Now Providing Mobile Locksmith Services Only - 570-586- 2930
PO Box 270
Clarks Summit, PA 18411 Honesdale, PA 18431
570-586-2930 570-253-1476
570-586-2837 - Fax - Call First
About Us

Printer Friendly Version

A Career in Locksmithing

Locksmithing is the science and art of making and defeating locks. A lock is a mechanism that secures buildings, rooms, cabinets, or other storage facilities from theft by burglars.

Locksmithing includes jobs involved in repairing, overhauling, modifying, testing, and installing a variety of locking devices typically found on doors, desks, compartments, mobile equipment, safes, vaults, and other secured locations. The work includes the manufacture and duplication of keys and the keying and combination of locking mechanisms.

The work requires a knowledge of the construction, operation, and functional characteristics of locking devices, and skill in manufacturing replacement parts, devising or changing combinations, establishing master keying systems, neutralizing lockouts, and a variety of installation and repair processes such as filing, drilling, chiseling, and grinding.

The Associated Locksmiths of America Inc. (ALOA) is an international professional organization of highly qualified security professionals engaged in consulting, sales, installation and maintenance of locks, keys, safes, premises security, access controls, alarms, and other security related endeavors.


  ALOA PRP RECERTIFICATION PROGRAM 


The security industry is in a constant state of evolution. To protect the integrity and advance the professionalism of the CRL, CPL, and CML designations, the ALOA Board of Directors through the ALOA Education Department (AED) has mandated that all holders of ALOA certifications achieved after January 1, 2006 pursue professional development and continuing education in order to maintain proficiency and credibility. 

Those that achieved their designations prior to January 1, 2006 are exempt from the AED requirement for recertification; however, to remain a member of ALOA, they will have to comply with the ALOA Active membership requirement to have and maintain an ALOA recognized certification. 

Recertification requirements established by the AED involve obtaining a specified number of credits (16 pts within three years), in areas such as education, training, writing, and volunteer leadership in locksmith/security and business management associations. The AED will review and revise activities approved for credit as appropriate. 

Recertification activity must be submitted to the ALOA Education Department every three years for holders of the CRL, CPL, and CML designations. Certification holders will be required to submit a recertification activity form prior to the expiration of their current certification. While documentation other than the activity form will not be required, the Certification holder may be asked to submit backup documentation when requested. 

For further information contact ALOA Education Department: 

(800) 532-2562 x1 01 

Email: education@aloa.org 

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION INFORMATION 

As an international trade association, ALOA recognizes professionalism and proficiency among locksmiths and safe technicians by granting the designations Registered Locksmith (RL), Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL), Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL), Certified Master Locksmith (CML), Certified Professional SafeTech (CPS), and Certified Master SafeTech (CMST). Available to all locksmiths and safe technicians, the Proficiency Registration Program (PRP) evaluates, through participation tracking and testing, the educational and technical competence of dedicated individuals in a wide range of subjects including; Automotive locksmithing, Generallocksmithing, Electronic Access Control, and Safe and Vault service. 

REGISTERED LOCKSMITH (RL) 

The designation for Registered Locksmith is - RL. John Doe, RL, was "grand fathered" into the program at its inception in 1985 (this grandfather program is no longer available) or is an active locksmith who has received twelve ALOA Education Units (AEU) by completing twelve ALOA Continuing Education (ACE) Classes consisting of eight hours each. An RL is recognized for training or experience, but is not tested or certified. This is not a path for advanced certification levels. 

CERTIFIED REGISTERED LOCKSMITH (CRL) 

The first level of locksmith certification is Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL). 

A Certified Registered Locksmith has passed the ten mandatory categories, as well as at least two specialized electives of his choice. A CRL has a good working knowledge of general locksmithing. To achieve this first level of certification, a passing grade (70%+) is required on the mandatory section and any two electives. 

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL LOCKSMITH (CPL) 

The second level of locksmith certification is Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL). A Certified Professional Locksmith has earned the CRL designation and 

has successfully completed an additional twelve elective categories. A CPL has an advanced knowledge of generallocksmithing and of many specialized areas. To achieve this intermediate level of certification, a passing grade is required on each of any twelve additional electives. 

Note: This information was taken directly from ALOA's website (WWW.ALOA.ORG). 

CERTIFIED MASTER LOCKSMITH (CML) 

The highest level of locksmith certification is Certified Master Locksmith (CML). 

A Certified Master Locksmith has reached the highest level of ALOA's Proficiency Registration Program and has successfully demonstrated proficiency in ninety percent of the available categories of the Proficiency Registration Program. A CML has advanced knowledge of most areas of locksmithing and electronic security. To achieve this highest level of certification, a passing grade is required on each of any nine of the remaining electives. 


SAFE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION LEVELS


Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS)
The first level of the SafeTech certification is Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS) – A CPS has successfully demonstrated proficiency in 17 safe and vault related categories. A CPS has advanced knowledge of general Safe & Vault categories. 

Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST)

The highest level of the SafeTech certification Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST) – A CMST has successfully demonstrated advanced knowledge in most areas of safe and vault related categories. 

To achieve the highest level of certification, Certified Master Safe Technician, you must be a CPS and achieve a passing grade (70%+) on the Certified Master Safe Technician exam.

SAFE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION CATEGORIES


The Certified Professional Safe Technician Categories are: 

• Lock Identification • UL Standards For Safes Vault and Safe Locks 
SMNA & JIS Ratings Tools and Their Usage Safe Lock Servicing and Changing Troubleshooting and Dialing Diagnostics The Theory of Manipulation Safe Lock Installation Basic Safe and Lock Construction 
Safe Installation GSA Equipment Safe and Vault Door Adjustments/Alignment Safe Drilling/Penetration Post-Penetration Repairs Safe Deposit Locks  Key-Operated Safe Locks Safe-Related Electronics • 

The Certified Master Safe Technician categories are: 

Lock Identification UL Standards For Safes Vault & Safe Locks 
SMNA & JIS Ratings Tools & Their Usage Safe Lock Servicing & Changing Troubleshooting & Dialing Diagnostics The Theory Of Manipulation Safe Lock Installation Basic Safe & Lock Construction 
Safe Installation GSA Equipment Safe & Vault Door Adjustments & Alignment Safe Drilling Post-Penetration Repairs Safe Deposit Locks 
Key-Operated Safe Locks Safe-Related Electronics Advanced Dialing Diagnostics Manipulation Uncommon Safes & Locks Advanced Safe Deposit Locks Time Locks Night Depositories High-Security Safe Construction Safe Penetration Advanced Borescope Techniques•  Composite & High-Security Safe Repair Vaults & Vault Doors 

Commercial
Residential
Automotive
Restricted Keys
Resources
e border=
Contact Us
Keystone Lock & Key Service

PA Home Improvement Contractor Registration 

# PA 044339

 

 

Certifications:
CML - Certified Master Locksmith
CPS - Certified Professional Safe Technician
GSA Lock, Vault & Container Certified Technician & Inspector
 
LOCKSMITH CERTIFICATION CATEGORIES 

The Proficiency Registration Program currently consists of thirty-five categories, ten of which are mandatory. The mandatory categories are: 

• Codes and Code Equipment • Cylinder Servicing 

• Key Blank Identification • Key Duplication 

• Key Impressioning • Prof. Lock Opening Techniques 

• Lockset Functions • Lockset Servicing 

• Basic Master Keying • Cabinet, Furniture, and Mailbox Locks 

The remaining twenty-five categories are electives that may be selected according to each locksmith's field of specialization or expanding knowledge. This number will vary as technology changes. Each elective contains between twenty-five and forty questions, depending on the subject covered. The elective categories are: 

• Domestic Automotive • Foreign Automotive • Door Closers • Life Safety Codes • High Security Cylinder Servicing • Special Application Cylinder Servicing       • Basic Electricity • Keyless Mechanical Locks • Motorcycle Locks • Safe Deposit Locks          • Lockset Installation • Safe Installation • Small Format Interchangeable Core         • Electromechanical Access Control • Alarms • Tubular Key Cylinder Servicing • Exit Hardware and Exit Alarms 
• Lever Tumbler/Non-Safe Deposit Locks • Safe Combination Locks   • Time Locks • Advanced Master Keying • Safe Opening and Servicing • Large Format Interchangeable Core • Related Door Hardware • Detention Locking Systems 

Interested in a career in locksmithing? 

Review this information and contact us for more information. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office Hours/Business Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 - 5:30

Saturday 9:00 - 12:00

After Hour Emergency Service

Copyright © Keystone Lock and Key Service - All Rights Reserved. 
Privacy Policy
Created and maintained by On Track Design