Locksmith / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina Locksmith License Requirements

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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

What the North Carolina data shows for Locksmiths

North Carolina's path to locksmith licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam. North Carolina folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Experience/Apprenticeship".

Upfront cost is $150 on a 2-year cycle. North Carolina doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

There's no published reciprocity list here - North Carolina reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Locksmith · North Carolina

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 North Carolina

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
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Locksmith in North Carolina?
North Carolina's requirements cover, a state exam, and an initial fee of $150.
How do I get certified as a Locksmith in North Carolina?
To become a licensed locksmith in North Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the North Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Locksmith license to North Carolina from another state?
Out-of-state locksmith credentials get a case-by-case review in North Carolina rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the North Carolina licensing board.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Locksmith licensing?
North Carolina does not currently require a criminal background check for locksmith licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.

What to do with this locksmith license

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

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Carolina 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.