Beta-lactams are the most widely used antibiotics. One of the principle mechanisms for Gram-negative bacteria to resist β-lactams is by producing β-lactamases that degrade β-lactams. This review highlights two regulatory mechanisms for inducing β-lactamase in Gram-negative bacteria. In the ampR-ampC paradigm, the induction of β-lactamase is intimately linked to peptidoglycan recycling. AmpR, a LysR-type transcriptional regulator, plays a central role in regulating expression of β-lactamase. Recent studies found that two-component signal transduction pathway is activated by β-lactams, which in turn induces the expression of β-lactamase. Finally, we discussed the future research directions in β-lactam resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.