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How To Become A Locksmith

Locksmith is one of the most lucrative careers in the US. It has seen steady growth in terms of adoption and pay rise in the last couple of years.

By Sarah MichellePublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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A locksmith is a technician that deals with the installation, repairing, maintenance, and replacement of locks at residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.

In modern times, the role of a locksmith has evolved profoundly and now one also deals with the installation of software and access control systems to augment security of people and property. There is a whole new category of work, called auto locksmith, that works around key fobs and locks of vehicles.

What Does A Locksmith Do?

The role of locksmith is evolving with the passage of time. With the invention of smart locks and access control systems, the traditional work of locksmiths is merely one side of the picture.

Now, a locksmith;

● Installs, repairs, maintains, replaces hardware and software.

● Helps clients in finding the right hardware.

● Studies plans to devise a well-rounded security strategy.

● Markets products and services to benefit the clientele.

● Breaks, alters, repairs locks and keys.

● Provides emergency services during after hours and holidays.

● Maintains secrecy regarding sensitive information of clients.

How To Become A Locksmith?

Locksmith is one of the most lucrative careers in the US. It has seen steady growth in terms of adoption and pay rise in the last couple of years. It is only natural that the younger generation is more inclined toward a technical profession that is not going out of fashion any time soon.

Coming of Age

The first criterion to fulfill, if you want to become a locksmith is to be of legal age. In some states, the legal age ceiling is 18 years old while in others, it is 21 years old. However, you need to be of 18 years old to start your training for locksmith.

The Pathway Leading To Becoming A Locksmith

There are two pathways that lead to an aspirant to become a licensed locksmith.

● Apprenticeship

● Formal Institution

Apprenticeship

This path is often taken by people who want to get into the mix of things as early as possible. There is no education limit for getting apprenticeship at a master locksmith. But if you have sound basic knowledge and a keen mind to know more, your chances of acceptance at one of the experienced locksmiths of your choice become more pronounced.

Formal Institution

If you want to learn gradually, one step at a time, or you prefer to go the formal route, you can always find empty slots in the locksmith courses at vocational colleges and community colleges.

After getting enrolled, you need to take requisite classes and training before graduating with a certificate.

Getting License

Once you are done with your training, either through an institution or through a master locksmith, you need to get your license to set up your own shop. Working independently gives you economic freedom and future prospects as a business owner. So, you need to get a state license to do that.

In many states, it is mandatory to work set hours as a qualified locksmith before you are eligible to appear in a license exam. The conditions vary from state to state. For instance, the state of Texas requires aspiring locksmiths to complete a 648-hour locksmith course before applying for a license.

So, check with the state regulations before getting your paperwork in order for a locksmith license.

Certifications and Endorsements

Technology is evolving in the locksmith industry. Manufacturers are competing with one another on making the next big thing. They educate locksmiths in new ways to provide efficient solutions to their clients.

Certification and endorsements are often part of the on-going learning process. They are essential in some cases to retain manufacturers’ warranty for hardware and so on.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Locksmith?

There is no set time one can become a locksmith. There are also differences in who you would call a locksmith, someone with several months of training under his belt, or the one with years of training, apprenticeship, and license.

In any case, it takes from several months to several years to complete training and obtain a license from a competent authority to become a locksmith. Then, there are certifications and on-the-job learning that must be factored in.

Do You Need Qualifications To Be A Locksmith?

In terms of formal education, there is no qualification ceiling when it comes to becoming a locksmith. You need to complete formal training under an institution. Institutions like community colleges and vocational colleges have programs in training young aspirants to become qualified locksmiths.

Then, there is a set criterion for completing time as a qualified locksmith before appearing in the license exam. Only after obtaining a license will you be able to work independently and open your own shop.

This article was a detailed take on how to become a locksmith. If you are aspiring to be one, you need to complete a set education criterion to become a locksmith

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About the Creator

Sarah Michelle

When you talk about the content ideas, no one can help you better than Sarah Michelle. With ample experience in the field and dedication to work has been a pro in increasing the aesthetic value.

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