Locksmiths

NYC Admin. Code tit. 20, ch. 2, subch. 15

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 20-298 Definitions.

§ 20-298 Definitions. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. Whenever used in this subchapter, the term "locksmith" shall mean a person dealing in the mechanical actions, and the correct operations of all locks, key or keyless, or similar devices, and whose trade or occupation is repairing, servicing, installing, inspecting, opening and closing such locks by mechanical means, other than with the regular key made for the purpose, without altering, marring or destroying the original condition or effectiveness of such locks or similar devices in any shape or manner, or a maker or manufacturer of locks, pressure keys, skeleton keys, pass keys, jigs, or any other mechanical device to aid a locksmith in the plying of his or her trade. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/064 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-299 License required.

§ 20-299 License required. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on the business, trade or occupation of a locksmith, or for any person employed in a hotel, apartment house, office building, store, garage, service station, luggage shop, or any other establishment, to perform the duties of a locksmith, without a license therefor. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/064 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-300 License fee.

§ 20-300 License fee. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. The fee for a locksmith's license shall be fifty dollars. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/064 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-301 Regulations.

§ 20-301 Regulations. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. a. It shall be unlawful for any person other than a licensed locksmith to open any lock for which a key or combination may have been lost; or to make any repairs to, or change in, the mechanical adjustment or combination of any lock; or to make any original key or any other device or contraption to open a lock. b. Every licensed locksmith shall keep a book in which he or she is to record: (1) the name and address of every person ordering master keys, keys by number, or ordering the opening of a locked item and the date and time such work was done; and (2) the means relied upon to identify any person ordering the opening of a locked item and to verify ownership of a locked item or authorization to order the opening of a locked item. Such book shall be open at all reasonable times for inspection by the commissioner, any departmental inspector, any police officer, or any person duly authorized by the commissioner. c. Every licensed locksmith, except an itinerant locksmith, who is requested to open a locked item which is located on premises other than where the business is conducted shall, prior to opening such locked item, present a photocopy of the license issued hereunder to any person requesting the opening of such locked item. Every itinerant locksmith shall, prior to opening a locked item, indicate the display of the license issued hereunder to any person requesting the opening of such locked item. d. Every locksmith shall make a good faith effort to: (1) determine the identification of any person requesting the opening of a locked item; and (2) obtain proof that a person requesting the opening of a locked item is the proper owner of the locked item or is authorized to request that the locked item be unlocked. e. Reserved. f. Every locksmith opening a locked item shall obtain the signature or mark of the person requesting the opening of such locked item on a form to be prescribed by the commissioner. Such form shall state, in such manner as the commissioner shall by rule establish, that the person requesting that an item be opened is authorized to open that item. The forms shall be retained by the locksmith in such manner as the commissioner shall require, and shall be available at all reasonable times for inspection by the commissioner, any departmental inspector, any police officer, or any person duly authorized by the commissioner or any judge of the criminal court. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/064 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-302 Equipment to be listed.

§ 20-302 Equipment to be listed. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. Each manufacturer or jobber of devices aiding locksmiths in their trade shall file a list of his or her equipment with the department and with the police department, enumerating in such list all master key blanks, code books, machinery, skeleton keys that open and operate more than one lock and known to the trade as pressure keys, key sets for automobiles, vibrating lockpickers, and all similar equipment in his or her possession. It shall be unlawful to dispose of any such equipment to any person other than a licensed locksmith. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-303 Keys to be marked.

§ 20-303 Keys to be marked. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. All keys made by a licensed locksmith shall be stamped with his or her name and address or with the license number issued to him or her by the commissioner. All master keys in addition shall bear the word "master", and duplicates shall be made only upon the signed order of the owner of the locks which such keys are designed to operate or his or her authorized agent. Master keys shall be made only by a licensed locksmith. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/064 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-304 Licenses to be displayed.

§ 20-304 Licenses to be displayed. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. Every licensed locksmith shall display the license issued hereunder in a conspicuous place where it can be readily seen by anyone entering the premises where the business is conducted. Where the licensed locksmith is not in business for himself or herself but is employed by another, it shall be incumbent upon the licensee and his or her employer to display the license hereunder in a conspicuous place where it can be readily seen by anyone entering the premises wherein the business is conducted. Where more than one locksmith is employed in such premises the license of the person then in charge need only be displayed. In the case of an itinerant locksmith the license shall be on his or her person or prominently displayed upon the working kit he or she may carry or upon any vehicle which he or she may use in the plying of his or her trade or occupation. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/064 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-305 Prohibition as to itinerant locksmiths.

§ 20-305 Prohibition as to itinerant locksmiths. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. It shall be unlawful for any licensed itinerant locksmith to ply his or her trade or occupation or maintain a stand within five hundred feet of any store or other permanent place of business of a licensed locksmith, or at any other place upon the streets or highways of the city where police regulations will not permit. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1992/064 and L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-306 Proof of qualifications; fingerprinting.

§ 20-306 Proof of qualifications; fingerprinting. Editor's note: this section has been repealed and replaced by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. a. The commissioner shall require any applicant for a locksmith's license to furnish documentary proof that he or she is a qualified locksmith, and if such evidence is not satisfactory to the commissioner, the commissioner may require the applicant to submit to any examination by at least two licensed locksmiths to be named by the commissioner, to serve without compensation, and such licensed locksmiths, after examining the applicant shall certify in writing to the commissioner whether or not the applicant in their opinion is sufficiently qualified to be licensed as a locksmith. b. The commissioner shall require that applicants for licenses issued pursuant to this subchapter be fingerprinted for the purpose of securing criminal history records from the state division of criminal justice services. The applicant shall pay a processing fee as required by the state division of criminal justice services. Fingerprints shall be taken of the individual owner if the applicant is a sole proprietorship; the general partners if the applicant is a partnership; and the officers, principals, directors, and stockholders owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of the corporation if the applicant is a corporation. Any person required to be fingerprinted hereunder shall furnish to the department three current passport-size photographs of such person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the commissioner need not require applicants for licenses required under this subchapter to be fingerprinted if criminal history records concerning such applicants are not available from the state division of criminal justice services. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-306.1 Refusal to issue or renew, or suspension or revocation based on criminal conviction.

§ 20-306.1 Refusal to issue or renew, or suspension or revocation based on criminal conviction. Editor's note: this section has been repealed by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. In addition to any of the powers that may be exercised by the commissioner pursuant to this subchapter or chapter one of this title, the commissioner, after notice and an opportunity to be heard, may refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke, a license required under this subchapter if the applicant or licensee, or any of its principals, officers or directors, or any of its stockholders owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of the corporation has been convicted of a crime which, in the judgment of the commissioner, has a direct relationship to such person's fitness or ability to perform any of the activities for which a license is required under this subchapter or has been convicted of any other crime which, in accordance with article twenty-three-a of the correction law, would provide a justification for the commissioner to refuse to issue or renew, or to suspend or revoke, such license. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/183.

NYC Admin. Code § 20-307 Exemptions.

§ 20-307 Exemptions. Editor's note: this section has been repealed by L.L. 2025/183, 12/12/2025, eff. 5/31/2027. a. Members of city, state or federal departments, who are assigned to locksmith work wholly within their respective departments or divisions, shall be exempt from the operation of this subchapter. b. No person shall be employed by a duly licensed locksmith as an apprentice or trainee unless such person shall have a trainee-license, the annual fee for which shall be ten dollars, and during the time in which such person is so employed he or she shall be under the direct supervision of said licensed locksmith and such person may perform the duties of a locksmith. Such apprentice or training period shall not exceed thirty-six months. Each such licensed locksmith employer shall be responsible for notifying the department as to the termination or other change in the employment of any such apprentice or trainee. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/183.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-136577Fetched: 10/24/2026