How to choose a locksmith and avoid scams
Most locksmiths are honest tradespeople. The trouble is that you usually search while locked out, on a phone, in a hurry, and that is when look-alike listings and call centers do best. This guide sets out what to check before you agree to a job. Every factual claim names its source and date.
Before you call
- Choose one before you need one. The Federal Trade Commission advises vetting a locksmith in advance, as you would a plumber or an electrician, and saving the number in your phone (FTC press release, 30 May 2008).
- Look for a business that is actually local. The same FTC release warns that some businesses in directory ads may not be local at all, and that some locksmiths lack professional training.
- Check the street address. Look it up on a map. A listing with no street address, or one that sits in a different city from the one named, deserves a second look.
On the phone
- Ask for the business name when they answer. A generic greeting such as “locksmith services” is a warning sign.
- Ask for the total price, not just a service fee or a “from” price, and ask what could change it.
- Ask for the technician’s name and the vehicle they will arrive in.
- Ask whether they hold a license where your state requires one, and write down the number.
When the technician arrives
- Ask for photo identification and a business card. Compare the name with the one you were given on the phone.
- Get a written estimate before work begins, and do not sign a blank form.
- Be wary of anyone who says at once that your lock must be drilled or replaced. Many standard lockouts can be opened without damage.
- Ask for an itemized invoice and a receipt that carries the business name and address.
- If the price is far above the quote, you may decline the work. Do not pay in cash only because you are pushed to.
Which states license locksmiths
There is no single national locksmith license. According to Locksmith Ledger (1 September 2025), these 13 states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Virginia.
- The same article says Nebraska and Tennessee repealed their licensing requirements in 2021.
- It says Illinois licensing is due to end in January 2029.
- Details differ. Nevada’s requirement is a county sheriff permit, and Maryland licenses businesses rather than individuals.
- Outside these states, a city or county may still require a business license. Some cities and counties, such as New York City, have their own locksmith licensing.
Laws change. Before you rely on a license, confirm it with the state licensing authority, not with the business. We do not check licenses and we do not show any “licensed” label on listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is this site a locksmith company?
No. Pink Locksmiths Directory is an independent directory. We do not dispatch workers and we do not take a share of jobs. See the about page.
Does a listing here mean the locksmith is licensed or vetted?
No. Listings come from public Google Maps data. Check licensing and reviews yourself using the steps above.
What should I do if I think I was overcharged?
Keep the invoice and any quote you were given. You can report a scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and you can also contact your state attorney general’s consumer protection office. If you paid by card, ask your card issuer whether the charge can be disputed.
Can I find a locksmith in my state or city?
Yes. Start from the home page, pick your state, then your city. Pages for emergency, automotive and other services are listed by state and city.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, “FTC Urges Consumers to Use Caution When Seeking a Locksmith”, 30 May 2008: ftc.gov.
- Emily Pike, “A License to Unlock”, Locksmith Ledger, 1 September 2025: locksmithledger.com.
Last reviewed 21 October 2026.