locksmithing

by **shift788** » 7 Aug 2004 13:24

Hi, im new here, and also compleatly new to lock picking. iv been looking around the forums here, and i finaly decided to get my own set of picks. so today i went to the flee market (theres a guy that owns a lock smith shop there) and went into the lock shop. I asked the guy if he had any picks for sale, and he sead yes. so i sead how much, and he sead that i need a locksmithing licences to leagly own a set of picks. so Im wondering where i can go get a licence. also, am i allowed to order picks off the net, without a licens.

(pleas exscuse all spelling errors)

by **Hak** » 7 Aug 2004 13:37

Pretty much the only the place you can get a locksmith license is to take a locksmithing course and earn it, or forge one :wink:

There are numerous places on the net that you can order lockpicks without a license..

www.lockpickshop.com

www.southord.com

Just to name a few..

by **Guitar_J** » 7 Aug 2004 14:01

For the hobby picker, I'd say Go to one of the previously mentioned websites and get some picks... if you use the sites sponsor (lockpickshop.com) and type in lp101 as a coupon code at checkout, you get 10% off... The guy at the flee market would probably charge 2 arms and an eyeball for them anyway..

by **rakemaster** » 7 Aug 2004 15:22

I've read that in most places in the US there's no such thing as a locksmithing license for individual locksmiths. What there is instead is a license to run a locksmithing business. That requires things like proof of insurance and stuff.

What I've heard tho is that the term licensed locksmith is mostly a myth or doesnt mean what you think it means.

I do know it varys by location and state.

by **eleet** » 7 Aug 2004 17:16

I believe that VA used to regulate locksmiths, as I have seen specific references to this in the law books a long time ago. Apparently they don't anymore, as I can't find anything in the current Code about it:

"Private security services business" means any person engaged in the business of providing, or who undertakes to provide, armored car personnel, security officers, personal protection specialists, private investigators, couriers, security canine handlers, security canine teams, detector canine handlers, detector canine teams, alarm respondents, central station dispatchers, electronic security employees, electronic security sales representatives or electronic security technicians and their assistants to another person under contract, express or implied.

You can't be licensed to deal with alarm systems if you've had a criminal conviction.

by **Timsatx** » 19 Sep 2004 8:04

Does the discount at lockpickshop.com count on the items they also list as having a discount. For examle, the PXS-14 is being listed as $24.95 (29% discounted price). Would that add the 10% you mention on top of that?

Tim

by **alias** » 19 Sep 2004 8:24

Hi Tim,

Whilst Red does occasionally visit the forums, you're likely to get an answer much more quickly by emailing LPS directly (customerservice@lockpickshop.com) ....anyone else here'd just be guessing. My experience with LPS has been that they're very quick to reply, very polite and very helpful so you'll definitely hear back from them.

Andrew

by **sevenply** » 19 Sep 2004 20:38

I am new york and am just looking into lock picking as a hobby. I came across this page in regards to getting licensed:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/062.html

In New York without actually being a locksmith taking an acredited course seems to be the only option for getting licensed. I am actually considering it if I can find an acredited school near by and depending on the price and time.

by **lock_assassin** » 19 Sep 2004 21:13

I live in Indiana (USA) and have contacted the Indiana State Police Licensing Division about a bill pending to allow a locksmith to be registered in the state of Indiana. The trooper told me since the bill was not even close to being passed there was no need (or way) for me to register at this time. I left my contact information with him for future reference but it didn't sound like he was too concerned. All I need to have is a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate (basically a business license and how you report & pay sales taxes) to conduct a locksmithing business, plus he said it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep a miniature copy of any diplomas I get from Foley-Belsaw to prove I have had formal training. He said there are many places to have legitimate ID badges made up if I wanted to go that far also.

If and when there is a law passed I will be sure to get registered/licensed. When I get more experience I plan on getting a membership to the ALOA, but not until I can afford to help pay for the dues out of the business profits and not my own pocket. I know if I want to make a go of it the ALOA membership would be a tremendous help. Several of our local locksmithes don't have the ALOA membership emblem beside of their ads in the yellow pages, only a couple of the bigger companies that probably employ 15-20 guys. The general public probably doesn't even notice the ALOA emblem but I think it shows professionalism and they know you are not just a fly-by-night operation that will butcher the job once they understand what it takes to get that certification.

Sorry to be so long-winded but the closer I get to finishing my Foley-Belsaw course and getting the ball rolling on a real part-time business I get really excited. I have been doing small rekeying jobs for friends and family as well as key duplication too. I have even done my first residential unlock for my in-laws neighbor who locked his keys in the house. Took me 5 minutes to pick a Kwikset that I normally do at home it under a minute, but with everybody watching me, including the cops, it made me really nervous. I now see what you guys mean when you say it is MUCH easier at the workbench! I didn't even charge him and he took me to lunch the next day!

happy picking...

lock_assassin

by **locksmistress** » 20 Sep 2004 12:18

i went to the flee market (theres a guy that owns a lock smith shop there)

Don't know your geography but I'm going to hazard a guess that at flea markets all over the world the vendors apply their own rules to how they make their sales and who they sell to.

It may be that the local law enforcement has advised the guy not to sell picks to people he can't verify are in the industry. "Locksmith License" may very well translate to "I don't know you".

The only point I really have is that wherever you may be located you should probably verify the applicable laws independently.

by **davidgjr** » 20 Sep 2004 12:47

Amen lock_assasin. I am in the same exact position you are with the same goals. Good luck.

David

by **Eyes_Only** » 22 Sep 2004 18:57

Im am currently in the process of applying for a locksmith license in the state of CA. I decided I should apply now because I heard from the CLA that the BSIS is planning on issuing licenses only to locksmiths that has had a minimum number of training and work hours to qualify for licensing, so I want to get it before this new law goes into effect. And one quick question. Im not too farmiliar with all this licensing junk despite all the research Ive done so I want to ask what ligitimacy this ID has... http://www.nles.com/store/customer/prod ... ductid=260 . Can it really serve in place of a locksmith license issued by the state or whatever (in California especially)? Its a stupid question by im just curious.

by **Lockpick Dan** » 26 Sep 2004 8:12

I highly doubt that card means anything. Considering that it is a card that you fill out, they do no background check or any sort of check to see if you're a locksmith. So, anyone could get one and that means that it probably wouldn't mean anything to a law enforcement agent of any sort, not to mension, look at the customer rating.

by **Wesson357** » 26 Sep 2004 13:13

Lockpick Dan wrote:I highly doubt that card means anything. Considering that it is a card that you fill out, they do no background check or any sort of check to see if you're a locksmith. So, anyone could get one and that means that it probably wouldn't mean anything to a law enforcement agent of any sort, not to mension, look at the customer rating.

The card is actually a novelty item. Other cards that appear on the site are: "weapons specialist", "registered mercenary", etc.

by **Romstar** » 26 Sep 2004 18:40

Yeah, but they are great quality cards.

Nothing like having your own custom ID. Could be useful for anyone that doesn't have a state issued ID. They just don't carry any legal weight.

Romstar

locksmithing

locksmithing

Who is online