Do you want to become a locksmith in Louisiana, US? How to become a locksmith in Louisiana? Different states in the US have their own rules and licensing requirements. Let’s see how you can become a Louisiana locksmith, get the necessary locksmith training course in Louisiana accredited locksmith schools, and finally get a Louisiana locksmith license.
If you live in Louisiana, you must read this article and learn the requirements for becoming a licensed locksmith in Louisiana. This guide will apply when you want to become a locksmith in any of these cities, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Metairie, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Bossier City, Kenner, Monroe, Alexandria, and other cities in Louisiana.
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In this detailed guide, you will learn the following:
- What is the definition a locksmith in Louisiana?
- How to get find a locksmith school and obtain training in Louisiana?
- How to start your own locksmith business in Louisiana?
- Do you need a locksmith license in Louisiana?
Louisiana: Who is a Locksmith?
A locksmith is termed as a property protection service in Louisiana.
The R.S. 40:1664 Life Safety and Property Protection Licensing defines a locksmith as following:
“Locksmith technician” means an individual who sells, repairs, rebuilds, recodes, services, adjusts, installs, manipulates, or bypasses a special locking system, mechanical locking device or electronic locking devices for controlled access or egress to premises, safes, vaults, safe doors, lock boxes, automatic teller machines, or other devices for safeguarding areas or certifies, inspects, installs, integrates, sells and services closed circuit television alarm systems.
An individual is not eligible to perform Life Safe and Property Protection work until he receives a valid license from the Office of the State Fire Marshal (Department of Public Safety & Corrections).
Who can Become a Locksmith in Louisiana?
Louisiana is among the US states that regulate the locksmith industry. To start your own locksmith business or work as a locksmith technician, you need to meet the general requirements as well as obtain certifications.
- Must be 18 years or more
- High-school graduate (education not mentioned)
- Approved certifications or courses in the area of their specialization
- Current, valid driver’s license
- Pass a criminal history / background check
Certification for locksmith technicians: Requirements for an individual locksmith technician license (for electronic and mechanical locks) in Louisiana include completion of one of the following qualifications:
- ALOA Six-Day Basic Locksmithing Course
- ALOA Fundamentals of Locksmithing Course
- ALOA Certified Licensed Locksmith (CLL)
- ALOA Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL)
- ALOA Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL)
- ALOA Certified Master Locksmith (CML)
- Certificate of Graduation from a Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program
- US Military School or Specialty Rating/Qualification/Designation
- Lockmasters Security Institute Professional Locksmithing Course
- Cothron’s Locksmith Basic Field Locksmith Operations Course
- Pop-A-Lock Fundamentals of Locksmithing Course
- Bank-Tec South Initial Locksmith Certification Course
- Elite CEU General Locksmith Certification Course
For specialized locksmith services such as bank locking specialist, gate locking and access controls, several other certifications are accepted too. You can check the list of training and certifications that are required to qualify for other technician license in Louisiana. However, it is recommended to get ALOA certifications for career growth and starting your own locksmith business.
How to Get Locksmith Training in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires that all locksmiths be trained and undergo continuing education (at least 8 hours each year). For working as a licensed locksmith in Louisiana, you need to have qualified any approved training course.
For locksmith training, the licensing department of Louisiana accepts certifications and courses provided by ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc. Some other training programs are also accepted for locksmith technician qualification. However, only ALOA courses (excluding the basic courses) are accepted for locksmith technicians who qualify a locksmith company for an endorsement (license).
Do you need a locksmith license to work in Louisiana?
Yes, the locksmith industry is regulated in the US state of Louisiana. Any one who wants to work as a locksmith in Louisiana must the eligibility requirements and obtain a locksmith license. The licensing requirements apply for both businesses and individuals.
Locksmith businesses apply for a license with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of State Fire Marshal. Individuals have to apply for a locksmith technician license through their employers.
How to Get Louisiana Locksmith License?
Louisiana requires that locksmiths (who are categorized under public protection) obtain license before conduction any business.
According to R.S. 40:1664 Life Safety and Property Protection Licensing: “No person or firm shall engage in life safety and property protection contracting without holding a current and valid license issued by the state fire marshal as provided in this Subpart. Each operating location of a firm shall hold a separate firm license.”
It also requires that apprentices also get valid licenses. “Each person who acts as an apprentice performing life safety and property protection contracting shall apply to the state fire marshal for an apprentice license. The state fire marshal shall establish the qualifications of an apprentice by rule. An apprentice may perform such services only under the direct supervision of a technician holding a valid license pursuant to this Subpart who works for the same firm as the apprentice.”
The locksmith license covers the following expertise:
- Mechanical and Electronic Locking Systems
- Door Hardware Installation and Consultation
- Bank Locking Solutions
- Specialized Locking Mechanisms
- Detention Facility Locking Systems
- Gate Access Control Systems
- Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Security Solutions
Louisiana Locksmith License Fees
In Louisiana, the locksmith license fees are low. For an individual technicians, a new license fee is $100, while renewal is $50. For locksmith companies (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.), a new locksmith firm license is $250 and renewal is $50, paid to Office of State Fire Marshal. Please provide a company check or money order payable to the “Office of the State Fire Marshal”. Cash or personal checks are not accepted.
How to Apply for Locksmith Business License in Louisiana?
To obtain a Louisiana locksmith business license, you can visit https://llssa.org/licensing/ and fill the application form for a new license or renewal of an existing one.
Application and Driver’s License: Every owner or principal of the locksmith business must sign the application and provide a copy of their current, valid driver’s license.
Criminal background check: Firms holding property protection endorsements are subject to additional requirements. All owners and/or principals must undergo a fingerprint background check. To facilitate this process, each owner/principal must submit a fingerprint card obtained from their local law enforcement agency, an application for a fingerprint background check, and a check made payable to the Department of Public Safety to cover the associated fees.
Louisiana location requirement: All firms licensed for Property Protection services (including locksmiths) must be physically located within Louisiana, with a fully operational office. In cases where the firm’s physical location is outside of Louisiana, an Agent of Service must be clearly indicated.
Qualifier certification: Each firm is required to provide a copy of their qualifier’s current NICET certificate or any other relevant certification.
Locksmith Technician License
An individual locksmith license (or locksmith technician license) can be applied through a locksmith company where the person is employed.
All technicians have to meet the locksmith certification qualifications, must be a regular W-2 employee of a locksmith company, and submit their driver’s license, a fingerprint card completed by a local law enforcement agency, an application for a fingerprint criminal background check.
Employees are required to promptly inform this office of any changes to their personal address, phone number, or company status within a period of ten (10) days. This should be done by completing and submitting an updated employee application.
Individual Qualifier for Locksmith Companies
To qualify for a locksmith license (or public protection endorsement, as the state calls it), a company must have a qualifier (locksmith individual) who lives within 150 miles of the company he/she is qualifying.
A locksmith company qualifier needs to have the minimum technician certification, which is one of the following:
- ALOA Certified Licensed Locksmith (CLL)
- ALOA Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL)
- ALOA Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL)
- ALOA Certified Master Locksmith (CML)
All locksmith qualifiers also need to have completed the following courses:
- Fire Marshal Administrative Rules Course
- Fire Marshal Plan Review Course
- Life Safety Course
The qualifier will have to submit an affidavit, copies of current certifications and a copy of current/ valid driver’s license. The owners/principals of the locksmith company will also have to submit their fingerprints with their local law enforcement agency, and also get a fingerprint background check done by applying with a company check/money order in favor of the DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY for the fees.
General Liability Insurance for Locksmiths
The company also requires a General Liability & Worker’s Compensation insurance certificate, with a minimum general insurance liability coverage of $500,000. The Insurance Certificate must note in the description of operations column: “Life Safety & Property Protection”. It should also have the current physical address of the firm. If the owner(s) is the only employee(s), the firm does not need to carry worker’s compensation.
Registration of Locksmith Company Employees
All employees of a locksmith company in Louisiana also need to be registered along with the firm. All employees must be paid W-2 employees. The department of public safety requires that all employees must submit their completed applications along with copies of driving license, training certificates and recent photographs (on CD in the JPG format) and submit their fingerprints and undergo a background check.
Renewal of Locksmith License
All locksmith and property protection licenses are renewed yearly. For renewal, one must have completed the minimum credits mandated for continuing education, which is currently 8 hours of contact. All renewal licenses are affirmed by employers. No certificates are to be attached with renewal application forms, but the continuing education certificates of employees must be maintained by the employer for inspections. Training may be obtained in any state. It does not have to be received in Louisiana to be acceptable.
Continuing Education for Louisiana Locksmiths
Louisiana requires that public protection services workers continue their education. Currently, locksmith technicians have to complete at least 8 hours of contact education each year.
The course for continuing education of locksmiths is defined and at least 50% (4 hours) of the education has to be from approved training courses, manufacturer or factory training, other technical training (by equipment dealers / distributors or trainers), industry-related classroom study and regulatory training.