- Plan for a trade exam.
Do you need a state license in North Carolina?
North Carolina licenses locksmith work at the state level through the North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
The North Carolina license for this work
There is one license to aim for here.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | An apprenticeship designation from the board while you learn |
Steps to get licensed in North Carolina
- Apply online or on paper to the Locksmith Licensing Board.
- Study for and pass the licensing exam.
- Get your license before you offer locksmith services.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
The license to apply for. Locksmith license.
North Carolina locksmith exams
Trade exam. Yes, a licensing exam. The board sells a study guide for $45.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in North Carolina
The board lists one fee for this license. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam study guide (optional) | $45 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a locksmith near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board and the official pages below, checked October 9, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.