How to Become a Locksmith in Alaska

Becoming a locksmith in Alaska may interest you if you intend on furthering your education in security services.

It is a bit more competitive than other fields, but you will succeed in this line of work if you put your mind to it.

Steps to Become a Locksmith in Alaska

1. Sign up for the appropriate training. For best results, you will want to refer to the ALOA Security Professionals Association. This organization along with the corresponding Safetech website will guide you through training and licensing to become a locksmith in Alaska.
2. Seek out opportunities to gain experience. Part of your training will include spending time working under the guidance of experienced locksmiths. Some of your work will be for both pay and credit.
3. Acquire the proper licenses. Refer to the section below concerning licensing requirements. The certification you need depends on your interests and what suits your lifestyle at this time.
4. Find a job and continue to use your skills. The more you learn and the longer you work, that will help you make the most money as a locksmith in Alaska. See the salary selection toward the end of this page to learn more about how much you can earn.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith

You can find more information about Alaska locksmith licensing requirements on the state’s Department of Commerce website.

Performing locksmith services in this state may require a specialty contractor license, which costs about $350 per year.

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This does not include the annual cost for the liability insurance you will also need.

In addition, you probably will have to check into obtaining a general business license if you plan to venture out on your own instead of working for an employer.

Locksmith Programs

Available locksmith training programs include a six-day basic course and four levels of certifications as provided by the ALOA.

You might have the chance to take the Six-Day Basic Course online instead of in-person regardless of location.

However, you still need to make sure you acquire the certification for Alaska if that is where you choose to perform your locksmith duties.

Locksmiths only need a minimum of one of these licenses to become a technician.

However, it would benefit you to seek as many certifications as possible, so you can offer as many services as your customers need.

About the Certifications

You will obtain a license based on the Proficiency Registration Evaluation.

This involves demonstrating proficiency in at least 10 of 36 mandatory categories, including Key Duplication and Impression, Lock Opening Techniques, Basic Master Keying, Furniture, Mailbox Locks, and more.

Certification Levels

Training curriculum may vary, but your instructors will present you with all core fundamentals for safe and legal operation as an Alaska locksmith.

You will have the chance to partake in one preliminary and five additional certification levels.

The training for this takes varying times to complete from a few months to at least a couple of years.

Preliminary Training as an ALOA Fundamental Locksmith (AFL) – First, complete the Six-Day Basic Locksmithing Course.

Then, move on to this one to receive your AFL certificate.

You will need this to become an apprentice, which will help you gain locksmith experience.

• Level 1 Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL) – You can pick two categories for certification at this level, which also requires that you have a general idea of how to perform basic locksmithing duties. It calls for having passed the required proficiency test in at least 10 mandatory categories.
• Level 2 Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL) – By this time, you will have become proficient in and have already acquired your Level 1 CRL training. As an official Certified Professional locksmith, you will have obtained training and licensing in at least 12 additional categories of your choosing.
• Level 3 Certified Master Locksmith (CML) – It is the highest level you would reach when moving through the Proficiency Registration Program educational track. To receive your CML certificate, you must first prove you have become skilled in at least 90 percent of the locksmithing and electronic safety tasks you would perform.
• Level 4 Certified Professional Safe Technicians (CPS) – In addition to opening, repairing, and replacement of regular locks, having a CPS certificate demonstrates knowledge in at least 17 vault and safe categories. To work at this level, you must show a history of trust and understand all the nuances of restoring the security of personal and business belongings.
• Level 5 Certified Master Safe Technician Certified Master Safe Technician (SMST) – It offers you the most advanced knowledge and prepares you for some of the most complicated scenarios that require a locksmith. You might even use your expertise to help the police crack criminal cases and will have become acquainted with various wireless security technologies.

Recommended Schools

Penn Foster offers the Locksmith & Home Security Technician educational track that only takes about 8-12 months to complete.

You can also refer to the ALOA website for additional training opportunities, including some that require little to no in-person classroom training.

Alaska Locksmith Salary

The locksmith salary in the United States ranges between $46,898-$60,939.

In Alaska, the average yearly earnings calculate at approximately $60,600.

The amount of education, experience and skills, and the types of certifications you have will affect how much you can make as a locksmith, which usually equals about $29.13 per hour in this state.

Sources

• https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/5/pub/con4818.pdf
• https://www.aloa.org/documents/How-to-CERTIFY-in-2021.pdf
• https://www.aloa.org/education/aloa-education.html
• https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/locksmith-salary/ak

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