Toback Proposes Locksmith Licensing Law to protect customers and ensure honesty

Consumer Affairs & locksmiths applaud new regulation

Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside) and the Legislature will hold a public hearing on Monday, September 24 at 10 a.m. to hear testimony from industry professionals and others regarding a proposed local law that would redefines the requirements and functions of a locksmith’s license in Nassau County. The new licensing will help to ensure that residents can count on trained, qualified professionals, while providing more security for the customer.

The new law would make it illegal for anyone to carry on business as a locksmith without a license to do so. It also disallows employees of hotels, apartment houses, office buildings, or other establishments to perform the duties of a locksmith without such a license. The fee for a locksmith’s license will be $400 every two years.

“This law would add a layer of protection for both customers and the locksmiths themselves,” Toback said.

"We wholeheartedly support this effort by Legislator Toback to ensure the protection of Nassau County residents and their property," Consumer Affairs Commissioner Roger Bogsted said, adding that the law will also protect "legitimate locksmiths who are qualified and professional business owners from illegitimate and unscrupulous competitors."

Applicants for a locksmith’s license in Nassau County would now have to be able to show proper qualifications as a locksmith and will be fingerprinted and checked for any criminal background.

The proposed law was designed as a measure to have some control over locksmiths who are in the unique position to have access to residents’ homes, safes, cars and other valuables. Several safety provisions are included to ensure the honesty and fair dealing toward the general public. According to the legislation, no one without a locksmith’s license can open any lock for which a key or combination may have been lost, change the mechanics or combination of a lock, or make any original keys or other devices to open a lock.

The law also mandates that every licensed locksmith must keep records of any client for whom they open a lock, replace keys, or conduct such business. License-holders must also require proof of ownership by the person requesting a key or lock to be opened.

The new law makes it illegal for manufacturers of locksmiths’ tools to sell such tools to unlicensed people and requires that they report the sale of all locksmith tools to the police department.

Applicants for a locksmith’s license in Nassau County would now have to be able to show proper qualifications as a locksmith and will be fingerprinted and checked for any criminal background.    

The law will go before the full legislature for a vote sometime this month.