In BC, working as a locksmith needs a security worker licence under the Security Services Act. You can start at 16 with an under-supervision licence and no training, then qualify for a full licence through the apprenticeship or supervised experience.
Steps from source.
| Detail | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Locksmiths in BC need a Security Worker licence under the Security Services Act. Start with an under-supervision licence (age 16+); a full licence needs the SkilledTradesBC Locksmith CoQ or 2 years' supervised experience. | source |
| Issuing body · Url | Official page | source |
| Credential | REQUIRED: Security Worker licence (locksmith) | source |
| Licence status | required | source |
| Apprenticeship | Locksmith apprenticeship: 3,600 work-based hours (~2 years), no technical training requirement, CoQ exam | source |
| Pay | Other technical trades and related occupations (NOC 72999, includes locksmiths), B.C.: low $26.00/hr, median $37.32/hr, high $50.00/hr; annual $71,291 (WorkBC, B.C. LMI Office from 2025 Job Bank data) | source |
| Fee | New security worker licence application: $60 (90 days), $120 (1 year), $180 (2 years), $240 (3 years); renewal/change fees differ (see Security Services Platform); non-refundable | source |
| Term | Maximum licence term 3 years (90 days for one licence type) | source |
| Minimum age | Age 19+ (16+ for locksmith under supervision); ordinarily resident in Canada; fluent in English (most categories) | source |
| Criminal record check | Registrar runs a criminal record check, police information check and correctional service information check on every new or renewal applicant; fingerprinting and identity verification may be required | source |
| Verify licensee | Look up a security worker licence by licence number (names cannot be searched); recently renewed licences may show stale status | source |
| Training detail | Under supervision: no training. Full: SkilledTradesBC Locksmith certificate, another approved apprenticeship, 2 years full-time supervised experience in last 5 (employer letter), or supervised experience + approved locksmithing course | source |
Yes. Locksmithing is a licensed security worker category under the Security Services Act.
A new security worker licence costs $60 for 90 days, $120 for 1 year, $180 for 2 years or $240 for 3 years. The fee is non-refundable, and renewal fees differ.
The Registrar runs a criminal record check, a police information check and a correctional service information check on every new and renewal applicant. Fingerprints and identity checks may be required.
Use the BC security licence status lookup at justice.gov.bc.ca. You need the licence number; names cannot be searched, and recently renewed licences may show an old status.
WorkBC lists locksmiths under NOC 72999 (other technical trades): $26.00 low, $37.32 median, $50.00 high per hour.
This page relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked November 1, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.