What changed
For years Miami-Dade County ran its own locksmith licensing program under a county ordinance. It included background checks and fingerprinting, and it required license numbers on work orders. Broward and Hillsborough had programs too. Florida has never had a statewide locksmith license.
In 2021 the Legislature passed a law preempting occupational licensing to the state (s. 163.211, Florida Statutes). Local licenses that already existed were allowed to continue until July 1, 2025, and then expired. Miami-Dade confirms it no longer issues locksmith licenses and no longer has regulatory authority over locksmiths.
So as of 2026 there is no state, county or city locksmith license in Miami-Dade or Broward. A proposed statewide licensing bill has been introduced in the past but, as far as we can find, hasn't become law. Check before relying on that, because it could change.
What that means for you
No license means the county is no longer screening who can call themselves a locksmith. If a website says "state licensed locksmith" in Florida, it's describing a license that doesn't exist, and a business willing to invent that is telling you something about itself.
What still protects you: Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (Chapter 501, Part II) still applies to locksmiths. It covers deceptive advertising, bait-and-switch pricing and misrepresenting qualifications, and county consumer protection offices still take complaints.
How to vet a locksmith now
- Real business name. Look it up on the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) and check it's an active entity.
- Real reviews on the business's own Google profile, with names, details and owner replies, not just a star number on their website.
- A total price on the phone, not a "service call starting at."
- Insurance, if it matters to you. For commercial jobs especially, ask for a certificate of insurance. A real business can send one.
- They ask for your proof of ownership before opening anything.
- Itemized, written invoice with the business name and address.
- Voluntary credentials, such as membership in a trade association, can be a good sign. Ask for the member number and check it.
Our locksmith scam guide lists the warning signs in detail.
What we tell customers
We don't claim a license that doesn't exist. What we offer instead is what you can check: a real business, the price before we work, proof of ownership checked every time, and an itemized invoice with our name on it.
House & Apartment Lockout across Broward and Palm Beach County. We quote before we start.