Has anyone taken the Associated Locksmiths of America Exam?

[d_Random]

I live in North Carolina and according to the Associated Locksmiths of America website they provide the locksmith licensing exam for North Carolina.
Has anyone taken the ALOA exam?
Any information that you can provide about the exam would be the much appreciated!

[victorylocksmith]

Never really understood the point of exams or even licensing, you either know how to do the work or you don't. Either that or you figure it out while working, I find in our field it's more of an issue of generating work rather than showing off of fancy certs.

[d_Random]

Never really understood the point of exams or even licensing, you either know how to do the work or you don't. Either that or you figure it out while working, I find in our field it's more of an issue of generating work rather than showing off of fancy certs.

I agree with you, but i have to take the NC exam to get my license to be legal.

[GWiens2001]

Never really understood the point of exams or even licensing, you either know how to do the work or you don't. Either that or you figure it out while working, I find in our field it's more of an issue of generating work rather than showing off of fancy certs.

I agree with you, but i have to take the NC exam to get my license to be legal.

Glad you are working on keeping it legal.

Unfortunately, have not taken that exam, so can't give any pointers. If you do find some study material, please let me know where.

Good luck to you, d_Random

Gordon

[petersmiths]

I have not taking this exam either, but i wouldn't mind taking it.
Making it mandatory in all states would be a good thing in my eyes
If you know your job, then why be against an exam anyway

[tomasfuk]

...Making it mandatory in all states would be a good thing in my eyes
If you know your job, then why be against an exam anyway...

Why? Do you think it will improve the quality of services to customers so much that it will justify the increase of services' price? (Somebody must pay the time and money which the locksmith invested into making the examination).

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Never really understood the point of exams or even licensing, you either know how to do the work or you don't.

Licensing and exams have two different goals in mind.

Licensing typically proves you've passed a background check and maintain insurance although more and more States are including proficiency testing in order to be licensed (Alabama, Illinois, NC, etc.). Exams or certifications simply demonstrate proficiency.

When I teach classes to building and facilities managers, I go over the certifications of the big associations (ALOA, DHI, SAVTA, ASIS, etc.) - I stress that contractors with these designations are a safe bet because not only have they taken the time to display their knowledge, they've done so with reputable associations with reputable testing procedures. I tell them that anyone can claim to be certified but this can be verified through all certifying associations with a simple phone call.

As an aside, more and more job postings are now requiring a minimum of a CRL, especially on the institutional side. Emory University is hiring a Sr. Locksmith right now and they won't even look at your application unless you have the CRL designation.

So, whether you understand the point or not, the industry trend is moving towards looking for individuals that hold certifications. Requiring a CRL was unheard of 5-6 years ago.

There is a PRP sitting in Georgia this month - anyone can PM me if you want the details.

[Squelchtone]

...Making it mandatory in all states would be a good thing in my eyes
If you know your job, then why be against an exam anyway...

Why? Do you think it will improve the quality of services to customers so much that it will justify the increase of services' price? (Somebody must pay the time and money which the locksmith invested into making the examination).

So you make a good point about paying for the locksmiths time and money invested into training. Let me give you an example and ask which would you prefer:

Do you prefer a man who says yes, I'm a locksmith I have the tools and I can drill your door lock open in 30 minutes by drilling 5 holes into the lock and I will only charge you $50 dollars, or would you prefer a locksmith with proper training who can open the lock in 10 minutes drilling only 1 hole in the correct location, and charge you $100 dollars?

In the US, there seems to be many handymen who see locksmith work as something easy to do or as a second career when the economy is not looking good, but I do not want to trust some handyman cowboy contractor with a beat up pick up truck to call himself a locksmith and pick, drill, or install my locks no better than anyone else could do. What happens if he drills into something and I need a new door frame or he breaks the door glass? Will this person have papers or proper insurance coverage?

That's why I support proper training and licensing, and even paying a little more per hour if it means that person has those things.
Squelchtone

[Tyler J. Thomas]

I have not taking this exam either, but i wouldn't mind taking it.
Making it mandatory in all states would be a good thing in my eyes
If you know your job, then why be against an exam anyway

Most older locksmiths are afraid that if they fail the exam then they'll be out of a job. That is why most are vehemently opposed to it. That's just proficiency - not licensing.

[tomasfuk]

That's why I support proper training and licensing, and even paying a little more per hour if it means that person has those things.
Squelchtone

I think I understand your point of view. Maybe it works in the U.S.A.
But not in my country. What works at us is recommendations, customer references, own experience with the supplier from previous deals etc.

[tomasfuk]

Follow-up...
Can any certificate of qualification protect the customer from a locksmith with expired insurance? From a guy who simulates 1 hour effort while 5 minutes suffice? From a workman who intentionally cuts the keys deeper? From a professional who compromise the lock security instead of repairing it?
All of them perfectly know what they are doing.
The certificate can protect against a loser who has a weak knowledge and skills. But such guy will be eliminated soon - either he learns what's necessary or gets no work.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

The certificate can protect against a loser who has a weak knowledge and skills. But such guy will be eliminated soon - either he learns what's necessary or gets no work.

If that were true then there wouldn't be a problem with locksmith scammers in the United States. They know very little but still get plenty of work even in licensed states. That's why it's important for locksmiths to start changing the perception of the trade by getting certifications and sharing them on their LinkedIn page or company website or storefront location.

I don't see the rub in getting certified in something you claim to know. Proficiency testing and continuing education should be as mandatory as background checks in this trade.

I've seen guys that "have been doing this for 30 years and don't need a test to prove what I know" perform work worst than an apprentice. Can you imagine the customer's perception if someone with decades of experience comes to their house and can't even install a simple lock? That was the story of a Pop-A-Lock employee in Atlanta. He couldn't figure out how to install an "Ultimate Lock" and packed up and left. Who fixed his mess up? Me - with just a year or two experience in the trade under my belt.

If there is one thing I've learned in this trade it's that experience doesn't mean much of anything. There are guys still out filing plugs because that's how they were taught and they don't know any differently. They would know it's the wrong thing to do if they studied the trade, attended classes, and/or took certification tests. If you fail? So what, it's confidential with ALOA, ASIS, DHI, etc. You at least learn what you need to learn - it's like a self-diagnostic test for your industry knowledge.

[tomasfuk]

... Proficiency testing and continuing education should be as mandatory as background checks in this trade.

I've seen guys that "have been doing this for 30 years and don't need a test to prove what I know" perform work worst than an apprentice...

It is nothing special in locksmith business. I see the same problems in electric installations business (I am a member of our national committee for normalisation in surge and lightning protection). Who wants to learn, who wants to improve his knowledge and skills, he simply does it, regardless of any certifications. And who does not want to do it, finds ways how to survive without it.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Who wants to learn, who wants to improve his knowledge and skills, he simply does it, regardless of any certifications.

True.

And who does not want to do it, finds ways how to survive without it.

The dynamic is different in the U.S. however. Our industry is plagued by scammers who use the bait and switch tactic. Certifications can assist in protecting the consumer. That's not to say that some scammers haven't taken and passed the certification tests; one person in particular has done so upwards of 30+ times just to get one certification and, by extension, a license in Illinois.

ALOA needs to adopt the same measures as ASIS to protect against this:

Applicants are allowed to take the CPP, PCI, and PSP exam three times in two years. The two-year period begins on the date of approval to take the exam. The first time an applicant fails the exam, the candidate must wait three months before retaking it. The second time an applicant fails the exam, the candidate must wait six months before retaking it. After the third administration, the candidate must submit a new application three years from the last testing date.

I assume it's much different where you are from but certification is vital in the U.S. Legitimate locksmiths should obtain applicable certifications and let their customers know that they have them. The locksmith image needs a makeover in the U.S.; we're considered an "easy trade" that anyone can do. That's simply not the case - those who proclaim that don't know enough to know they don't know enough. It's a long shot but the locksmith trade should treat certifications like the automotive repair industry: you expect automotive repair shops to have at least one person on staff with an ASE certification.

[MatrixBlackRock]

Licensing and exams have two different goals in mind.

And then there is enforcement, here in Florida a trunk slammer can rip someone off and if the ripped off consumer wanted to push it, the police will advise the consumer it is a civil matter so hire an attorney or take the trunk slammer to small claims court.

Prior to licensing that was the state of the security business down here, then in the late 70's some of the larger counties adopted mandatory licensing backed up with stop work orders and fines.

In 1986 the State of Florida invoked statewide licensing of security contractors bringing them into the fold of licensed electrical contractors, they also made certain types of unlicensed contracting a felony and every contractor, even those who where county licensed had to either register or license with the state.

Now with licensing in place, licensed contractors who violate the rules can find themselves before the board who has the authority to fine, suspend or revoke a contractors license, effectively shutting down their business or in some cases turning them into a felon should they continue to do business un-licensed.

While there are and always be some shady folks in the security business, licensing (at the state level) has greatly reduced their numbers.

Wayne






Licensing typically proves you've passed a background check and maintain insurance although more and more States are including proficiency testing in order to be licensed (Alabama, Illinois, NC, etc.). Exams or certifications simply demonstrate proficiency.

When I teach classes to building and facilities managers, I go over the certifications of the big associations (ALOA, DHI, SAVTA, ASIS, etc.) - I stress that contractors with these designations are a safe bet because not only have they taken the time to display their knowledge, they've done so with reputable associations with reputable testing procedures. I tell them that anyone can claim to be certified but this can be verified through all certifying associations with a simple phone call.

As an aside, more and more job postings are now requiring a minimum of a CRL, especially on the institutional side. Emory University is hiring a Sr. Locksmith right now and they won't even look at your application unless you have the CRL designation.

So, whether you understand the point or not, the industry trend is moving towards looking for individuals that hold certifications. Requiring a CRL was unheard of 5-6 years ago.

There is a PRP sitting in Georgia this month - anyone can PM me if you want the details.[/quote]