How to Become a Locksmith

Have you ever needed to change the locks to your home? Have you lost your keys to the car or the house? If so, you have likely encountered a locksmith. Locksmiths are specially trained craftsmen who can change existing locks or install additional locks on homes, businesses or even cars. Being a locksmith takes special training that often includes trade school. From training and certification tips to landing that first job, this page will show you how to become a locksmith.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to learn to become a locksmith? Locksmiths are trained to install new locks, make copies of existing locks, create master keys, open safes and even repair faulty electronic lock systems. Many locksmiths are also security consultants, working with businesses to improve their overall security needs.

Locksmiths may help us feel more secure by changing our locks or installing additional locks, including deadbolts. Some locksmiths will come out to help you at odd hours if you're locked out of your house or car, providing much-needed relief. Being a locksmith does take training; as technology has advanced, so have locks. Many homes, businesses and vehicles now have intricate electronic locks to guard against intruders.

• In most cases, a bachelor's degree is not a hard and fast requirement for becoming a locksmith. A high school diploma or GED is typically required. Many trade schools offer training and general instruction in locksmithing.

The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) offers literally hundreds of classes to help you become a certified locksmith; the organization also provides scholarships to those who are looking to get started in the field and who may need financial help to take locksmithing courses. Classes can often be taken on weekends, allowing you to continue working in another job while training to become a locksmith.Associated Locksmiths of America: Education If you need more information on what schools in your area offer locksmithing courses, consider asking a local locksmith - many times they are very aware of what courses are offered locally.

1. Take classes in locksmithing at trade schools; online courses may also available. Many courses can be completed in a matter of a few weeks.Associated Locksmiths of America: Why Should I Be Certified? (26.73 KB)
2. If you are planning to go into the military, check into any training programs they might offer in locksmithing.
3. Pass a special certification exam.

If you want to become a locksmith, do you need any specific certification? This depends on where you plan on working - the decision to require licenses and certification for locksmiths is up to individual states. Check with your state to determine whether you'll need to secure special certification before you begin working as a locksmith. In addition, keep in mind that having a license may give you an edge to land a new job as a locksmith. Clients may be more willing to hire you if you are certified.

• According to the ALOA, many states have increased their requirement qualifications for those working in locksmithing.http://www.aloa.org/education/pdf/CertificationInformation.pdf The Federal Trade Commission identifies the states that require a license for locksmiths as Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt032.shtm

• Training and certification testing varies, and there are several specialties within the locksmithing field. Locksmithing students can become registered locksmiths, certified registered locksmiths or even certified master locksmiths, depending on the certification they receive.

• Many aspiring locksmiths may choose to work as apprentices. Working as an apprentice may allow you to receive additional work training and instruction that can prove invaluable once you begin working as a locksmith professionally.http://www.apprenticesearch.com/fpTrades/locksmith.asp

The locksmithing profession has evolved in recent decades. With advancements in technology, many locksmiths are now trained to install and repair intricate security systems. While most locksmiths can work on locks of all kinds, many choose to specialize in different fields of the profession. Some focus primarily on automotive or motorcycle locks, others on home locks or even security protection.http://www.aloa.org/education/pdf/CertificationInformation.pdf In addition, a growing number of locksmiths are being trained in "forensic locksmithing." They are trained to recognize whether a lock has been picked and, if so, how.http://www.intelnetwork.org/members/2002LockmithIAIL.html

1. Many locksmiths choose to work solely on automotive or motorcycle keys or locks. This involves both working in a store and making remote calls to help drivers who may have misplaced their master keys. Some locksmiths travel with special equipment that allows them to make new keys on the spot.
2. Some locksmiths are specially trained in home security matters. In addition to providing basic locks and deadbolts on doors and/or windows, some locksmiths deal with security alarms or personal safes in homes.
3. Locksmiths can be retained as security consultants for corporations, schools or other types of businesses. Some employees may even choose to take locksmith training courses to add to their duties in the workplace.
4. Some locksmiths choose to specialize in forensic locksmithing; many consult with police to try to determine how a break-in occurred in a home, automobile or business.

You have decided to become a locksmith and enrolled in and completed the necessary certification courses. Now what? Find that first job! Many locksmiths start out as apprentices, completing thousands of hours worth of on-the-job training to hone their skills before setting out on their own. Most apprenticeships are paying positions, though the pay is often significantly less than that of a full-fledged locksmith.http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/apprentices/app_train.html http://www.apprenticesearch.com/fpTrades/locksmith.asp

1. Create a resume. Have you obtained proper certification and completed all professional training? If so, list that information prominently. For more information on how to write a top-notch resume, check out Mahalo's guide on How to Write a Resume.
2. Consider the type of locksmithing you'd most like to do. Some locksmiths work in stores while others choose to set out on their own, creating a mobile locksmithing business. Still others choose to work on retainer for various businesses.
3. Can you earn a good living as a locksmith? According to CNN Money's salary wizard, the average annual pay for a locksmith and safe repairer ranged from $26,855 to $39,461.http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_SC16000175.html

When you're considering finding a job as a locksmith, you need to think long and hard about how hard and how often you'll be willing to work. People are always locking their keys in their car, or finding themselves locked out of their home or apartment, even in the early hours of the morning. Many locksmiths work "on call" - meaning that they're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and on holidays to assist if an emergency arises.http://www.locksmithsregister.com/emergency_locksmiths.php Would this suit your lifestyle?

• Working as a locksmith requires much more than technical knowledge. Locksmiths must be patient, trustworthy and personable. Most deal regularly with customers who may be anxious about their own personal security, or companies that need a job completed quickly. A locksmith's job isn't always easy, but this highly skilled position can be very rewarding for the dedicated professional. Good luck!