Locksmith / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Locksmith License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Installs, repairs, and opens locks. Licensed in ~15 states.

What the Illinois data shows for Locksmiths

Illinois sets the entry bar for locksmiths at board-approved training and a passing score on a state-approved exam. The credential is administered under Illinois's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Experience/Apprenticeship".

The initial price tag is $150 every 2 years. Illinois doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Illinois evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Locksmith · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$150
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Experience/Apprenticeship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Not Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Locksmith All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Locksmith in Illinois? ▼
Illinois's requirements cover, a state exam, and an initial fee of $150.
How do I get certified as a Locksmith in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed locksmith in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Locksmith license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Out-of-state locksmith credentials get a case-by-case review in Illinois rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Illinois licensing board.
Does Illinois require a background check for Locksmith licensing? ▼
No statewide background-check mandate applies to locksmith licensing in Illinois at this time - individual employers may still run their own screening.

Related Guides

What to do with this locksmith license

Locksmith in Illinois is one requirement row in a locksmith-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Illinois's locksmith requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Locksmith in every state
  • Read the general portability rules before moving an existing license to a new state. Transfer guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.