Certified Locksmith in Houston
Certification and licensing for locksmiths is essential because apart from lock and safe handling they teach ethics. Locksmith in Houston Licensed and educated lock or safe expert has proven their dedication to earning client trust, in addition to learning the trade.
Getting licensed and certified in this industry takes time and a lot of training, so it’s no easy feat attaining master level status.
What Certification for Locksmiths Looks Like
A background check – anyone seeking licensing must go through a criminal background check.
Getting a pocket card – Members of the industry must be able to identify themselves to others, and the standard method of doing so is with a pocket card.
Become a qualified manager – Following coursework and work experience, a professional can elect to become a qualified manager of their own shop by taking the Qualified Managers exam.
Maintain the license – To maintain licensing, a qualified manager has to complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years. One of those hours must be a course in ethics. This keeps a professional up to date with the field and aware of any new developments.
After Licensing
Licensed experts can work independently or as part of a shop as long as they want, but when they want to advance their career and improve their professional standing, they go get certified. Certification for locksmiths can take many forms, depending on where a professional wants to take their career.
For the most part, certification is handled through the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), which is generally considered the industry’s best certification organization. Some of the certification tracks the ALOA offers are:
Certified Automotive Locksmith (CAL)
To attain CAL certification, a professional has to pass the CAL exam and demonstrate strong knowledge of all things pertaining to automotive locksmith.
Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL)
CRL certification is where most professionals start once they become licensed. To attain CRL certification, a professional must first pass examinations in 10 mandatory categories. They include: codes and code equipment, cylinder servicing, key blank identification, key duplication, key impression, professional lock opening techniques, lockset functions, lockset servicing, basic master keying and cabinets, furniture and mailbox locks.
Beyond those 10 exams, a professional must also complete two elective exams, of which there are 26 to choose from.
Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL)
CPL certification is the next step beyond CRL, and to attain it, a professional first has to get CRL certification. Once they have, they then have to pass 12 additional elective exams. By the time a professional achieves CPL certification, they are advanced in general locksmith and a specialist in many areas.
Certified Master Locksmith (CML)
CML certification is the highest level of certification that a professional can reach. To attain it, a professional has to complete CPL certification and then has to complete 90 percent of available elective exams. Locksmith Houston CML certified professionals are experts in their field, and have advanced knowledge of industry technology, including electronic security systems.