Do you want to become a locksmith in Nevada, US? How to become a locksmith in Nevada and get licensed as a locksmith? Different states in the US have their own rules and licensing requirements. Let’s see how you can become a Nevada locksmith, get the necessary locksmith training course in Nevada accredited locksmith schools, and finally get a Nevada locksmith license.
In the state of Nevada, there is no common locksmith licensing system that applies in the entire state. Each county in Nevada has its own rules and regulations for locksmith business license.
To obtain a locksmith license, you need to submit an application with your local county’s sheriff’s office. The requirements for obtaining a locksmith license will vary depending n your county and whether you are an individual or a business.
In this article, we will focus on the biggest counties of Nevada — Clark County (Las Vegas) & Washoe County (Reno) — and learn the requirements for becoming a licensed locksmith in these counties in Nevada. This guide will try to provide you general idea for becoming a locksmith in other cities in Nevada.
Nevada: Who is a Locksmith?
According to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), a “locksmith” means a person whose occupation consists of making, repairing or adjusting locks; or operating locks by mechanical means other than those intended by the manufacturers of the locks.
How to Get Locksmith Training in Nevada?
For locksmith training, you can find online locksmith schools and locksmith training schools that provide classroom courses. You can get certifications from ALOA that are widely recognized in the US. In general, the state of Nevada has no rule for locksmith training. Anyone can become a locksmith after obtaining a license from their county.
Here are some of the popular locksmith courses.
- Basic Locksmithing Course
- Certified Licensed Locksmith (CLL)
- Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL)
- Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL)
- Certified Master Locksmith (CML)
How to Find Locksmith School in Nevada?
Anyone looking to work as a locksmith in Nevada should acquire knowledge of the trade.
Locksmith certificate and diploma courses are available through community colleges, vocational schools, and locksmith trade associations.
Try to find a local locksmith school in your city in Nevada. Check local phone directories, yellow pages and online directories for locksmith training courses near you. You can also seek guidance from your local friendly locksmith.
Locksmith schools are few in numbers, and not present in every city. You should expand your search and try to find a good trade school near you in Nevada and nearby states. You can also enroll in an online locksmith course to get a formal training in the locksmith trade.
As an alternative to locksmith training, an aspiring locksmith can also work as an apprenticeship under an experienced locksmith. Even if you learn the trade as an apprentice, you should consider obtaining locksmith certification from recognized trade schools and organizations.
How to Get a Locksmith License in Nevada?
As mentioned, each county in Nevada has its own rules for issuing locksmith licenses. You can learn about the requirements for starting a new business in your county at nvsilverflume.gov/checklist or refer to the link list for your county at business.nv.gov
How to Get Locksmith License in Clark County?
Clark County is the largest county in Nevada, with La Vegas being its main city. As determined by the Nevada legislature, each county determines its own rules and requirements for locksmith license.
So how do you become a locksmith in Clark County (and Las Vegas)? How do you obtain a locksmith business license and work in Las Vegas or anywhere else in Clark County?
Here’s the process for obtaining a locksmith business license in Clark County.
Before you start the process, you will need to find your jurisdiction in Clark County for your business registration and licensing.
Clark County has six jurisdictions, each with its own licensing agency.
- City of Boulder City: 702-293-9250 (7:00 am – 6:00 pm, M-Th)
- Clark County: (702) 455-0174 (7:30 am – 5:30 pm, M-Th)
- City of Henderson: 702-267-1730 (7:30 am – 5:30 pm, M-Th)
- City of Las Vegas: 702-229-6281 (7:00 am – 5:30 pm, M-Th)
- City of Mesquite: 702-346-2835 ext. 3305 (8:00 am – 4:30 pm, M-Th; 8:00 am – 1:30 pm, F)
- City of North Las Vegas: 702-633-1520 (8:00 am – 5:45 pm, M-Th)
Obtain Nevada State Business License: NRS 76 requires all business, corporations, and partnerships operating in the state of Nevada to register have a state business license. You can visit the Secretary of State’s website, and apply and register online at nvsilverflume.gov.
Register with the Nevada Department of taxation: After obtaining a state business license, you need to register online by visiting the Nevada Department of Taxation website or apply at nvsilverflume.gov along with your entity and state license filing.
Register your business name: Businesses may operate under a fictitious name (any name other than the business owner’s legal name, or the corporate entity name registered with the Nevada Secretary of State). Such businesses must obtain a Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) with the Clark County Clerk’s Office. When you apply for a fictitious business name, the owner name on the Fictitious Firm Name (DBA) Certificate must exactly match the Owner/Entity Name displayed on your Nevada State Business License.
What is a Fictitious Firm Name? A name other than the owner’s legal name or the legal entity name. It is the name your business will use when advertising, including on store front, business cards, websites, etc. If you advertise under multiple names, you will need a business license for each of them.
Obtain the regulated business license: Regulated business licenses require investigation into personal history and financial information. Before issuing a license for these businesses, the applicant may be investigated by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Locksmith services are regulated in Clark County, and it will require you to get a regulated business license. For licensing purpose, locksmiths are either fixed (with a storefront) or mobile (without a storefront). Regulated Categories and Documents Requiring Personal History OR Personal History and Financial Information:
For a locksmith store, all owners who have more than 10% stake in the business will undergo a criminal background investigation conducted by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. And, the owners will also have a financial suitability investigation conducted by the Department of Business License. You may be issued a temporary license to operate pending completion of the investigation(s).
If you are only applying for a mobile locksmith business license (automobile locksmith van), you are required to pass the criminal background check but there is no financial stability investigation.
In Clark County, all applicants for a locksmith/mobile locksmith business have to meet the following requirements:
- Maintain a physical location of at least 300 square feet
- Maintain an inventory for retail sale to the public of safes, high-security locks, electronic access control equipment, security hardware and exit hardware and the ability to provide services for rekeying and master keying
- For a mobile locksmith, have a “shared office space” in a licensed “non-mobile locksmith establishment” that meets the requirements of subsections (b)(5)(B)(i) and (ii) of Clark County Code 6.12.650.
For further information regarding how to get a locksmith business license in Clark County, you can visit the official website of the county.
Locksmith business licenses in Clark County are renewed yearly. For mobile locksmith business (which does not require financial information verification), it takes $45 to apply for a license and $150 as business license fee. For a non-mobile locksmith with store front, the locksmith license application fee and business license fees are the same.
ONE Regional Licensing and Permits Portal is a common website for business licensing and permit information in Nevada. You can access this portal any time.
How to Get Locksmith License in Washoe County?
Washoe County regulates the locksmith trade.
You will need a Washoe County business license if your business is located in or conducts business in unincorporated Washoe County. You will need a business license if your place of business (either from a commercial location or from your home) is located in Washoe County, or you physically come into Washoe County to conduct your business. You need to be licensed by the county to conduct business in Washoe County even if you have a Nevada license or other license.
The unincorporated areas of Washoe County include: Cold Springs, Lemmon Valley, Verdi or Mogul, Incline Village or Crystal Bay, Mount Rose area, Wadsworth, Gerlach or Empire, Red Rock or Rancho Haven, Warm Springs, Geiger Grade, Spanish Springs, Washoe Valley, Golden Valley & Sun Valley.
If you operate your business in the Cities of Reno and/or Sparks, and the unincorporated County, you can contact us the licensing authorities for a multi-jurisdictional license.
Locksmith business licenses are issued after a criminal history background investigation to determine the suitability of the applicant to hold the license. The applicant (business owner and/or officers and directors of corporations) are required to submit their fingerprints to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
New business licenses fee is $77.75 for their first year of operation. From the next year, business license fees are based on reported annual gross receipts.
You can visit the Washoe County website for details about the business license procedure.
Washoe County Business License Contact
Washoe County Business License
1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno, NV 89512
Business License Phone: 775.328.3733
Fax: 775.328.6133
Email: BusinessLicense@washoecounty.gov
Business Hours: Appointments, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The City of Reno and the City of Sparks issue their own licenses separately.
City of Reno Business License Contact
1 East First Street – 2nd Floor, Reno, NV 89501
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1900, Reno, NV 89505
Phone: 775-334-2090
Fax: 775-334-1212
Email: BusinessLic@reno.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 – 4:00 p.m.
In City of Sparks, you can apply for a new business license, renew an existing license, and check the status of an application using the Customer Access Portal! You will need a business license from City of Sparks if:
- Your business occupies a commercial location within the city limits of Sparks.
- You travel into the city limits of Sparks in order to conduct your business or provide services.
- You or your company delivers goods within the city that are not delivered via common carrier.
- You are renting or leasing commercial/industrial property within the city limits of Sparks.
- You are renting more than ten residential properties or more than four residential units under one roof within the city.
- You are using your residence located within the city as an office to conduct your business.
You can learn more about obtaining a City of Sparks business license here.
City of Reno Business License Contact
| Location: | Days and Hours of Operation: |
| Sparks City Hall 431 Prater Way Sparks, NV 89431 | Monday through Friday – 8:00am to 5:00pm Closed on all Federal and State holidays. |
Education & Training for Nevada Locksmiths
In Nevada’s Clark County, there is no education or training requirement for qualifying for a locksmith license. One just needs to pass a criminal background check and a financial stability investigation.
However, all locksmith aspirants must invest in learning the trade. There are locksmith training schools in the state of Nevada as well as nearby states where one can attend regular classroom training for locksmith.
Some locksmith training schools also provide online learning courses for locksmith training. When you are familiar with the basics, attending industry symposiums and conventions as well as manufacturer training session can be a great way to continue learning and upgrade your locksmith skills.