Knowing that the locksmith you’re hiring is truly trustworthy and skilled is important. After all, we’re essentially handing over access to our cars, homes, and businesses to a (potentially) complete stranger. You could go by their word – but what weight does that have? Some features to look for include having a locksmith certification and a locksmith license.
It’s understandable to assume that in order to be a locksmith, a license is required. However, only 15 states require practicing locksmiths to have a license:
- Alabama
- California
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
If you are located in a state that does not require a license, it is of even more importance to ensure the locksmith you are hiring is either certified or licensed.
So what’s the difference between being certified and being licensed?
A locksmith certification is given by the ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) that confirms the individual is professionally recognized and qualified to perform locksmithing. There are 3 types of general certifications a locksmith can earn: a certified registered locksmith (CRL), a certified professional locksmith (CPL), and a certified master locksmith (CML). In order to obtain a CRL certification, one has to pass a written examination on 12 different categories. Below are the 10 required categories (the other 2 can be chosen from a list of specialties):
- Codes and Code Equipment
- Cylinder Servicing
- Key Blank Identification
- Key Duplication
- Key Impressioning
- Professional Lock Opening Techniques
- Lockset Functions
- Lockset Servicing
- Basic Master Keying
- Cabinet, Furniture, and Mailbox Locks
ALOA also issues 3 other specialized types of certifications:
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- Certified Automotive Locksmith (CAL)
- Certified Professional Safe Tech (CPS)
- Certified Master Safe Tech (CMST)
A locksmith license, on the other hand, is issued by the government which allows one to practice as a locksmith or to operate a locksmith business. Requirements for a locksmith license vary by state, but often require having a certification or having completed an approved apprenticeship.
The better you know what types of certification/licensing options there are in your state, the better you can judge how reliable your locksmith is.
Information is power!