It’s eleven at night, you’re locked out on the doorstep, and you ring the first “24-hour locksmith” that Google throws up. A van arrives, the door gets opened, and then comes a bill that’s twice what you were quoted — for a lock that’s been needlessly drilled out. Sound familiar? It happens far more often than it should.
Here’s what most people don’t realise: in Ireland, choosing a locksmith isn’t just about finding someone good. Since 2017, hiring an unlicensed locksmith is actually against the law — for you as much as for them. The good news is that checking whether a locksmith is legitimate takes about 30 seconds, and it’s completely free. Here’s how to do it, and why it matters more than you’d think.
Yes — locksmiths in Ireland must be licensed by law
Since 1 February 2017, every contractor providing locksmith services in the Republic of Ireland must hold a licence issued by the Private Security Authority (PSA) — the statutory body responsible for regulating the private security industry, operating under the Department of Justice through the Private Security Services Act 2004.
It is an offence to offer locksmith services without a PSA licence. It is also an offence to engage or employ an unlicensed locksmith — and that part applies to ordinary householders and businesses, not just the trade. Only PSA-licensed contractors are even allowed to advertise or describe themselves as a “licensed locksmith.”
Interestingly, this makes Ireland stricter than its neighbours. Locksmiths in the UK and Northern Ireland aren’t subject to any equivalent licensing at all — so if you’ve moved here or you’re used to how things work across the water, this is a genuine difference worth knowing.
Why this matters — it’s not just a technicality
A PSA licence isn’t a rubber stamp. To hold one, a locksmith has to be Garda-vetted, trained and assessed against the PSA’s published standard, and their engineers must carry a PSA identity badge. Licensed contractors are subject to inspection, and the Authority can sanction anyone who falls short. In other words, the licence is your assurance that the person you’re handing access to your home has been checked and is accountable.
Now think about the alternative. An unlicensed “man in a van” hasn’t been vetted — and you’re about to let them defeat the locks protecting your family and belongings. If the work is shoddy, or the lock they fit doesn’t meet the standard your home insurance requires, you’ve little comeback and no paperwork to fall back on. Prices are often made up on the spot. And in the worst case, you’ve given an unaccountable stranger an intimate understanding of exactly how your home is secured.
There’s a direct legal cost too. Employing an unlicensed contractor is an offence that can carry penalties of up to a €3,000 fine and as much as five years’ imprisonment. That’s a steep price for skipping a 30-second check.
The 30-second check — how to verify a PSA licence
The PSA maintains a free, public register of licensed contractors and individuals on its website, psa.gov.ie. Anyone can search it. Here’s the quick routine:
- Ask for the licence number. A legitimate locksmith will give you their PSA licence number without hesitation. Any reluctance is a warning sign in itself.
- Search the PSA register. Go to psa.gov.ie, open the register of licensed contractors, and search by company name or licence number.
- Check it’s current and for the right sector. Confirm the licence is valid and in date, and that it covers the Locksmith sector (and, if you’re also getting an alarm, CCTV or access control fitted, the relevant Installer of Security Equipment sector too).
- Look for the badge on the day. When the engineer arrives, they should be uniformed, in an identifiable, sign-written van, and carrying a PSA identity card. Don’t be shy about asking to see it.
Do this before you book wherever you can — and always before you let anyone start work.
Red flags that should make you stop
Even without the register, a few warning signs tell you a lot. Be cautious if you see any of these:
- No PSA licence number, or evasiveness when you ask for one.
- Cash only, with no VAT invoice, no company name and no registered business address.
- A price agreed on the phone that suddenly “changes” on arrival, or a call-out fee that balloons once the van is at your door.
- No identity badge, an unmarked van, and no uniform.
- An instant push to drill out your lock when non-destructive entry is possible — a skilled locksmith can open most locks without any damage at all.
- Nothing behind the listing but a mobile number and a generic “24-hour locksmith” ad, with no real business you can trace.
What a licensed locksmith should look like
This is exactly the standard Dynolocks is built on. We’re PSA-licensed (licence 0709) and ISO 9001 accredited, with security-vetted, uniformed engineers driving identifiable, tracked vans, covering Dublin and nationwide, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every price is agreed up front, there’s no call-out fee, and you get a proper company invoice on completion. Best of all, you can verify us on the PSA register before we ever knock on your door.
Locked out, or upgrading your home security? Call Dynolocks on 1800 51 51 51 or (01) 878 2720 for a licensed, fully insured locksmith — and the peace of mind that the person at your door is exactly who they say they are.
Frequently asked questions
Do locksmiths have to be licensed in Ireland?
Yes. Since 1 February 2017, every locksmith contractor in the Republic of Ireland must hold a licence from the Private Security Authority (PSA). It’s an offence to trade as a locksmith without one, and an offence to hire a locksmith who isn’t licensed.
How do I check if a locksmith is PSA-licensed?
Search the free public register on the PSA website, psa.gov.ie. Ask the locksmith for their PSA licence number, then confirm on the register that it’s valid, in date, and covers the locksmith sector.
Is it illegal to hire an unlicensed locksmith?
Yes. Employing an unlicensed contractor is an offence under the Private Security Services Act, with penalties that can reach a €3,000 fine and up to five years’ imprisonment. The obligation falls on the customer as well as the locksmith.
What’s the difference between a PSA licence and being insured?
A PSA licence is a legal requirement covering vetting, training and standards. Insurance is separate cover for the work carried out. A reputable locksmith holds both — it’s always worth confirming.
Are UK or Northern Ireland locksmiths licensed the same way?
No. PSA locksmith licensing applies in the Republic of Ireland. Locksmiths in the UK and Northern Ireland aren’t subject to the same requirement, so Ireland’s standard is actually the stricter one.
This article is general guidance. For the current legal position and to search the register of licensed contractors, visit the Private Security Authority at psa.gov.ie.
