Twisted T wrote:I've been reading the thread about certification and licensing and I'm a little confused. Am I to understand that in order to get a license you DO NOT have to be certified? Just apply for the license and you're good to go? I live in Nebraska and I want to get licensed but if I don't have to have that certification that would help immensely as far as financially. I sure would appreciate some clarity on this.
A certification will help you get hired by a locksmith shop looking for qualified workers. Otherwise you're just another handyman walking in asking for a job like everyone else in this bad economy who is looking for a job or to start a second career or a small business.
The state just wants their money for registering as a locksmith or business, your local city or town will also want some money, and you'll probably want to get a tax ID unless you're doing a DBA and using your social security number as a way to keep track of income you make when you report it on your taxes.
The certification will also give you confidence as well as a basic foundation and education on the basics of locksmithing so that you aren't spending the first 6 months butchering customer's doors while you learn the trade. Without knowing the basics, there's sure to be some mistakes made, and it may cost you customers, or even your reputation if you screw up enough times, or at best you'll be eating a lot of time and labor on jobs while you're learning.
Whats your end goal? small business? working for someone else? lockouts only? auto lockouts? residential and commercial installs?
Squelchtone