Locksmith / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Locksmith License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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

What the Virginia data shows for Locksmiths

Becoming a licensed locksmith in Virginia means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on a state-approved exam. Virginia regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Experience/Apprenticeship".

Upfront cost is $150 on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Virginia, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Virginia 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 · Virginia

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 Virginia

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 Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Locksmith in Virginia?
Virginia requires, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $150.
How do I get certified as a Locksmith in Virginia?
Virginia licenses locksmiths who complete its requirements and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Virginia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Locksmith license to Virginia from another state?
Virginia doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for locksmiths; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Virginia licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Virginia require a background check for Locksmith licensing?
Virginia doesn't condition locksmith licensure on a criminal background check, though employers in the field may impose their own screening requirements.

What to do with this locksmith license

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

  • See how Virginia'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 Virginia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Virginia overview

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