Locksmith certification/education

[Wolfe]

Ok ive been toying with the idea for a while now to get some certification and formal edcation on locksmithing and safe tech.

This is what i am doing/done so far
Ive been self educating for a while now (Read lots of books,read lots of posts,read lots of papers,got my hands in impressioning,picking,bypass,taken apart many of lock,repinned many of lock, so on).

Taking the Lockmasters undustrial locksmithing 10 day corse on the 9th of dec.

Planning on taking the ALOA certification (CRL,CPL) not sure abou the CPL because not sure about my knowledge.Its just a matter of studing and im not sure what to know for either.I might have enough knowledge to take them both now,but i have no clue.

OR

Is it better to just take ALOAs Basic LS course then get ALOAs certification.

I really dont know what to do and its 2500.00 to take the LSI 10 day course and if dont have to spend it i would rather not.

My goal is to be a regestered certified locksmith and then a registered certified boxman.

Thx in advance
W.

[Beyond]

Those certifications are so outdated and so unimportant in the locksmithing industry that I wouldn't even waste your time. I mean, why are you going to take it? Are you trying to gain employment somewhere? Start your own business?

Those certifications are just ALOA trying to get money out of people. You don't need to be certified to prove you know your stuff. I only know one person at my shop who is certified with ALOA, and he got his many, many years ago, and we've been in business for over a century.

[gotta]

I agree with Beyond as far as ALOA goes. I am no longer a member and I've always had a ton of work. I think the Lockmasters program is worth it only because they are a quality organization. They will also be a good supplier as you will later find out. Your bond, business license, some background checks and fingerprints will get you about anywhere you want to work.

[Wolfe]

wow see i didnt know that.
As far as getting a CRL or CPL from ALOA i just though you had to do this as like a next step thing.

[gotta]

wow see i didnt know that.
As far as getting a CRL or CPL from ALOA i just though you had to do this as like a next step thing.

That's what they'd like you to believe. Early on when I was a member, I looked down on others that weren't. The more I learned, the more I saw them as an ad agency and a for profit organization. I had to eat a few words and change my attitude. Yes, they do have some good training, but you certainly don't need the letters after your name to be a quality locksmith.

[Beyond]

I agree with gotta on the quality of their classes/seminars. The shop I am at has sent me to a few and I look forward to going to more. High quality stuff, really learned a lot.