How to Become a Locksmith?

Congratulations on your decision to explore locksmith as a career option.

Locksmiths are tradesmen who help people in making keys, repairing locks and keep the society safe. It’s a noble profession that also helps you earn a decent living, and contribute to the society as a productive member.

Should I Become a Locksmith?

Locksmiths make keys, repair locks, and install locks at homes, commercial establishments and vehicles. People seek help from locksmiths when they need to secure their homes or business, lose keys or need replacement keys for homes, cars or cabinets, etc.

Most locksmiths are self-employed individuals or family-owned businesses. You don’t need much investment to start a locksmith business. Your skill and any business address is enough to work as a locksmith. One can even start working from home or a mobile van equipped with locksmith tools.

However, you will need to get a license in states that legally require it for all those looking to work as a locksmith. If you are employed with any locksmith business, you may not even need the license as the business license covers you as their employee.

If you are working as self-employed locksmith or independent business, you will have to spend money and effort in advertising your locksmith services. Finding customers is going to be the main challenge when you are just starting as a locksmith.

This is a general guide to becoming a locksmith in the US. This guide will provide you with basic information regarding locksmith courses and training schools and the list of states with locksmith license requirements. The states that regulate the locksmith industry and require a license are marked with an (*) asterisk in the list below (as in August 2022).

Eligibility for Becoming Locksmith

• Age: 18 years or older (a major) and sound mind.
• Education Degree: No education degree is required. Training or apprenticeship is necessary in some states.
• Criminal History: Good moral and ethical background is a general requirement. A criminal record will not automatically deny you a chance to work as a locksmith. However, you will have to furnish adequate information and provide convincing reasons to the licensing bodies.
• Key Skills: Mechanical and mathematical ability, knowledge of lock components, and ability to use locksmith tools to open & repair locks and make new keys.
• License and Certification: State-issued license is required in some states; professional certifications recommended.
• Average Salary of Locksmiths: $40,000 / year (approximate, as in May 2015, source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Associated Locksmiths of America).

How to Become a Locksmith?

1. Get locksmith training (join a trade school)
2. Work as an apprentice to gain work experience
3. Get locksmith license from the state department
4. Join a trade association such as Associated Locksmiths of America
5. Upgrade you skills and continue learning about the latest locks & security technology in home, automobile & business space

Step 1: Get Locksmith Training

Anyone looking to work as a locksmith must get a formal training in the locksmith trade. You can join any local locksmith school or benefit from online locksmith training courses.

Locksmith certificate and diploma courses are available through community colleges, vocational schools, and locksmith trade associations.

A formal training is a must to learn locksmith skills. There’s no alternative if you want to success in the locksmith business.

Locksmith training will teach you how to pick and repair locks, make keys, understand the mechanics of different type of locks, and install different security equipment at homes and businesses.

Knowing the legal and business aspects of locksmithing is necessary. Most locksmith courses will also impart you knowledge about the local laws related to locksmith trade, and prepare you for the business.

You can also learn specialized locksmithing such as automotive locksmithing, security camera installation, modern keyless locks, installation of safety equipment for business premises.

You can also consider getting locksmith certification from recognized entities such as ALOA. Here are some of the locksmith courses provided by ALOA.

As an alternative to locksmith training, an aspiring locksmith can also work as an apprenticeship under an experienced locksmith.

Step 2: Work as Locksmith Apprentice

Once you have successfully completed a locksmith training course, you should work as an apprenticeship under an experienced locksmith to gain real hands-on experience.

Some states require aspiring locksmiths to complete the state-mandated apprenticeship. Many states also require locksmith apprentices to obtain license. You should check your state-specific requirements.

For instance, Texas requires aspiring locksmiths to work full-time for at least two years at a licensed locksmith business before obtaining a license of their own. Alternatively, aspiring locksmiths in Texas need to successfully complete a Texas Department of Public Safety-approved 648-hour locksmith course.

Aspiring locksmiths can contact local locksmith businesses for apprenticeship positions. Apprenticeships are generally unpaid or with stipends, but provides you the technical, legal, and business aspects of the locksmith trade.

Step 3: Get Business & Locksmith License

To operate a business, you will need to register your business and obtain work permits such as contractor licenses. Where your business name is different from your legal name (Doing Business As), you will need to register your business fictitious name too.

General liability insurance is often a requirement for obtaining business licenses. Even if your state / county does not mandate any insurance, you should obtain adequate insurance cover to protect your business. Any work gone wrong can attract hefty demand in damages. Insurance cover will ensure that your business can cope with any unfortunate event or damage.

State Licenses

Many states require locksmiths to have a current, valid locksmith license to ply the trade. It is done for consumer safety and to maintain professional standards. Locksmith license requirements vary by state. Most states require locksmiths to submit an application, undergo a background check, and submit their fingerprints to state and federal fingerprint databases.

You should consult with state department agencies or local trade association for the detailed and precise rules and requirements for obtaining a locksmith license.

As in August 2022, you need locksmith licenses in 13 states, and two counties in Florida. Check the links of the state-specific guides to learn more about how to obtain a locksmith license.

Some cities and counties (Miami-Dade County) require special locksmith license or registrations.

One must obtain a locksmith license from the state agency concerned. Each state has its own licensing and qualification criteria for obtaining locksmith license. Many states have separate licenses for locksmith businesses and individual locksmiths.

County Permits

In Nevada, locksmiths must obtain a permit from the sheriff of the county in which the locksmith works. Nevada does not have any specific criteria for locksmith license. The county / sheriff is the final decision maker on issuance of locksmith licenses in Nevada.

New York City and Nassau County (NY) require locksmiths to be licensed within their jurisdiction. Miami-Dade County also requires locksmith licensing even though the state of Florida has no such requirement.

Locksmiths generally have to undergo a criminal background check before getting their license. Some states require proficiency evaluation — written tests, a practical examination or both.

States often require for licensed locksmiths to prominently display their license, check ID of the person hiring their services and keep records of all locksmith services performed for stipulated period of years.

Step 4: Join Locksmith Trade Association

Once you get your locksmith license, or start working as a locksmith, you should join any prominent trade association in your state. It will help you stay informed with developments in the sector. You can also find help with several other issues through your trade association.

One of the prominent US locksmith trade association is ALOA Security Professionals Association (ALOA).

Being a member of a trade association will help with expanding business, building customer base, continued education, legislative representation, industry bonding, insurance options, and more.

Step 5: Continued Learning & Certifications

Locksmiths must keep learning and acquire knowledge about new security systems and locks. Staying updated with the latest developments in the lock security space is important for success in the locksmith business.

As a professional locksmith, you should continue learning and attending seminars and industry events.

There are several voluntary professional certifications for locksmiths through ALOA: Registered Locksmith, Certified Registered Locksmith, Certified Professional Locksmith, and Certified Master Locksmith (CML).

Getting these industry-recognized certifications will help you build credibility and trust with your customers. It will also help you find new customers by standing out as a reliable locksmith.

Locksmiths should also benefit from training and educational opportunities offered by lock manufacturers, trade associations, and locksmithing schools.

That’s all on how to become a locksmith for now. Keep learning about the state-specific requirements and eligibility for starting a locksmith business.