Some ALOA questions from a newbie locksmith...

[fsdhy]

So I'm considering ALOA certification now, instead of taking the TAOL exam. First, because ALOA seems to hold more water than TAOL.... Not sure how valid a TAOL cert. would be if I moved out of Ontario... Also, ALOA seems cheaper than TAOL (even though ALOA is in USD and TAOL would be CAD). Keep in mind, I will probably get both eventually... Just so I can put CPL, CPS and TCPL behind my name on my business cards...

My questions are: ALOA PRP exams scheduled on their site are EXAMS only, right? Not an actual CLASS? So I've got to know my shit BEFORE I sign up... I just wanted to make sure. I'm currently awaiting their reply to my request for information on the Dec 4th Six Day Locksmithing Course in Dallas, TX. I thought some of you might know a little about ALOA cert. in the mean time. Are the locksmith exams tough? About how long do they take? Is the safe & vault tech. exam tough? Do you think 2 years of experience + a bookcase full of locksmith literature is enough to get me through enough courses to get my CRL (or maybe even CPL) PLUS my CPS?

Thanks guys, just looking for any general feedback on ALOA certifications, even if it doesn't answer my questions. Thanks.

[kodierer]

ALOA sounds like a great organization, but they frown on sites like this.

[fsdhy]

ALOA sounds like a great organization, but they frown on sites like this.

I guess you're right, I'm only now just realizing that 99.9% of you guys aren't even locksmiths.... Found my way here while looking at picking up a pickset, but maybe its time I find a more appropriate site to discuss these other things... I checked out that locksmith101 (the sister site), but it seems fairly deserted and its a pain in the ass to get registered...

[Raccoon]

Considering that you're doing a lot of moving around to take these classes (you live in Canada, and you're traveling to Texas to take a "become a locksmith in 6 days" course), I would seriously reconsider your options.

Trade your ticket to Texas for one to North Carolina. Their classes are very promising in my eyes, and they are quite affordable. If you register yourself as a locksmith/dealer in NC, the classes are FREE. Or simply sign up for the classes as a non-resident-locksmith and pay a nominal $35.00 registration and $75.00 per class fee. These are real classes taken by real locksmiths, and recognized by the state (which is saying something).

Anyway, here's a link to what they offer.

http://www.northcarolinalocksmithsassoc ... lasses.htm

[Raccoon]

I think it's really worth mentioning... Three and Four hour classes for $75 is only a fraction of what a locksmith charges for their time in the field. The investment should really pay off. I'd recommend grabbing an apartment in NC for several weeks to take a dozen or more classes.

Find out what it takes to register as an NCLA member to pay only $200 making all the classes free.

[Romstar]

If you are really interested in ALOA, sign up and become a member. I can't remember what it costs now, but the ALOA is a USA/Canada organization. While they are not as prominent in Canada, they are here and there are several members in a number of provinces.

Once you are a member you will get a lot of information concerning their certifications tests and locations, as well as information concerning their special seminars which are often hosted by prominent names in each field of locksmithing.

I think at last in the short term you will gain from being an ALOA member, but in the long term, their politics and policies may leave you feeling a little left out. No matter what, you will have gained a great deal of information, as well as some great certifications along the way.

Good luck, and I do hope you stick around here. While the vast majority of the membership are NOT locksmiths, some of us are and there is a wealth of information to be had here.

If you do take the time to become a member of another internet locksmith forum you should try not to mntion too much about LP101. I got bounced from a forum because of that, as did another person on here. Check out Clearstar while you are looking around.

All the best,
Romstar