Local Guide · Locksmiths · Texas
How do you check a locksmith's license in Texas?
Texas licenses locksmith companies and individual locksmiths through DPS. Here is what counts as a locksmith company, how to search TOPS and what landlords must do about locks.
Texas locksmith companies and individual locksmiths are licensed by the Department of Public Safety's Private Security Program. Search both on DPS's TOPS license search using the Locksmith license type. Renters have extra protection: landlords must rekey within seven days after each tenant turnover at their own expense.
Who licenses locksmiths providers in Texas
Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security Program. Under Occupations Code 1702.1056, a locksmith company is a business that sells, installs, services or maintains mechanical security devices such as deadbolts and locks, or advertises or names itself as a locksmith. Individuals employed as locksmiths need an individual license under 1702.221 and must work for a licensed company. Search companies and individuals on DPS's TOPS site and filter by the Locksmith license type.
Check a license →Key facts for Texas
- Texas treats anyone who sells, installs, services or maintains mechanical security devices such as deadbolts and locks as a locksmith company.
- A Texas business that advertises using the word locksmith, or includes it in its name, is a locksmith company under state law.
- Texas's locksmith company definition does not apply to hotels.
- Texas requires individuals employed as locksmiths to hold an individual license and be employed by a licensed company.
- DPS's TOPS license search can filter results by the Locksmith license type.
- Texas landlords must rekey security devices within seven days after each tenant turnover, at the landlord's expense.
- Texas landlords must provide a keyless bolting device and a door viewer on each exterior door at their own expense, with limited exceptions.
What counts as a locksmith company in Texas?
Occupations Code 1702.1056 covers anyone who sells, installs, services or maintains mechanical security devices like deadbolts and locks. It also covers any business that advertises with the word locksmith or uses it in the company name. Hotels are exempt.
Alarm companies are different. They can install wireless-activated locks and access control, but Texas law says they may not rekey a keyed device (1702.105).
How do you check a Texas locksmith?
Search the company and the individual on DPS's TOPS license search, filtering by the Locksmith license type. Texas requires individuals employed as locksmiths to hold their own license and work for a licensed company (1702.221). Ask the person at your door for their license.
What do Texas landlords owe renters?
Under Property Code 92.153, landlords must provide window latches, keyed deadbolts or doorknob locks, sliding door pin locks and handle latches or security bars, keyless bolting devices and door viewers, at their own expense, with limited exceptions.
Under 92.156, they must rekey key, card or combination devices within seven days after each tenant turnover, at their own expense. Extra rekeying a tenant asks for is the tenant's cost.
How to choose a provider in Texas
- Search the company and the locksmith on TOPS.
- Ask for the total price in writing before work starts.
- Ask why drilling is needed before agreeing to it.
- Get an itemized invoice.
- If you rent, ask your landlord to confirm the rekey after move-in.
- For smart locks, confirm who installs and who can rekey keyed parts.
Questions people ask
Who licenses locksmiths in Texas?
The Department of Public Safety's Private Security Program.
How do I verify a Texas locksmith?
Search DPS's TOPS license search for the company and the individual, using the Locksmith license type.
Does a locksmith employee need a license in Texas?
Yes. Individuals employed as locksmiths need an individual license and must work for a licensed company.
How soon must my Texas landlord rekey?
Within seven days after each tenant turnover, at the landlord's expense.
Who pays if I want extra rekeying?
The tenant. Texas law says tenant-requested additional rekeying is at the tenant's expense.
Are hotels covered by Texas locksmith law?
No. The locksmith company definition does not apply to hotels.
Sources
- Texas Occupations Code 1702.1056, locksmith company
- Texas Occupations Code 1702.221, individual licenses
- Texas Occupations Code 1702.105, alarm systems company
- Texas DPS, Texas Online Private Security (TOPS) license search
- Texas Property Code 92.153, security devices required
- Texas Property Code 92.156, rekeying after tenant turnover
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.
