This is one of the most common questions I get from people looking at the trade, and it deserves a straight answer: yes, many people with a felony record do become locksmiths, but whether you can depends on your state, the kind of conviction, how long ago it was, and who you want to work for. In some states nobody licenses locksmiths at all. In others, a state board runs a fingerprint background check and decides case by case. A few states have firm waiting periods or bars for certain offenses.
Locksmiths are trusted with keys, homes, cars and safes. That is why the rules lean careful. But a record is not automatically the end of the road. Here is how it really works, with real examples from state law, and what to do before you spend money on training.
Quick note: this is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, and your exact record matters. Always confirm with your state’s licensing agency before you apply.
Why the answer depends on your state
There is no national locksmith license in the U.S. Each state decides for itself. As of our latest review, about a dozen states license or register locksmiths at the state level, including Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Virginia. Some places regulate locally instead: Nevada requires a permit from the county sheriff, and New York City requires a city locksmith license. The full list is on our locksmith license requirements by state page.
That splits the felony question into two very different situations:
- Licensed states: a state agency usually takes your fingerprints and checks state and FBI records. The agency, not the employer, decides whether your record is disqualifying, and the law usually spells out how.
- States without a statewide license (for example Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania): there may be no state background check for ordinary mechanical lock work. The real gatekeepers are employers, customers, insurers and sometimes city or county rules. Some local codes add their own background checks for locksmith businesses, so always check the city where you will work.
Real examples from state law
Here is how five licensed states handle criminal history. I picked them because their rules are clearly written and show how much the approach varies.
Texas: waiting periods set by rule
Texas licenses locksmiths through the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security Program. Every applicant gets a fingerprint-based state and FBI criminal history check under Texas Occupations Code §1702.282. DPS rule 37 Texas Administrative Code §35.4 lists the offense categories it treats as related to the job, such as theft, burglary, fraud, assault and robbery. Under that rule, a felony conviction for a listed offense is disqualifying for 10 years from the date the sentence was completed. Some offenses, including burglary of a habitation and sexually violent offenses, are permanently disqualifying, subject to Chapter 53 of the Occupations Code. A felony that does not relate to the job is disqualifying for 5 years. Pending charges for a disqualifying offense also block a license. DPS holds hearings where you can present evidence of rehabilitation. See our Texas locksmith license guide for the full process.
California: a seven-year look-back for most crimes
California licenses locksmith companies and registers locksmith employees through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), with Live Scan fingerprints sent to the California DOJ and the FBI. Under Business and Professions Code §480, a board generally can deny a license for a conviction only if it is substantially related to the job and happened within the past seven years (or you were released from incarceration for it within seven years). Serious felonies and crimes that require sex-offender registration are exceptions to the seven-year limit. The same law says you cannot be denied based on a conviction that was dismissed or expunged, or if you hold a certificate of rehabilitation or a pardon. Details are in our California guide.
Illinois: read both the statute and the agency FAQ
Illinois licenses locksmiths through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The licensing law, 225 ILCS 447/30-10, says an applicant must not have been convicted of a felony unless at least 10 years have passed since full discharge from the sentence. IDFPR’s own FAQ on criminal convictions says sex-offender registration is an absolute bar for a locksmith license and that other convictions are considered as part of its review. IDFPR also says applicants do not need to disclose sealed or expunged convictions. Because those two sources read differently, ask IDFPR directly about your situation. One more Illinois detail: the locksmith licensing section is scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029 unless the legislature extends it. Until then, a license is still required. See our Illinois guide.
North Carolina: no automatic bar, case-by-case review
In North Carolina, the Locksmith Licensing Board runs criminal history checks on both license applicants and apprentices (G.S. 74F-18). The statute says plainly that a conviction shall not automatically bar licensure. The Board weighs seven factors: how serious the crime was, when it happened, your age at the time, the circumstances, how it relates to locksmith work, your record since (prison, probation, rehabilitation and work history), and whether you have reoffended. If you are denied, you have the right to appear before the Board. See our North Carolina guide.
Virginia: a felony bar, with a waiver you can request
Virginia registers locksmiths through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Code of Virginia §9.1-139(K) says a person with any felony conviction, or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, assault and battery, property damage, controlled substances, prohibited sexual behavior or firearms, cannot be registered or employed by a private security services business. But the same section lets you ask the DCJS Director for a waiver in writing, and the decision must be given in writing within 30 days, with reasons. See our Virginia guide.
What to do before you spend money on training
If you have a record and want into this trade, do the homework first. It costs a lot less than a course you cannot use.
- Get your actual record. Pull your court dispositions and know exactly what you were convicted of, the level of each offense, and when your sentence ended. Applications ask for specifics.
- Look into sealing or expungement. Several states treat dismissed, sealed or expunged convictions differently. California and Illinois both say so in their rules. A legal aid office or reentry program can tell you if you qualify.
- Ask the licensing agency before you apply. Call or email the board and ask how your type of conviction is handled. Some states offer a formal pre-application review. Get the answer in writing if you can.
- Be honest on every application. If a form asks about convictions, answer fully. Leaving something off that shows up on the fingerprint check is often treated more harshly than the conviction itself.
- Collect proof of who you are now. Steady work history, completed programs, letters from employers or probation officers, and proof that fines and restitution are paid. Texas DPS, for example, lists these as evidence to bring to a hearing.
- Talk to employers early. Even in states with no license, many shops, institutions and commercial clients run their own checks. Some will give a fair chance to the right person who is upfront.
If your state does not license locksmiths
In a no-license state, you will not face a state board, but you still have to earn trust. Start by working under an experienced locksmith, keep your paperwork clean, and build a reputation one job at a time. If you go out on your own later, know that some insurance and bonding companies ask about criminal history, so ask before you buy. Our locksmith insurance and bonding guide explains what each type of coverage does.
Frequently asked questions
Can you be a locksmith with a felony?
Often, yes, but it depends on the state, the offense and how long ago it was. Some states have no locksmith license at all. Others, like Texas, California, Illinois, North Carolina and Virginia, review criminal history under specific rules. Always check with your state board.
Can a felon get a locksmith license in Texas?
Possibly. Under Texas DPS rule 37 TAC §35.4, a felony for a listed job-related offense is disqualifying for 10 years after the sentence is completed, and some offenses, such as burglary of a habitation, are permanently disqualifying. Unrelated felonies are disqualifying for 5 years. Contact Texas DPS Private Security about your specific record.
Do locksmiths have to pass a background check?
In states that license or register locksmiths, usually yes, with fingerprints checked against state and FBI records. In states without a license, there may be no state check, but employers and some cities run their own.
Will an expunged or sealed record count against me?
It depends on the state. California law says a license cannot be denied based on a dismissed or expunged conviction, and Illinois IDFPR says sealed and expunged convictions do not need to be disclosed. Check your own state’s rules.
Can I become a locksmith apprentice with a criminal record?
Sometimes. In North Carolina, apprentice applicants go through the same criminal history check as license applicants. In states without a license, it is up to the employer. Being upfront with a potential mentor usually goes further than hiding it.
Who should I contact to find out for sure?
The state agency that licenses locksmiths in your state, such as Texas DPS, California BSIS, Illinois IDFPR, the North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board or Virginia DCJS. Our state pages link to each official source.
Sources
- Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702 (Private Security Act), §§1702.113, 1702.282
- Texas DPS Private Security Administrative Rules, 37 TAC §35.4
- Texas DPS Private Security hearings
- California Business and Professions Code §480
- California BSIS: locksmiths
- 225 ILCS 447/30-10 (Illinois locksmith qualifications; scheduled repeal January 1, 2029)
- IDFPR Locksmith page (see its Criminal Conviction FAQs)
- North Carolina G.S. 74F-18
- Code of Virginia §9.1-139
- Official sources reviewed October 19, 2026.
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