientation to locksmithing, public safety codes and technical applications (6VAC20-174-290). Compliance agents complete DCJS regulatory compliance entry-level training (6VAC20-172-90).
- Exam
- The 25E entry-level course ends with a written comprehensive examination (6VAC20-174-290(B)).
- Background check
- Fingerprints for a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search before employment as a locksmith (Code § 9.1-139(I)); any felony, and misdemeanors involving listed categories such as moral turpitude, assault and battery, or damage to property, are disqualifying unless the DCJS Director grants a written waiver (Code § 9.1-139(K)).
- Insurance
- Business license: certificate of comprehensive general liability insurance with a minimum of $1 million general aggregate, naming DCJS as certificate holder (6VAC20-172-40(B)(2); Code § 9.1-144).
Fees
From the agency's fee rules. Fees change, so check before you apply.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fingerprint processing application (individual registration) | $50 |
| Initial locksmith registration | $25 |
| Registration renewal | $20 |
| Additional registration category | $20 |
| Initial business license, 1-year | $550 |
| Initial business license, 2-year | $800 |
| Business license renewal, 2-year | $500 |
| Business license additional category | $50 |
| Initial compliance agent certification | $50 |
| Compliance agent certification renewal | $25 |
| Regulatory compliance entry-level training (compliance agent) | $75 |
| Regulatory compliance in-service training (compliance agent) | $50 |
Renewal and continuing education
- Renewal
- Every 2 years
- Continuing education
- Locksmith registrants complete 4 hours of in-service training (25I Locksmith In-Service) once during each 24-month registration period (6VAC20-174-170, 6VAC20-174-290(C)). Late renewal carries a reinstatement fee of 50% above the renewal fee (6VAC20-174-20(B)).
Working without a license
Practicing a trade licensed, certified or registered under the article without the required license or registration is unlawful; a willful violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent offense within 36 months is a Class 6 felony (Code § 9.1-147). A person not criminally prosecuted can be assessed a monetary penalty of up to $2,500 per violation (Code § 9.1-150).
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 DCJS license is required to engage in the private security services business in Virginia (Code § 9.1-139(A), as displayed 10/13/2026).
“No person shall engage in the private security services business ... in the Commonwealth without having obtained a license from the Department.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The private security services business definition includes providing locksmiths (Code § 9.1-138).
“means any person engaged in the business of providing, or who undertakes to provide, ... alarm respondents, locksmiths, central station dispatchers”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A locksmith is any individual who performs locksmith services or holds out as a locksmith, including under substitute titles (Code § 9.1-138).
“means any individual that performs locksmith services, or advertises or represents to the general public that the individual is a locksmith”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A business license is not issued until a compliance agent is designated in writing (Code § 9.1-139(A)).
“No person shall be issued a private security services business license until a compliance agent is designated in writing”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A locksmith employed by a licensed private security services business must hold a DCJS registration (Code § 9.1-139(C)).
“employed by a licensed private security services business ... as ... locksmith ... without possessing a valid registration issued by the Department”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A locksmith must submit fingerprints for national and Virginia criminal record searches before employment (Code § 9.1-139(I)).
“submitted his fingerprints to the Department to be used for the conduct of a National Criminal Records search and a Virginia Criminal History Records search”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Felonies and certain misdemeanors bar registration or licensure unless the DCJS Director grants a written waiver (Code § 9.1-139(K)).
“No person with a criminal conviction for a misdemeanor involving (i) moral turpitude, (ii) assault and battery, (iii) damage to real or personal property”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The DCJS Director may waive the conviction bar on written request (Code § 9.1-139(K)).
“upon written request, the Director of the Department may waive such prohibition.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Show 26 more facts
Licensed businesses must put their license number on all business advertising (Code § 9.1-139(M)).
“shall include their license or certification number on all business advertising materials.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Registration applicants must be at least 18 (6VAC20-174-40(B)(1), eff. September 9, 2015).
“Each person applying for registration shall meet the following minimum requirements for eligibility: 1. Be a minimum of 18 years of age;”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A locksmith may work up to 90 consecutive days while completing training, if fingerprints were submitted and the employer is DCJS-licensed for locksmith services (DCJS locksmith FAQ).
“A locksmith may work for up to 90 consecutive days while completing the compulsory minimum training requirements”
Source: dcjs.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Locksmith entry-level training is 18 hours (course 25E) (6VAC20-174-290(A), eff. September 9, 2015).
“The compulsory minimum entry-level training courses and specific minimum hour requirement ... shall be: Locksmith - 18 hours”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The 25E course content ends with a written comprehensive examination (6VAC20-174-290(B)(f)).
“f. Written comprehensive examination”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Locksmith in-service training is 4 hours (course 25I) (6VAC20-174-290(C)).
“(25I) Locksmith In-Service - 4 hours job-related training”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Registered locksmiths complete in-service training once in each 24-month registration period (6VAC20-174-170, eff. September 9, 2015).
“shall complete the compulsory in-service training standard once during each 24-month period of registration.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Registration fees: fingerprint processing $50, initial registration $25, renewal $20 (6VAC20-174-20(A), eff. September 9, 2015).
“Fingerprint processing application $50 Initial registration $25 Registration renewal $20 Additional registration category form $20”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Late renewal costs a reinstatement fee of 50% above the renewal fee (6VAC20-174-20(B)(2)).
“The reinstatement fee shall be 50% above and beyond the renewal fee”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
An initial registration is issued for up to 24 months (6VAC20-174-40(E)).
“the department may issue an initial registration for a period not to exceed 24 months.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A renewed registration is issued for up to 24 months (6VAC20-174-50(D)).
“Upon completion of the renewal registration application requirements, the department may issue a registration for a period not to exceed 24 months.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Business license fees: $550 initial 1-year, $800 initial 2-year, $500 2-year renewal (6VAC20-172-20(A), eff. September 9, 2015).
“Initial business license - 1-year license $550 Initial business license - 2-year license $800 Business license renewal - 2-year license $500”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Category and compliance agent fees: $50 per business license category, $50 initial compliance agent certification, $25 renewal (6VAC20-172-20(A)).
“Business license category $50 Initial compliance agent certification $50 Compliance agent certification renewal $25”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Compliance agent regulatory compliance training fees: $75 entry-level, $50 in-service (6VAC20-172-20(A)).
“Regulatory compliance - entry-level training $75 Regulatory compliance - in-service training $50”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The initial business license fee covers one category; locksmiths are a separate category (6VAC20-172-40(B)(8), last amended eff. November 28, 2018).
“The initial business license fee includes one category. A separate fee will be charged for each additional category.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Locksmiths are listed as a business license category (6VAC20-172-40(B)(8)).
“(iv) armored car personnel, (v) personal protection specialists, (vi) locksmiths, and (vii) detector canine handlers”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A business license applicant must show comprehensive general liability insurance of at least $1 million general aggregate (6VAC20-172-40(B)(2)).
“comprehensive general liability insurance in the minimum coverage amount of $1 million of general aggregate liability insurance”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Business licenses are renewed for up to 24 months (6VAC20-172-50(B)).
“Licenses will be renewed for a period not to exceed 24 months.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Compliance agents must be at least 18 (6VAC20-172-90(A)).
“Each person applying for certification as compliance agent shall meet the following minimum requirements for eligibility: 1. Be a minimum of 18 years of age”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A compliance agent certification requires DCJS regulatory compliance entry-level training (6VAC20-172-90(C)(4)).
“Verification of satisfactory completion of department regulatory compliance entry-level training requirements pursuant to this chapter.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Licensed businesses must file proof of liability insurance in an amount fixed by DCJS (Code § 9.1-144).
“shall file with the Department evidence of a policy of liability insurance in an amount and with coverage as fixed by the Department.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Practicing a registered trade without the required license or registration is unlawful (Code § 9.1-147(A)(1)).
“Practice any trade or profession licensed, certified or registered under this article without obtaining the necessary license, certification or registration”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A willful violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Code § 9.1-147(B)).
“Any person who is convicted of willful violation of subsection A shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A third or subsequent offense within 36 months is a Class 6 felony (Code § 9.1-147(B)).
“Any person convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this section during a thirty-six-month period shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A person not criminally prosecuted can face a monetary penalty of up to $2,500 per violation (Code § 9.1-150).
“the Board shall determine the amount of the monetary penalty for the violation, which shall not exceed $2,500 for each violation.”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Retail merchants doing locksmith work or key cutting at their business location, who do not hold out as locksmiths, are exempt (Code § 9.1-140(22)).
“Retail merchants performing locksmith services, selling locks or engaged in key cutting activities conducted at the business location”
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Sales tax on locksmith work in Virginia
Rates, local taxes and how Virginia treats labor and repair charges: sales tax facts for Virginia.
Running a locksmith business in Virginia 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.
Virginia locksmith license questions
Do you need a license to be a locksmith in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia licenses locksmiths through the Department of Criminal Justice Services, under its private security services law. A locksmith business needs a private security services business license and a designated compliance agent, and each locksmith it employs needs a DCJS registration, which requires fingerprints and an 18-hour entry-level course ending in a written exam.
Who issues locksmith licenses in Virginia?
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (Private Security Services), under Code of Virginia §§ 9.1-138 to 9.1-150.
How much does a Virginia locksmith license cost?
Fingerprint processing application (individual registration): $50. Initial locksmith registration: $25. Registration renewal: $20. Additional registration category: $20. Fees change, so check the agency's fee page before you apply.
How often do you renew a Virginia locksmith license?
Every 2 years. Locksmith registrants complete 4 hours of in-service training (25I Locksmith In-Service) once during each 24-month registration period (6VAC20-174-170, 6VAC20-174-290(C)).
What happens if you work as a locksmith without a license in Virginia?
1-147). 1-150).
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 Virginia 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.