How do you choose a locksmith you can trust?

In Texas, locksmith companies and individual locksmiths must be licensed by the Department of Public Safety's Private Security Program, and you can check both on DPS's TOPS search. Florida has no state locksmith license, and local locksmith licensing ended July 1, 2025, so get written estimates, an itemized invoice and identification before work starts.

Key facts

• Texas treats anyone who sells, installs, services or maintains mechanical security devices such as deadbolts and locks as a locksmith company.
• Texas also treats a business as a locksmith company if it advertises with the word locksmith or uses it in the company name.
• Texas requires individuals employed as locksmiths to hold an individual license and work for a licensed company.
• Texas landlords must rekey security devices at their own expense within seven days after each tenant turnover.
• Florida law expired local occupational licensing that predated 2021 on July 1, 2025, and Miami-Dade County says its locksmith licensing was preempted to the state on that date.
• A 2025 Florida bill to create a state locksmith license died in a House subcommittee on June 16, 2025.
• Texas law says an alarm systems company may not rekey a device that works with a key.

How are locksmiths licensed?

In Texas, locksmiths fall under the Private Security Act. A business is a locksmith company if it sells, installs, services or maintains mechanical security devices like deadbolts and locks, advertises as a locksmith, or uses the word in its name (Occupations Code 1702.1056). Individuals employed as locksmiths need their own license and must work for a licensed company (1702.221).

Florida has no state locksmith license. Some counties used to license locksmiths, but Florida law ended local occupational licensing that predated 2021 on July 1, 2025 (Florida Statutes 163.211). A 2025 bill to create a state license died in committee.

How do you check a locksmith?

In Texas, search the company and the locksmith on DPS's TOPS license search, which can filter by the Locksmith license type.

In Florida, there is no license to look up. Miami-Dade County's long-standing advice still applies: get more than one written estimate, don't choose on price alone, ask for an invoice listing the services performed, never sign a blank form, and ask to see identification (county tips).

What should you ask before work starts?

Ask for the business's legal name and street address, not just a phone number, and look it up. Ask for the total price in writing before the locksmith begins. If the locksmith says the lock must be drilled and replaced, ask why before you agree. When the job is done, get an itemized invoice.

What do landlords owe tenants?

Texas spells it out. Landlords must provide window latches, keyed deadbolts or doorknob locks, door viewers, keyless bolting devices and sliding door locks at their own expense (Property Code 92.153). They must rekey within seven days after each tenant turnover, also at their expense (92.156).

Florida law requires landlords of dwellings other than single-family homes and duplexes to make reasonable provisions for locks and keys, unless otherwise agreed in writing (Florida Statutes 83.51).

How to choose a provider

• In Texas, look up the company and the locksmith on DPS's TOPS search.
• Ask for the business's legal name and address, not just a phone number.
• Get the total price in writing before work starts.
• Ask why drilling is needed before you agree to it.
• Ask to see identification when the locksmith arrives.
• Get an itemized invoice and never sign a blank form.
• If you rent in Texas, ask your landlord to rekey after move-in as the law requires.

Locksmiths guides by state and city

• Florida
• Texas

Questions people ask

Do locksmiths need a license in Texas?

Yes. Texas DPS licenses locksmith companies, and individuals employed as locksmiths need their own license.

Do locksmiths need a license in Florida?

Florida has no state locksmith license. Local locksmith licensing that predated 2021 expired July 1, 2025, under Florida Statutes 163.211.

Is Miami-Dade still licensing locksmiths?

No. Miami-Dade County says local licensing of locksmiths and locksmith businesses was preempted to the state effective July 1, 2025.

Does my Texas landlord have to rekey my locks?

Yes. Texas landlords must rekey within seven days after each tenant turnover, at the landlord's expense.

Can an alarm company rekey my locks in Texas?

No. Texas law says an alarm systems company may not rekey a device that works with a key.

What should I get in writing from a locksmith?

The business name, the total price before work starts and an itemized invoice afterward. Never sign a blank form.

Sources

• Texas Occupations Code 1702.1056, locksmith company
• Texas Occupations Code 1702.221, individual licenses
• Texas DPS, Texas Online Private Security (TOPS) license search
• Texas Property Code 92.156, rekeying after tenant turnover
• Texas Property Code 92.153, security devices required
• Florida Statutes 163.211, licensing of occupations preempted to state
• Florida House Bill 1311 (2025), Licensing and Regulating Locksmith Services Businesses
• Miami-Dade County, Consumer Protection
• Miami-Dade County, Locksmith Services
• Florida Statutes 83.51, landlord's obligation to maintain premises
• Texas Occupations Code 1702.105, alarm systems company

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.