ARTICLE 4. Licenses [6980.17. - 6980.33.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 4.
in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.17. Section 6980.17.

(a) An application for a locksmith license shall be made and filed with the chief in the form as may be required by the director, and shall be accompanied by the application fee prescribed by this chapter. The chief may require the submission of any other relevant information, evidence, statements, or documents. (b) Every application for a locksmith license shall state, among other things that may be required, the name of the applicant, the name under which the applicant will do business, and the location by street, number, and city of the office of the business for which the license is sought. (c) No license shall be issued in any fictitious name that may be confused with, or that is similar to, any federal, state, county, or municipal governmental function or agency, or to any law enforcement agency, or in any name that may tend to describe any business function or enterprise not actually engaged in by the applicant. (d) No license shall be issued in any fictitious name that is misleading or would constitute false advertising.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.18. Section 6980.18.

(a) Each individual applicant, each partner of a partnership, and designated officers of a corporation shall submit with the application one personal identification form provided by the chief upon which shall appear a photograph taken within one year immediately preceding the date of the filing of the application, together with two legible sets of fingerprints, one set of which shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes of a background check, and a personal description of each person, respectively. Any photograph submitted by an applicant shall measure 1 1 4 by 1 1 2 inches, with a face size no greater than 1 by 1 1 4 inches. The identification form shall include residence addresses and employment history for the previous five years. (b) The bureau may impose a fee not to exceed three dollars ($3) for processing classifiable fingerprint cards submitted by applicants, excluding those submitted into an electronic fingerprint system using electronic fingerprint technology.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.19. Section 6980.19.

If the applicant for a license is an individual, the application shall state the full name of the individual, the full residence address of the applicant, and that the applicant is to be personally and actively in charge of the business for which the license is sought. The application shall be subscribed, verified, and signed by the applicant, under penalty of perjury.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.20. Section 6980.20.

If the applicant for a license is a partnership, the application shall state the true names and addresses of all the general partners and the name of the partner to be actively in charge of the business for which the license is sought. The application shall be subscribed, verified, and signed under penalty of perjury by all of the general partners.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.21. Section 6980.21.

(a) If the applicant for a license is a corporation, the application shall state the true names and complete residence addresses of the chief executive officer, secretary, chief financial officer, and any other corporate officer who will be active in the business to be licensed. The corporation identification number issued by the Secretary of State shall be indicated on the application. The application shall also state the name and address of a designated person to be actively in charge of the business for which the license is sought. The application shall be subscribed, verified, and signed by a duly authorized officer of the applicant under penalty of perjury. (b) Except as herein otherwise provided, no individual shall be placed in active charge of the business if the individual has ever had a license revoked for cause or has ever been disqualified from further employment in the locksmith business pursuant to this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.22. Section 6980.22.

No new or original license shall be issued to any applicant pending final disposition of any disciplinary action previously filed against the person or applicant or partner, or officer of the applicant, or pending final disposition of any disciplinary action related to the locksmith business previously filed in another state against the person or applicant or partner, or officer of the applicant.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.23. Section 6980.23.

The chief shall issue a pocket identification card to the owner, partners, and officers. The chief shall determine the form and content of the card. The pocket card shall be composed of durable material and may incorporate technologically advanced security features. The bureau may charge a fee sufficient to reimburse the department for costs for furnishing the pocket card. The fee charged may not exceed the actual cost for system development, maintenance, and processing necessary to provide the service, and may not exceed six dollars ($6).

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.24. Section 6980.24.

The director shall issue a license, the form and content of which shall be determined in accordance with Section 164. In addition, the director shall issue a “Certificate of Licensure” to any licensee, upon request, with the fee prescribed in this chapter. A “Certificate of Licensure” shall include an embossed seal of the State of California and the signature of the chief or his or her designated representative.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.25. Section 6980.25.

If an applicant fails to complete his or her application within one year after it has been filed, the application shall be considered to be abandoned. An application submitted subsequent to the abandonment of a former application shall be treated as a new application.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.26. Section 6980.26.

(a) Each locksmith license, together with the current renewal certificate, if any, shall at all times be conspicuously displayed at the place of business, each branch office, and in each mobile service vehicle for which the license is issued. (b) The director may assess a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per violation of subdivision (a). These fines shall be deposited in the Private Security Services Fund.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.27. Section 6980.27.

Every locksmith license shall expire at 12 midnight of the last day of the month two years following the date of issuance unless renewed; provided however, that the bureau may establish procedures, pursuant to Sections 152.5 and 152.6, for the administration of a staggered license renewal program. To renew an unexpired license or registration, the licensee shall apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the director, pay any and all fines assessed by the chief or the director which are not pending appeal, and pay the renewal fee prescribed by this chapter. On renewal, such evidence of renewal of the license or registration as the director may prescribe shall be issued to the licensee. The bureau shall send to each licensee a notice of renewal at least 45 calendar days prior to the expiration of each unexpired license.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.28. Section 6980.28.

A locksmith license not renewed within three years following its expiration may not be renewed thereafter. Renewal of the license within three years, or issuance of an original license thereafter, shall be subject to payment of any and all fines assessed by the chief or the director which are not pending appeal and all other applicable fees.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.29. Section 6980.29.

A suspended locksmith license is subject to expiration and shall be renewed as provided in this article, but renewal of the license does not entitle the licensee, while the license remains suspended and until it is reinstated, to engage in the licensed activity, or in any other activity or conduct in violation of the order or judgment by which the license was suspended. The bureau shall not issue a license renewal certificate on a suspended license until the period of suspension has terminated.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.30. Section 6980.30.

A locksmith whose license has been canceled pursuant to this article, may obtain a new license only upon compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter relating to the issuance of an initial license.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 6980.33. Section 6980.33.

A licensee, or a partner or officer of a licensee, shall carry a valid pocket identification card, issued by the bureau pursuant to Section 6980.23, and either a valid driver’s license issued pursuant to Section 12811 of the Vehicle Code or a valid identification card issued pursuant to Section 13000 of the Vehicle Code, at all times the licensee, or partner or officer, is engaged in the work of a locksmith, as defined in this chapter, whether on or off the premises of the licensee’s place of business. Every person, while engaged in any activity for which licensure is required, shall display his or her valid pocket card, and driver’s license or identification card, as provided by regulation.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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