Training To Be a Locksmith

So you want to become a locksmith, eh? Well you’ve come to the right place. Relative to other trades, locksmithing has a low barrier to entry. You don’t need a fancy degree, years of experience, or even a lot of startup capital. The investment in dollars is fairly low, and you have the opportunity to work for yourself, determine your own hours, and build a business that is virtually recession proof.

However, becoming a locksmith will take time. You’ll need to take classes, get certified, and possibly get a locksmith license (depending on whether or not the city or state you live in requires one).

Typically, you are better off starting your own locksmith business rather than simply settling for a job. Why? Because a locksmith business offers you freedom, flexibility, and – most importantly - unlimited wealth potential. A locksmith job promises an hourly wage and the mirage of security. And while starting your own business might sound risky, it’s really no riskier than trusting your fate and your future to some boss whose always looking for a way to replace you.

Locksmith Education: Courses, Schools, and Training

A high school diploma is typically a good starting point if you’re interested in becoming a locksmith. No fancy college degree is necessary. There are a ton of great trade schools that offer training and locksmith courses.

Most good locksmith training courses and schools will require you to pass a certification exam upon completion of your program of study. This is becoming more necessary as states continue to increase regulation of the locksmithing industry. Depending on the certification you receive, you may become a Registered Locksmith, a Certified Registered Locksmith, or maybe even a Certified Master Locksmith.

Once certified, you may choose to work as an apprentice to get a feel for the locksmith business before starting out on your own, and we certainly wouldn’t discourage that.

Locksmith Business Basics

Once you feel comfortable with your experience in the locksmith industry, you’ll probably want to pursue starting your own locksmith business. You’ll definitely want to decide what niche you’ll focus on in the locksmith industry. Some of your options are…

Commercial Locksmith
Residential Locksmith
Automotive Locksmith
Mobile Locksmith
Emergency Locksmith

So you’ve got to ask yourself some questions. Do you want to work with other businesses and corporations? Do you want to make house calls? Would you like to be a car locksmith? Will you work out of an office or out of your own vehicle (as a mobile locksmith)? Are you by appointment only or are you willing to jump at any emergency call, 24-hours a day?

You have to know yourself, your interests, your personality, and determine how you want to approach your locksmith business. Depending on the area your live in and your competition, you may be able to adjust your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to make a ton of money as a locksmith.

For example, maybe you live in a city of 100,000 people. There are three other locksmiths in town, but there are no commercial locksmiths. There’s your USP. Perhaps you’re the only commercial locksmith specialize in electronic locks. Maybe you’re going to be the only 24-hour locksmith. Maybe all the other locksmiths work out a shop, and you’d prefer to work out a van, taking calls as you go. Or better yet, you’re the only automotive locksmith who specializes in keyless entry locks. There’s your USP. A unique selling proposition is crucial to success in any business, and will be absolutely vital to making real money with your locksmith business.