I think I'm in over my head

[redzebra]

So...
I registered with this site some months ago, said hi, and...poof!..haven't been back since, till now. Something about work, family, and a bunch of fun little projects, like trying to get in to locksmithing.

My wife's grandfather (grandfather-in-law? is there such a thing?) was a locksmith for 20 - 30 some odd years in the SoCal high desert before retiring to Texas. Beginning locksmithing in California is different than it is in Texas. I have been "apprenticing" from him (learning stuff) sporadically, but he's not officially registered here, and doesn't do the work anymore. That's not the problem...

Trying to find somebody to work under is. If I read the requirements to be a locksmith in Texas right, I have to apprentice under a previously state certified one for 2 - 3 years. I'm not even thinking about the test yet. If I look in the phone book, or google nearby locksmiths, I get 3: one that's wanting to retire, one that is retired (or dead), and the other is too busy. Living in the rural NE Texas portion doesn't help.

This is more of a rant, me venting than anything else. I not wanting to find a way to buck the system, in case anyone is wondering.

[Squelchtone]

Moved this to the forum's Locksmith - Training & Licensing sub forum. The place you put is for asking beginner lock picking questions

welcome back, poke around and enjoy the forum
Squelchtone

[Tyler J. Thomas]

So...
I registered with this site some months ago, said hi, and...poof!..haven't been back since, till now. Something about work, family, and a bunch of fun little projects, like trying to get in to locksmithing.

My wife's grandfather (grandfather-in-law? is there such a thing?) was a locksmith for 20 - 30 some odd years in the SoCal high desert before retiring to Texas. Beginning locksmithing in California is different than it is in Texas. I have been "apprenticing" from him (learning stuff) sporadically, but he's not officially registered here, and doesn't do the work anymore. That's not the problem...

Trying to find somebody to work under is. If I read the requirements to be a locksmith in Texas right, I have to apprentice under a previously state certified one for 2 - 3 years. I'm not even thinking about the test yet. If I look in the phone book, or google nearby locksmiths, I get 3: one that's wanting to retire, one that is retired (or dead), and the other is too busy. Living in the rural NE Texas portion doesn't help.

This is more of a rant, me venting than anything else. I not wanting to find a way to buck the system, in case anyone is wondering.

I don't think you're reading the requirements right. I know for a fact that you qualify for the PSB's exam when you complete ALOA's 6 day Basic Locksmithing class (which they hold in Dallas frequently).

You should probably reach out, and possibly join, one of Texas' many locksmith associations to help answer your questions.

[redzebra]

Thank you, Squelchtone. This is what happens when I don't visit enough, I lose my place.

Thank you also, Confederate, for setting me straight. I've just been letting myself overwhelmed and getting things mixed up. I went back and re-read the basics quals from Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 (...ugh!) and Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 35, sect 35.123, both last night and this morning. I'm still gonna have some trouble on part C for that last bit.

When I started this adventure last November, I took my grandfather-in-laws' advice and went with the Foley Belsaw curriculum. That stuff is boring and dry. It was probably relevant back in the late 70s / early 80s, but now, it seems a bit dated in a lot of areas. I'm almost done with it, though.

I'll look into the "48 Course" offered by ALOA. I'm sure the Foley Belsaw will help out then

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Thank you, Squelchtone. This is what happens when I don't visit enough, I lose my place.

Thank you also, Confederate, for setting me straight. I've just been letting myself overwhelmed and getting things mixed up. I went back and re-read the basics quals from Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 (...ugh!) and Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 35, sect 35.123, both last night and this morning. I'm still gonna have some trouble on part C for that last bit.

When I started this adventure last November, I took my grandfather-in-laws' advice and went with the Foley Belsaw curriculum. That stuff is boring and dry. It was probably relevant back in the late 70s / early 80s, but now, it seems a bit dated in a lot of areas. I'm almost done with it, though.

I'll look into the "48 Course" offered by ALOA. I'm sure the Foley Belsaw will help out then

Having taken the Basic Locksmithing course myself years ago and actually seeing the Foley Belsaw books first hand from a former co-worker, I'd advise you to take the 48 hour course and leave it at that. You'll learn so much and can better supplement your knew knowledge via books on specific topics than by also paying for Foley Belsaw.

You are in a good spot if you aren't far from Dallas. ALOA is almost done with a fairly large building with multiple classrooms. They're about to really kick things off with locksmith training. I can't wait to see what they have planned.