Do locksmiths have to be licensed to rekey house locks?
It depends on where you live. Some states license or register locksmiths through a state agency, others leave it to cities or counties, and some do not regulate the trade at all.
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The rule is set by your state or city, so check with them. One Call Locksmiths is a referral and scheduling service. It holds no license itself and claims none. It arranges the visit with an independent locksmith, who does the work.
Why the answer differs from place to place
Each state decides whether to regulate the trade, and where a state does not, a city or county may. That is why a neighbor two states away may hear something quite different from what applies to you.
Where a license or registration exists, it is held by the locksmith, not by the company that books the appointment. So the useful question is what your state or city asks of the person who comes to your door. A locksmith can tell you what applies to them in your area.
A new home is a common reason to rekey. A previous owner, a contractor, a former tenant or a letting agent may still hold a working key, and nobody can know how many copies exist. Rekeying makes all of those old keys useless. The summer moving season is when this work stacks up, so it is worth booking rather than leaving it.
What you can check yourself
- Look up your state's ruleSearch for your state's agency that handles locksmith licensing, or contact your city or county office. They can tell you whether a license or registration is required where you live.
- Ask the locksmith directlyWhen the visit is arranged, ask what license or registration applies to the locksmith in your area, if any. Where one is required, the locksmith can tell you about it.
- Count your exterior doorsNote the front door, back door, garage side door, and any gate or shed. A full list lets the locksmith give an accurate estimate.
- Gather your household's needsWork out how many keys each person needs. Keys are cut for everyone in the household as part of the job.
When to call a locksmith
If you have just moved in and want the locks changed, call and describe the doors involved. We arrange the visit with an independent locksmith. Call (866) 690-5848. The estimate is free on every job. The locksmith looks at the locks, gives you the price, and work starts only once you agree to it.
If you are also locked out, the locksmith asks for identification and proof that you are entitled to enter the home before opening anything. A driver's license showing the address, a lease, a utility bill, or a neighbor or manager who can confirm it will do. This check is also why this page cannot work as a how-to. It protects you as the occupant.
What the locksmith will do
- Rekey every exterior lock to one new keyEach exterior lock is set to a single new key, so you carry one key for the whole house.
- Replace worn or mismatched hardwareWhere a lock is worn out or does not match the others, it is replaced rather than rekeyed.
- Include the garage side door, gates and shedsSecondary doors and outbuildings can be done on the same visit, so no old key is left working.
- Make the old keys uselessOnce the work is done, keys held by previous owners, contractors or tenants no longer work.
- Cut keys for everyone in the householdNew keys are cut for each person who needs one before the locksmith leaves.
Related questions
- Is rekeying the same as changing the locks?
- Not quite. Rekeying keeps the existing lock hardware and makes it work with a new key, so old keys stop working. Changing means fitting new locks. A locksmith can do either, or replace only the locks that are worn or mismatched.
- How much does rekeying a house cost?
- It depends on the lock type, how many doors need doing, the time of day, any parts needed, and how many keys are cut. The estimate is free, and the locksmith gives the price before any work starts.
- Should I rekey as soon as I move in?
- It is a sensible first job, since you cannot know who still holds a key. Summer is the busy moving season, so it helps to book rather than wait.
- Will I need to show identification for a rekey?
- On any lockout, the locksmith checks identification and proof that you are entitled to enter before opening anything. Having a lease, a utility bill or a driver's license with the address to hand makes it quick.
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