How to Become a Locksmith in Quebec
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Locksmith is a compulsory trade in Quebec. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“In Quebec, you must have an agent licence issued by BSP to: Carry on one of the following six private security activities”
From bspquebec.ca/en/11/please-read-before-completing-an-application, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
-
- Licence fee (agency, Locksmith work class): $1,650 (For a new application, annual fee or renewal in the Locksmith work agency licence class)
Source
“| New application Annual fee Renewal | Locksmith work | Licence fee Security verification | $1,650.00 $146.00 / related person |”
bspquebec.ca/en/13/fee-schedule - Security verification (agency): $146
Source
“| New application Annual fee Renewal | Locksmith work | Licence fee Security verification | $1,650.00 $146.00 / related person |”
bspquebec.ca/en/13/fee-schedule
- Licence fee (agency, Locksmith work class): $1,650 (For a new application, annual fee or renewal in the Locksmith work agency licence class)
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $146
-
Obtain a diploma of vocational studies in locksmithing or an equivalent recognized by the ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur.
Source
“You must obtain a diploma of vocational studies in locksmithing or its equivalent recognized by the ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur (MEES).”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence -
Gather the identification and status documents required to accompany the licence application.
Source
“Get ready! To be processed, your application must be accompanied by the following documents:”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence -
Complete and submit the application online or by mail.
Source
“You will need to complete and submit your application online (faster) or submit your application by mail.”
bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence -
The BSP sends your personal information to the Sûreté du Québec, which performs a security verification and gives its opinion on whether the criteria are met.
Source
“To determine whether you meet these criteria, the BSP must send your personal information to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) so that it can perform a security verification.”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $146 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total. 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
- Licence fee (agency, Locksmith work class): $1,650 (For a new application, annual fee or renewal in the Locksmith work agency licence class)
Source
“| New application Annual fee Renewal | Locksmith work | Licence fee Security verification | $1,650.00 $146.00 / related person |”
bspquebec.ca/en/13/fee-schedule - Security verification (agency): $146
Source
“| New application Annual fee Renewal | Locksmith work | Licence fee Security verification | $1,650.00 $146.00 / related person |”
bspquebec.ca/en/13/fee-schedule
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $146
-
Include a copy of the valid agent licence you hold in another Canadian province with your application.
Source
“However, make sure to attach a copy of the licence you hold to your application.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions -
Provide proof of first-aid training similar to the one mandatory in Quebec.
Source
“You must also provide a proof that you have attended first-aid training similar to the one that is mandatory in Quebec.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions -
Apply for and obtain a licence from the Bureau to carry out private security activities in Quebec.
Source
“Even if you hold a licence from another Canadian province, you must obtain a licence from the Bureau to carry out private security activities in the Province of Quebec.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees: $146 a year Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total. 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
- Licence fee (agency, Locksmith work class): $1,650 (For a new application, annual fee or renewal in the Locksmith work agency licence class)
Source
“| New application Annual fee Renewal | Locksmith work | Licence fee Security verification | $1,650.00 $146.00 / related person |”
bspquebec.ca/en/13/fee-schedule - Security verification (agency): $146
Source
“| New application Annual fee Renewal | Locksmith work | Licence fee Security verification | $1,650.00 $146.00 / related person |”
bspquebec.ca/en/13/fee-schedule
Trained outside Canada
- Annual fees: $146
No separate route for this group. Source
“In order to obtain an agent licence, a person must have Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or a work permit in Canada issued by the competent authority.”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence
Requirements
Education
You must obtain a diploma of vocational studies in locksmithing or an equivalent recognized by the ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur.
Source
“You must obtain a diploma of vocational studies in locksmithing or its equivalent recognized by the ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur (MEES).”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence
Police check
You must never have been found guilty of a criminal offence related to the private security activity, unless you have obtained a pardon, and the Sûreté du Québec performs a security verification.
Source
“Have never been found guilty of a criminal offence related to the private security activity for which you are applying for a licence, unless you have obtained a pardon; and”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence
Good character
You must be of good moral character, conducting yourself in accordance with society's moral and social values.
Source
“Be of good moral character, i.e., you conduct yourself in accordance with society’s moral and social values.”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence
Residency
You must have Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or a work permit in Canada issued by the competent authority.
Source
“In order to obtain an agent licence, a person must have Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or a work permit in Canada issued by the competent authority.”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence
Other
You must be in a physical and mental condition that allows you to carry on the private security activity, and may be required to submit a medical certificate at the Bureau's request.
Source
“In order to be able to obtain an agent licence in private security, a person must be in a physical and mental condition such that the person is able to carry on the private activity for which the licence is applied for.”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licenceFor a temporary agent licence you must be at least 18 years old, unless you are applying to receive training that may qualify you for a regular agent licence.
Source
“To obtain a temporary agent licence, you must be at least 18 years old, unless you are applying for this licence to receive training that may qualify you to be issued a regular agent licence, for example, during an internship.”
bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Even if you hold a licence from another Canadian province, you must obtain a licence from the Bureau, attach a copy of your licence, and provide proof of first-aid training similar to the one mandatory in Quebec; a valid out-of-province licence may exempt you from the required training. Source
“Yes. Even if you hold a licence from another Canadian province, you must obtain a licence from the Bureau to carry out private security activities in the Province of Quebec.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions
Attach your existing licence
Source
“However, make sure to attach a copy of the licence you hold to your application.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questionsProvide first-aid proof
Source
“You must also provide a proof that you have attended first-aid training similar to the one that is mandatory in Quebec.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $16.50 | $28.00 | $34.90 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.63 | $34.72 | $47.85 | — |
Locksmiths in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Please read BEFORE completing an application bspquebec.ca/en/11/please-read-before-completing-an-application · fetched October 10, 2026
- Regular licence bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence · fetched October 10, 2026
- Obtaining a temporary agent licence bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence · fetched October 10, 2026
- Find answers to your questions. bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions · fetched October 10, 2026
- Fee Schedule - Agency bspquebec.ca/en/13/fee-schedule · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a locksmith in Quebec?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Quebec. Certification is managed by the Bureau de la sécurité privée.
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