Locksmith

A locksmith is any individual who performs locksmith services, or advertises or represents to the general public that the individual is a locksmith even if the specific term locksmith is substituted with any other term by which a reasonable person could construe that the individual possesses special skills relating to locks or locking devices. This includes words such as lock technician, lockman, safe technician, safeman, boxman, unlocking technician, lock installer, lock opener, physical security technician, or similar descriptions.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Must be 18 years of age or older.
  2. Successful completion of all initial training requirements for each registration category, including a firearms endorsement if applicable.
  3. Must be United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States.

Training  Requirements

18 Hours, Consisting of:

Registration Steps

  1. Apply online at https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/licensure-and-regulatory-affairs/online-regulatory-licensing, and pay applicable non-refundable fees.
    NOTE: A Criminal History Processing form is part of the on-line initial application. There is a separate processing fee that will be reflected on your invoice.
     
  2. Schedule an appointment for fingerprints.  Schedule an appointment at www.fieldprintvirginia.com or call 877-614-4364.  DCJS will automatically be notified once you have been fingerprinted.

Additional On-line Applications

  1. Individuals already registered with DCJS who wish to add categories to his/her current registration must:
  • Complete the requirements for an Additional Registration Category. 
  • Successfully complete all initial training requirements for each additional registration category.
  • The Additional Registration Category list can be found at www.dcjs.virginia.gov/online.
     
  1. Current registered individual who have lost their registration card may apply for a replacement one at www.dcjs.virginia.gov/online, and pay the applicable replacement fee.
     
  2. Individuals convicted or found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor (not to include minor traffic violations) in Virginia or any other jurisdiction to include military court martial or currently under protective orders must submit a Criminal History Supplemental Form. For more information, view the Criminal History page.
     
  3. Certain training exemptions may be granted for required training courses. Refer to the Regulations related to the area of interest to check the eligibility for a training exemption.

NOTE:  You may be eligible to waive a portion of your entry-level training if you have completed certain private security services training or if you are a qualified law enforcement officer.

Before a registration will be issued, individuals must complete all required training for each category of their registration.

Training Requirements

4 Hours, Consisting of:

Renewal Steps

  1. Renew online at www.dcjs.virginia.gov/online, and pay applicable non-refundable fees.
  2. Completion of in-service training. The school will submit a roster – please do not send your training completion form to DCIS.

Before a registration will be issued, individuals must complete all required training for each category of their registration.

“Locksmith” means any individual that performs locksmith services, or advertises or represents to the general public that the individual is a locksmith even if the specific term locksmith is substituted with any other term by which a reasonable person could construe that the individual possesses special skills relating to locks or locking devices, including use of the words lock technician, lockman, safe technician, safeman, boxman, unlocking technician, lock installer, lock opener, physical security technician or similar descriptions. 

"Locksmith services" mean selling; servicing; rebuilding; repairing; rekeying; repining; changing the combination to an electronic or mechanical locking device; programming either keys to a device or the device to accept electronic controlled keys; originating keys for locks or copying keys; adjusting or installing locks or deadbolts, mechanical or electronic locking devices, egress control devices, safes, and vaults; or opening, defeating or bypassing locks or latching mechanisms in a manner other than intended by the manufacturer with or without compensation for the general public or on property not his own nor under his own control or authority.

No. A locksmith can work for 90 consecutive days while completing the compulsory minimum training requirements, provided your fingerprints were submitted on or before their date of hire and your employer provides you with a 90 day authorization document.  This document along with a photo ID must be carried on duty while performing regulated services until a temporary or permanent registration is issued.

No. A locksmith may work for up to 90 consecutive days while completing the compulsory minimum training requirements, provided their fingerprints were submitted on or before their date of hire and they are employed by a Private Security Services company licensed by DCJS to provide locksmith services. 

18 hours -- 25E Locksmith entry level training (18 hours) 

4 hours - 25I Locksmith In-Service (4 hours)