Are you considering to become a locksmith in Oklahoma, US? Need information and guidance on how to become a locksmith in Oklahoma? Different states in the US have their own rules and licensing requirements. Let’s see how you can become a Oklahoma locksmith, get the necessary locksmith training course in Oklahoma accredited locksmith schools, and finally get a Oklahoma locksmith license.
If you live in Oklahoma, you must read this article and learn the requirements for becoming a licensed locksmith in Oklahoma. This guide will apply when you want to become a locksmith in any of these cities, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Lawton, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Enid, Stillwater, and other cities in Oklahoma.
Who is a Locksmith in Oklahoma?
According to the Alarm, Locksmith, and Fire Sprinkler Industry Act and Administrative Rules, a locksmith is defined as the following:
“Locksmith industry” means the sale, servicing or installing, repairing, rebuilding, readying, rekeying, repinning, adjusting or installing locks, mechanical or electronic security devices, annunciation devices not designed to require a response by law enforcement or opening or bypassing a lock by a means other than those intended by the manufacturer of such devices. For the purposes of the Alarm, Locksmith and Fire Sprinkler Industry Act, “mechanical or electronic security devices” includes, but is not limited to, access control systems including peripheral devices to alarm systems, fiber optic security systems, fire sprinklers, closed circuit television, video surveillance and nurse call systems.
In Oklahoma, the Alarm, Locksmith and Fire Sprinkler program provides administrative assistance, license and renewal processes for applicants and information services to the public.
Anyone engaged in providing locksmith services is required to hold a valid Oklahoma locksmith license. Barring permitted exceptions, engaging in locksmith services is an offense.
For additional details about how to obtain a locksmith license and start your own locksmith company in Oklahoma, you should refer to the Alarm, Locksmith, and Fire Sprinkler Program of Oklahoma.
How to Get Locksmith Training in Oklahoma?
For locksmith training, the licensing department of Oklahoma does not have any mandate on work experience, certifications and courses. However, it is does require that individual locksmith applicants qualify an exam and furnish Certificate of Completion from an examination entity approved by the Oklahoma licensing department.
Oklahoma also allows trainee licenses for those seeking to work in the industry as a beginner. All locksmith trainee license applicants have to undergo a criminal background check. There shall be no more than three (3) technician trainees per locksmith company manager or locksmith technician per job site.
Though there is no trade certification or training requirement for a locksmith technician license, it is still advisable to acquire knowledge of the trade via locksmith training courses by locksmith schools and reputed organizations such as ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc. Several locksmith training courses are also available online, allowing the student to learn from their current location/home.
Oklahoma requires all technicians to qualify a competency exam conducted by approved agencies. For study material information and exam information, go to Oklahoma CareerTech website. All locksmith aspirants should check the Oklahoma’s Locksmith Study Guide.
How to Find Locksmith School in Oklahoma?
Anyone looking to work as a locksmith in Oklahoma (or anywhere for that matter) should acquire knowledge of the trade. Locksmith certificate and diploma courses are available through community colleges, vocational schools, and locksmith trade associations.
Try to find a local locksmith school in your city in Oklahoma. Check local phone directories, yellow pages and online directories for locksmith training courses near you. You can also seek guidance from your local friendly locksmith.
Locksmith schools are few in numbers, and not present in every city. You should expand your search and try to find a good trade school near you within and beyond Oklahoma. You can also enroll in an online locksmith course to get a formal training in the locksmith trade.
How to Get Oklahoma Locksmith License?
Oklahoma requires that locksmiths obtain license before conducting any business.
According to the Alarm, Locksmith, and Fire Sprinkler Industry Act: “No person shall engage in an alarm, locksmith or fire sprinkler industry business in this state without first having obtained a license pursuant to the provisions of the Alarm, Locksmith and Fire Sprinkler Industry Act; provided, however, a business or person licensed pursuant to the Alarm, Locksmith and Fire Sprinkler Industry Act shall not be required to obtain multiple licenses to install, repair or modify any component of an integrated security system, excluding commercial fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems.”
The state also requires that retail counter sales agent (person working in the shop selling security devices) also undergo a national criminal history records search. No person is engaged as sales agent in the locksmith industry if the result of the criminal background check is unsuccessful in accordance with the Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Best Practices brochure published by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Qualification for an Individual Locksmith License
Individuals applying for a locksmith license need to meet the following eligibility conditions:
- At least eighteen (18) years of age
- Not declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease, and has not been restored to competency
- Not a habitual user of intoxicating liquors or a user of any illegal or illicit drug or controlled substance, including, but not limited to, the non-medical use of any prescription drug or other intoxicating substance
- Not been discharged from the Armed Services of the United States under dishonorable conditions
- Meets standards as may be established by the Commissioner of Labor relating to experience or knowledge of the alarm, locksmith or fire sprinkler industry
- Successful completion of the appropriate examination and/or certification and other licensure requirements
Oklahoma Locksmith Examination
All locksmith technician applicants have to take a competency test. The assessments provide a measure of mastery of knowledge and skills needed by employees entering the locksmith industry. Students who score 70% or higher on the written examination and meet all licensing requirements will be issued a license by the Oklahoma Department of Labor.
Locksmith Company License in Oklahoma
In addition to the individual license, the state of Oklahoma also issues license for companies, including sole-proprietorships.
An individual locksmith cannot contract for his/her services as an independent contractor without applying
for and being issued a company and manager license.
Anyone interested to start working as an independent locksmith company will need to apply for a company license and also for a company manager license. You need to furnish your work experience certificate with a company manager license.
New companies will need to submit the completed Company Application, application fee of $250.00 and also provide two (2) completed fingerprint cards for each individual who owns 25% or greater of the company. (If the owner(s) have already had their fingerprints done this does not need to be redone.)
If you are applying for a locksmith company license as a sole-proprietorship where you are the only locksmith, there is no application fee for the company license.
All DBA (Doing Business As) company names MUST be filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Meaning, if you have a business name other than your legal name (as an individual or entity), you need the business name registered.
Each locksmith company shall employ an Oklahoma licensed locksmith manager who is responsible for the
operations of the company’s office. Manager applicants need to submit the required experience pursuant to the Alarm and Locksmith Regulations.
Each application a company manager license must include verification of experience in the locksmith business. The experience shall include verified/or licensed experience as a locksmith technician.
You can find the individual technician application, company license application and company manager license forms on the Oklahoma Department of Labor official website.
All locksmith licenses are renewed yearly. All individual licenses shall expire annually on the last day of the
licensee’s birth month. All company licenses shall expire annually on the last day of the month the license was initially issued.