Want to learn how to become a locksmith in Alabama? Let’s learn how you can become an Alabama locksmith, get the necessary locksmith training course in Alabama accredited locksmith schools, and get Alabama locksmith license.
If you’re in Alabama and want to pursue a career as a locksmith, this article will guide you through the process of becoming an Alabama locksmith, including obtaining the necessary training and license.
Alabama: Who is a Locksmith?
In Alabama, a locksmith is person or business entity in a commercial, residential, or automotive setting that does any of the following for compensation or other consideration:
- Repairs, rebuilds, rekeys, services and/or adjusts locks
- Installs locks or mechanical locking devices
- Installs or services egress controls devices
- Installs or services vaults and safety deposit boxes, including those services performed by safe technicians
- Creates or copies transponder keys and any other automotive keys and electronic operating devices connected to motor vehicles
- Creates or copies key fobs, proximity keys, smart keys, door and ignition key devices, or successive electronic and other high security key technology
- Uses any other method of bypassing a locking mechanism of any kind including, but not limited to, shimming a lock or picking and popping a lock
Do you need license to work as a locksmith in Alabama?
In Alabama, the locksmith trade is regulated and requires licensing. All locksmiths must have a valid locksmith license. When you want to become a locksmith in Alabama, you need to meet the eligibility requirements of the state and get licensed as a locksmith in Alabama.
When you to start your locksmith career anywhere in Alabama, such as Huntsville, Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Auburn, Dothan, Madison, or Decatur, you will have to meet the eligibility and training required for locksmiths.
How to Become a Locksmith in Alabama?
To become a locksmith in Alabama, you must obtain a license from the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure (AESBL). AESBL is is the state agency for imparting business licenses related to electronic security, which includes locksmiths.
Even though you might want to work as a locksmith dealing with conventional locks, Alabama recognizes all locksmiths as “security professionals”, which includes locksmithing for modern digital locks and security installations.
If you wish to work as a locksmith in Alabama, you need to obtain a valid locksmith license and renew it within stipulated time before expiry. All locksmith licenses are issued through a company, which means you need to be employed by a company or establish your own locksmith company.
An individual must work for a licensed company and must hold their own individual license through that company. Additionally, a self-employed individual must be licensed under their own company, obtaining both a company and an individual license.
On May 29, 1997, the Alabama State Legislature established the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure (AESBL) by enacting Act 97-711 (Code of Alabama, Section 34-1A). The AESBL statute requires that all persons working in the alarm and/or locksmith businesses be licensed in the State of Alabama. Such licensure would include the required training for the applicant’s discipline and a state/federal background check.
How to Get Locksmith Training in Alabama?
Alabama requires a license for locksmiths, and mandates successful completion of an approved locksmith training. You can find the list of AESBL-approved locksmith certification courses here.
Here are some of the locksmith courses approved by the AESBL for locksmith certification (as in June 2023):
Alabama Locksmith Association
www.locksmithala.org
Phone: 205-552-8200
Certification Courses
– Locksmith Test
Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA)
www.aloa.org/education
Certification Course
– Comprehensive Access Control
– Proficiency Registration Program (PRP)
– ATC Certified Licensed Locksmith Alabama Exam (CLL)
– CCTV Certification Course
Electronic Security Association (ESA) – National Training School (NTS)
www.esaweb.org
Certification Courses
– Certified Alarm Technician (Level I)*
– ABAT/Advanced Intrusion Systems Course (Level II)*
– Electronic Access Control
– Video System Technology
Elite CEU, Inc.
www.eliteceu.com
Certification Courses
– Alarm Level 1*
– AEIT Advanced Electronic Intrusion Technician (Alarm Level 2)*
– Video Surveillance Systems (VSS)
– Security System Sales Certification
– Electronic Access Control
VIT Training, Inc.
www.vittraining.com
Phone: 615-269-4222
Certification Courses
– Video Security Systems (CCTV) Essentials
How to Get Alabama Locksmith License?
If you’re considering a career as a locksmith in Alabama, obtaining a locksmith license is a crucial step to legally practice the profession.
Whether you plan to operate as an individual locksmith working for an employer or operate your own locksmith business, this article will guide you through the process of obtaining an Alabama locksmith individual license or business license.
Please make sure that you have the necessary training and educational qualifications for locksmiths in Alabama. Check the AESBL locksmith application forms and details.
How to obtain Alabama individual locksmith license?
If you want to get employed as a locksmith with a business, you need an (individual) locksmith license. When applying for an individual license, you need to be employed with a locksmith company. Here’s are the steps to obtain your Alabama locksmith license.
- Know the Requirements: Start by reviewing the licensing requirements set by the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure (AESBL).
- Apply with Supporting Documents: Obtain the individual locksmith application form and carefully fill it out. Collect the necessary supporting documents, including a passport-sized photo, training certificates for the specific locksmith positions you are applying for, and a signed and notarized Affidavit of Applicant that complies with Alabama’s immigration law. Make sure to complete all sections accurately and thoroughly. The license application has to be complete, signed and witnessed or notorized.
- Background Check: Complete the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) forms for a state and federal background check. You will need to include two fingerprint cards and a copy of your current driver’s license (which should not be expired). Pay the required fee of $38.25 to ALEA.
- Pay Licensing Fees: With your Alabama locksmith license application, you need to include the individual license fee of $50.00 payable to the AESBL.
In 2023, the locksmith individual license fee is $50 for two years. The license fees can change from year to year. You can check the current licensing fee at the AESBL website.
All locksmith companies in Alabama require a qualifying agent. You need to apply as a qualifying agent if you want to operate your own locksmith business or want to be employed as the qualifying agent for a company. The biennial license fee for a qualifying agent is $50-150, depending on the business discipline.
How to obtain Alabama locksmith business license?
If you want to operate a locksmith business in Alabama, you need to get a locksmith business license. This is in addition to the individual locksmith license or qualifying agent license.
Before you apply for an Alabama locksmith business license, you need the following:
- A valid business license issued by a city or county in Alabama
- General liability insurance of at least USD 250,000
Here are the step involved in getting licensed as a locksmith company in Alabama.
- Application: Obtain the company application form from the AESBL. Fill it out completely, providing accurate information about your locksmith business.
- Required Documentation: Collect the necessary documentation, including a completed, signed, and notarized/witnessed company application form, proof of at least $250,000 general liability insurance (with the company’s physical address on the declaration page), and a state, city, or county business license issued through the State of Alabama.
- License Fees: For a locksmith business license, you have to include the first-time admin fee of $150.00 (when applying for the first time or in case of a change in business name) and the business license fee (biennial) of $300 for a sole proprietor or $400 for a corporation or LLC. Both fees should be payable to the AESBL.
- Qualifying Agent Application: If applicable, submit an application for a Qualifying Agent along with your company application. Each locksmith business license must have a designated qualifying agent.
Note: For an Alabama locksmith business license (including sole proprietor), you will have to provide evidence of a policy of general liability insurance of at least USD 250,000 along with your application. In addition to the locksmith license application fee, you will have to pay an annual administrative fee of $150 and $300-$400 biennial (two-year) fee depending on whether you are a sole proprietorship, LLC, or an incorporated company.
Education & Training for Alabama Locksmiths
Alabama is one of the more stringent states in terms of locksmith licensing educational qualification, training and certification requirements.
In general, automotive, residential, or commercial locksmiths are required to complete the Proficiency Registration Program (PRP) of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) or AESBL Locksmith Test for licensing.
There are more stringent requirements for electronic locksmiths, CCTV installers and Electronic Access Control Systems, such as NTS Level 1 and/or NTS Level 2 equivalent.
Continuing Education for Alabama Locksmiths
Alabama requires all licensed locksmiths to obtain a minimum of 8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or 8 hours of industry-related training each year.
For a list of approved courses and training institutes for locksmith continuing education in Alabama, you can check the AESBL website (the licensees section).
That’s the summary of the information you need to know about how to become a locksmith in Alabama. You will need to collate all the information from various Alabama state departments and agencies. Hope you are able to learn how to become a locksmith in Alabama, and successfully obtain an Alabama locksmith license.