Do you need a locksmith license in Washington?
No. Washington has no state locksmith license, but a 2015 law sets advertising rules for locksmith businesses. They must show a business license or state business identifier (UBI) number on their website and ads, and must not use a local phone number to hide where they are. Lock work on buildings can also require the state's contractor registration.
Last checked October 13, 2026 · 20 quoted facts from official pages
Washington at a glance
- State license
- No statewide license
- City and county rules
- Some cities or counties license locksmiths (below)
Other licenses that may apply
These are not locksmith licenses.
Other
No state locksmith license
Washington has no locksmith license or certificate. Proposed locksmith licensing (SB 5177, 2011) died in the Senate committee.
Company
L&I specialty contractor registration - 'Locks, security alarms and warning systems' classification
A general contractor registration, not a locksmith license. The classification covers installing, maintaining and repairing doors, locks and locking devices, exit devices, and built-in safes and vaults. Contractors (work on buildings or structures) must register with L&I under RCW 18.27.020; specialty contractors post a $15,000 bond (WAC 296-200A-030) and registration is $150.20 for two years (WAC 296-200A-900, effective 7/1/26).
City and county rules in Washington
Each entry is backed by the official sources quoted below.
Lacey
Lacey requires an occupational permit from the Lacey Police Department to work as a locksmith in the city. Applicants are fingerprinted for state and nationwide background checks, permits run for the calendar year, and Lacey honors locksmith permits from Olympia, Tumwater and Yelm. Working without one can be a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
Olympia
Olympia requires a city business license to work as a locksmith or run a locksmith business, and every locksmith and locksmith-business employee must also carry an occupational permit from the Olympia Police Department. Applicants are fingerprinted for state and nationwide background checks, permits run for the calendar year, and Olympia honors locksmith permits from Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm.
Tumwater
Tumwater requires an occupational permit to work as a locksmith in the city. Applications go to the Finance Department and the Police Department takes the fingerprints, permits run for the calendar year, and Tumwater honors locksmith permits from Lacey and Olympia. Working without one can be a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
Mountlake Terrace
Mountlake Terrace requires a city license to work as a locksmith or keymaker, separate from the business license. Applicants get a full police record check, including fingerprints, and breaking the rules can mean a fine of up to $100.
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 2011 Senate bill report on a proposed locksmith licensing bill stated that Washington did not regulate locksmiths (SB 5177 report, as of February 9, 2011).
“Washington does not currently regulate locksmiths.”
Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
SB 5177 (2011), 'Concerning the licensure of locksmiths', never left the Senate committee; its last action is a 2012 reintroduction retained in present status.
“By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Washington's locksmith law (chapter 19.355 RCW, enacted 2015 c 28) defines locksmith services, including vehicle unlocking and key origination.
“Selling, installing, servicing, repairing, repinning, recombinating, and adjusting locks, safes, vaults, or safe deposit boxes;”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A business whose primary business is locksmith services may not misrepresent its geographic location with a local phone number that forwards outside the area without disclosing its locality and state (RCW 19.355.020(1)).
“represents himself or herself to the public as a locksmith may misrepresent his, her, or its geographic location by:”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Such a locksmith must display a state or local business license number, or the state UBI number, on its website and all advertising (RCW 19.355.020(2)).
“must conspicuously display on the business website and all advertising: (a) The number of the business license issued to it by the state”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
The alternative to a business license number is the state unified business identifier (RCW 19.355.020(2)(b)).
“(b) The state unified business identifier account number.”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
These rules do not apply where locksmith services are ancillary, such as roadside or towing businesses (RCW 19.355.020(3)).
“do not apply to businesses that provide locksmith services that are ancillary to their primary business, such as businesses that provide roadside or towing services.”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A violation of chapter 19.355 is an unfair or deceptive act under the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW (RCW 19.355.030).
“is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying chapter 19.86 RCW.”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Show 12 more facts
L&I's specialty contractor classification 'Locks, security alarms and warning systems' covers installing, maintaining and repairing locks and locking devices (WAC 296-200A-016(35), rules certified 7/8/2026).
“A contractor in this specialty sets up, installs, maintains and repairs all doors and door assemblies, gates, locks and locking devices”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Under RCW 18.27, a contractor is anyone who in an independent business undertakes to alter, repair or improve a building or other structure (RCW 18.27.010, certified 7/15/2026).
“construct, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, develop, move, wreck, or demolish any building”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Every contractor must register with L&I, and working as a contractor without registration is a gross misdemeanor (RCW 18.27.020).
“Every contractor shall register with the department. (2) It is a gross misdemeanor for any contractor to:”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Specialty contractors with no recent residential judgments post a $15,000 bond (WAC 296-200A-030, effective 7/1/24).
“(a) $30,000 for general contractors. (b) $15,000 for specialty contractors.”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Mountlake Terrace requires a city license to work as a locksmith or keymaker, separate from the business license (MTMC 5.60.020, Ord. 815 1972; Ord. 2764 2019).
“It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on the business, trade or occupation of a locksmith, or keymaker”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Mountlake Terrace locksmith applicants must prove qualifications and undergo a police record check with fingerprints (MTMC 5.60.100).
“All applicants for licenses as locksmiths shall be subject to complete police record check, including fingerprints.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Violating the Mountlake Terrace locksmith article is punishable by a fine of up to $100 (MTMC 5.60.090).
“upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.00.”
Source: ecode360.com · checked October 13, 2026
Olympia requires a city license to act as a locksmith or run a locksmith business (OMC 5.52.020, as amended by Ord. 7424, 2025).
“to act as a locksmith or to engage in business as a locksmith business in the City without first obtaining a license”
Source: codepublishing.com · checked October 13, 2026
Every Olympia locksmith and locksmith-business employee must carry a Police Department occupational permit (OMC 5.52.050).
“Every locksmith and employee of a locksmith business shall at all times have ... an occupational permit issued by the Police Department.”
Source: codepublishing.com · checked October 13, 2026
Since Ord. 7424 (2025), violating Olympia's locksmith chapter is a civil infraction, each day a separate infraction (OMC 5.52.080).
“It shall be a civil infraction for a person, firm, limited liability company or corporation to violate or fail to comply with any term”
Source: codepublishing.com · checked October 13, 2026
L&I's contractor registration fee is $150.20 for two years (WAC 296-200A-900, filed 5/5/26, effective 7/1/26).
“$150.20 for each issuance, renewal or reregistration of a certificate of registration for contractors.”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
A contractor registration period is two years (WAC 296-200A-035).
“A registration period is for two years per RCW 18.27.060(1).”
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked October 13, 2026
Sales tax on locksmith work in Washington
Rates, local taxes and how Washington treats labor and repair charges: sales tax facts for Washington.
Running a locksmith business in Washington 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.
Washington locksmith license questions
Do you need a license to be a locksmith in Washington?
No. Washington has no state locksmith license, but a 2015 law sets advertising rules for locksmith businesses. They must show a business license or state business identifier (UBI) number on their website and ads, and must not use a local phone number to hide where they are. Lock work on buildings can also require the state's contractor registration.
Do cities or counties in Washington license locksmiths?
Lacey, Mountlake Terrace, Olympia and Tumwater license locksmiths themselves. The details are in the city and county section below.
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 Washington 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.