Amends various sections of GS Chapter 74F, governing the licensure of locksmiths, as follows.

Amends GS 74F-3 to no longer limit locksmith services requiring licensure to services to buildings containing medical records, pharmaceutical records, educational records, criminal records, voting records, tax records, legal records, or personnel records. Makes the Chapter applicable to corporations, companies, firms, associations, or sole proprietorships that provides locksmith services to the public. Requires a licensed locksmith that owns one of the listed entities which provides locksmith services to obtain a locksmith business license. Requires annual renewal of locksmith business licenses. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the definition of locksmith under GS 74F-4 conditioning the practice of locksmith services upon a locksmith owning or being an employee or agent of a locksmith business. Defines locksmith business.

Amends GS 74F-7, adding to the qualifications for licensure. Requires applications for locksmiths and businesses licenses be made on forms provided by the Locksmith Licensing Board (Board) along with required fees. Establishes required content for locksmith business license applications, including an EIN from the IRS, and requires applications be filed by the owner, a partner, an LLC member, or an officer, as applicable to the business entity. Requires the owner, a partner, the president, vice-president, or chairman, or a member of the locksmith business, as applicable, be an active licensed locksmith.

Amends GS 74F-7.1 adding completion of 16 hours of Board-approved technical locksmith training to the qualifications for apprentices. Makes changes to refer to apprentice licenses rather than designations. Requires applications be made on forms provided by the Board. Requires apprentices to display their badge card (no longer required to be colored) when engaging in locksmith services. Allows for a one-time renewal of the apprentice license. Adds a new requirement for apprentices to give the Board written notice within 15 days of termination of employment with their supervising licensed locksmith. Increases the number of apprentices a licensed locksmith may have at one time from two to three. Establishes a 15-day period within which the licensed locksmith is required to contact the Board upon termination of supervision of an apprentice.

Sets the cap for a business license fee at $100 under GS 74F-9.

Amends GS 74F-15, expanding the Board's disciplinary authority listed to include denying or refusing issuance of a license or designation. Modifies the disciplinary grounds to include violation of the Chapter or any rules promulgated by the Board (was, willful violation of the Chapter's provisions only). Grants the board new authority to place on probation, refuse to issue or renew, suspend, or revoke a locksmith business license when an owner, partner, manager, member, operator, officer, licensee, apprentice, or other individual under the direct control and supervision of a licensed locksmith working for the locksmith business violates any provision of the Article or any rule of the Board.

Amends the definition of "direct control and supervision" under GS 74F-16(1) as it applies to the exemption of employees of licensees from the Chapter, to require that the licensed locksmith remain present at all times an employee is engaged in the practice of locksmith services for the exemption to apply. Expands the exemption for persons or businesses providing listed services who do not represent themselves as a locksmith to include emergency roadside assistance services if the services are provided in the normal course of business; excludes production of new or duplicate keys for customers. Includes auto parts stores in the exemption provided for merchants, retail stores, and hardware stores, subject to the four existing qualifications for their exemption.

Amends GS 74F-17 authorizing a court to award attorneys' fees and costs to the Board in a successful action for an injunction for violations of the Chapter.

Effective October 1, 2025.

Authorizes the Board to adopt implementing rules.