Washington Locksmith Licensing & Legal Requirements (2026)

By Mohammad H. Abdelhadi, ALOA-Certified Master Locksmith, mobile automotive locksmith. Reviewed by Ray Obar, Master Locksmith. Updated June 2, 2026.

Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements are simpler than in many other states: Washington does not require a state-level locksmith license, certification, or registration to perform locksmith work for compensation. However, the state does impose specific advertising and disclosure obligations on locksmith businesses under RCW Chapter 19.355.

Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements: Is a License Required?

Washington is one of the majority of U.S. states that do not require an occupational license to work as a locksmith. There is no state locksmith license, no mandatory certification, and no state-administered exam or background check specific to the locksmith trade. Any individual may offer locksmith services — including lock installation, rekeying, safe work, and automotive key origination — without first obtaining a trade-specific credential from the state.

This means there is no state agency that issues or manages a “locksmith license” in this jurisdiction. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, which oversees many skilled-trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, etc.), does not administer locksmith licensing. Likewise, the Department of Licensing does not list locksmiths among its regulated professions.

Although a dedicated occupational license is not required, every person conducting business in Washington must comply with the state’s general business-registration requirements. A locksmith operating as a business — whether a sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation — must obtain a Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number through the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service. The UBI number serves as the business’s identity across multiple state agencies for tax, licensing, and employment purposes.

Current Issuing Authority for Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements

Because the state does not issue an occupational locksmith license, there is no single “issuing authority” for the trade. Instead, two state-level bodies are most relevant to locksmith businesses:

• Washington State Department of Revenue — Business Licensing Service: Issues the UBI number and general state business license that locksmith businesses must obtain. The application can be filed online through the My DOR portal, and processing typically takes about 10 business days.
• Washington State Attorney General: Enforces the locksmith-specific advertising rules codified in RCW Chapter 19.355 through the Consumer Protection Act (RCW Chapter 19.86).

Consumers and practitioners should understand that the absence of a locksmith license does not mean the trade is entirely unregulated. The rules in RCW 19.355 impose real obligations, and violations carry real consequences.

Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements: Advertising and Disclosure Rules Under RCW 19.355

Although Washington does not license locksmiths, the legislature enacted RCW Chapter 19.355 to address deceptive practices in the locksmith industry — particularly “locksmith scams” involving businesses that misrepresent their location. The statute contains two primary requirements:

Geographic-Location Transparency (RCW 19.355.020(1))

A person whose primary business is to provide locksmith services and who represents themselves to the public as a locksmith may not misrepresent their geographic location. Specifically, a locksmith business may not list a local telephone number or business name that implies a local presence if calls are routinely forwarded to a location outside that calling area — unless the listing conspicuously discloses the actual locality and state where the business is located. This rule targets lead-generation operations that advertise under local-sounding names but dispatch technicians from distant locations.

Business-License or UBI Number Display (RCW 19.355.020(2))

A locksmith business must conspicuously display on its website and in all advertising either the number of the business license issued by the state or a local government, or the state Unified Business Identifier (UBI) account number. This gives consumers a way to verify that the business is legitimately registered.

Exemption for Ancillary Services

These requirements do not apply to businesses that provide locksmith services ancillary to their primary business — for example, towing or roadside-assistance companies that occasionally unlock vehicles.

License Classes, Renewal, Bonding, and Insurance

Because Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements do not include an occupational license, there are no license classes (apprentice, journeyman, master, etc.), no renewal cycles, no state-mandated surety bond, and no state-required insurance specific to locksmithing. This stands in contrast to states like California, Illinois, and North Carolina, which impose detailed licensing frameworks on locksmiths.

That said, prudent business practice — and many commercial clients — may require a locksmith to carry general liability insurance. Industry organizations such as the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) offer voluntary certifications (Certified Registered Locksmith, Certified Professional Locksmith, Certified Master Locksmith) that can enhance credibility. These are private credentials, not state requirements.

Locksmith businesses must still renew their general state business license and any applicable city endorsements on the schedule set by the Department of Revenue. Businesses with city or state endorsements renew annually.

Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements: Penalties for Violations

While there is no penalty for “unlicensed locksmith practice” in Washington (because no license exists), violations of RCW 19.355.020 carry meaningful consequences. The legislature declared that the deceptive practices covered by RCW 19.355.020(1) are “matters vitally affecting the public interest” for purposes of the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA), codified at RCW Chapter 19.86.

This means the Attorney General may bring enforcement actions against locksmith businesses that misrepresent their location or fail to display their business-license or UBI number. Under the CPA framework, remedies can include:

• Injunctive relief ordering the business to stop the deceptive practice.
• Restitution to affected consumers.
• Civil penalties of up to $125,000 per violation of an injunction.
• Private lawsuits by injured consumers to recover actual damages, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees.

Separately, Washington’s general criminal code is relevant to locksmith tool possession. Under RCW 9A.52.060, possessing lock picks or similar tools “under circumstances evincing an intent” to commit burglary is a gross misdemeanor. Legitimate locksmiths are not targeted by this statute, but because no state license exists to prove one’s professional status, practitioners should carry documentation (business license, UBI confirmation, invoices) that evidences their lawful trade.

City and Local Variations in Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements

Although the state imposes no occupational locksmith license, individual cities in Washington retain the authority to regulate trades through local ordinances. Some municipalities have enacted locksmith-specific requirements that go well beyond state law. Before working in a particular city, locksmith businesses should check for local rules.

A notable example is the city of Mountlake Terrace, which maintains a local locksmith licensing ordinance (Chapter 5.60 of the Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code). Under that ordinance, it is unlawful to carry on the business of a locksmith or keymaker within city limits without a local license. Applicants must furnish documentary proof of qualification and submit to a police record check, including fingerprints. Licensed locksmiths must maintain an inventory list of specialized equipment and display their license prominently. Violations may result in fines of up to $100 and license revocation by the City Manager on the recommendation of the Chief of Police.

Many Washington cities — including Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane — require a general city business license or endorsement on the state business license for any commercial activity conducted within city boundaries. These are general business licenses, not locksmith-specific permits, but operating without one can result in fines or orders to cease business. Companies like Low Rate Locksmith that serve multiple jurisdictions should verify endorsement requirements in each city where they operate.

Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements: Summary Table

Documentation Consumers Should Expect From a Locksmith Service

Because the state does not issue a locksmith license, consumers in Washington cannot ask to see one. However, there are other steps consumers can take to verify a locksmith’s legitimacy before or during a service call:

• UBI or business-license number: Under RCW 19.355.020(2), a locksmith business must display this number on its website and advertising. Consumers can verify the number using the Department of Revenue’s business-lookup tool.
• Written estimate or invoice: Requesting a written estimate before work begins and a detailed invoice afterward protects both parties and creates a record of the transaction.
• Vehicle and uniform identification: Reputable locksmith companies, including Low Rate Locksmith, typically arrive in marked vehicles and can present a company ID. This is not a legal requirement but is a widely recognized indicator of professionalism.
• Voluntary certifications: ALOA credentials (CRL, CPL, CML) demonstrate that a locksmith has met industry training and experience benchmarks, even though the state does not mandate them.
• City license (where applicable): If the work is performed in a municipality that requires a local locksmith license, the practitioner should be able to present that credential upon request.

Washington Locksmith Licensing and Legal Requirements place the burden of due diligence partly on the consumer. In a state with no occupational licensing barrier, the advertising-transparency rules of RCW 19.355 and the consumer’s own verification steps are the primary safeguards against fraud.