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Home > ADVICE AND TIPS (FAQS) > How to Become a Locksmith – Advice from UK’s Largest Locksmith Association
If you see locksmithing as a future career, the first thing we recommend is doing your homework. Becoming a locksmith requires a lot of research.
As the UK’s largest locksmith association we have put together this expert guide on everything you need to know about starting your career as a locksmith.
On this page, we will tell you what qualifications are required, how long it takes to become a locksmith to what start-up costs are involved.
It may be an understatement, but one of the most popular questions we regularly get asked is the first question below:
It can take around 3-4 years to become a fully competent locksmith even after taking a 5-day training course. As a locksmith, you are always learning and need to keep up to date with new products and industry related standards changes such as lock standards.
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The most popular & quickest way is by attending a beginner’s locksmith course where you learn from how to cut keys, setup key machines to opening & fitting locks.
We run a 5-day locksmith course perfect for beginners to learn locksmithing in one week.
Some attendees set-up their own business immedia tely after taking our modular courses, gaining experience starting with small jobs and working their way up to larger projects.
Read more becoming a locksmith FAQ’s
The amount of time taken to become a locksmith may be reduced if you were previously a carpenter, joiner or someone with good dexterity/mechanical/electronic skills.
Those who don’t set up their own business go down the employed route or take on a role with as a trainee locksmith.
For questions about our training courses, see our below faq’s with over 25 questions answered related to our courses.
Training FAQs – questions answered Have a question? Contact Us
For those who are looking to become a car locksmith this area of locksmithing will require attending a training course for auto locksmiths which is a specific niche.
Inside our training headquarters at MLA HQ
Before you even start about becoming a locksmith there’s some research we recommend below:
Some areas are overpopulated with locksmiths and you may struggle to make it.
MLA Locksmiths in your area Become a MLA Master locksmith Beginners locksmith courses are a perfect start
If you think the area can support the services of a locksmith then you should ask yourself the following questions:
There are many facets to locksmithing & areas of specialization.
Once the basics have been covered you need to create a locksmith business plan, be realistic with your costs!
Locksmith business plan guide
The average salary of a locksmith can vary and is dependant on a locksmiths experience, as a ballpark figure you can be looking to earn the following:
The wage of a locksmith will depend on many different factors such as:
You could alternatively ask trading locksmiths about salaries in a Facebook group.
Locksmith salary guide Join our Facebook Group
Our beginner’s courses cost from £310 for a 1-day module, £620 for our 2-day beginners course to £1605 for our 5-day beginner’s course.
For specific prices of each course, see our training section for the prices of locksmith courses.
Once you have completed a course and should you decide to set up as self-employed you should think about the following:
A lot of the above will depend on what area of locksmith services you will offer.
Locksmith will need to invest equipment. Safe engineers will need to invest in scopes (examining internal of safes), auto locksmiths will require heavy investment in electronic programming equipment to deal with modern vehicles.
BE A SAFE CRACKER – We run a safes & safe servicing 1 day course for anyone who wishes to start specialising in safes & vaults.
Talk to local locksmiths to see if any are looking to retire and sell the business in the near future.
There may be a deal to be done where they can train you up and you’ll eventually have a business already with a customer base.
View all locksmith training courses
Locksmith course prices & dates
If you want to undertake a locksmithing course then again do your homework.
What our training workshop looks like
We run a range of training courses for beginners new to locksmithing.
Below are some tips to help you choose the correct training course for you.
Train with UK’s largest locksmith association Message us for advice
Next we will cover how you can attend free training classes and seminars.
Yes we said FREE, there are courses free to attend.
It’s worth talking to locksmith suppliers & manufacturers as they often run training courses, some of which may be Free.
Once you become a locksmith access to free training is available to trading locksmiths.
Free locksmith training course list
Members of the MLA can attend free training classes at regional meetings across the UK, and also cheap training classes tailored to members.
Become a member to attend regional meetings
There are over 80 courses and seminars run at Europe’s largest locksmith event.
Over 30 courses will be free over the 3 days and there is even on vehicle training for those who want to learn to be auto locksmiths.
Attend MLA Expo
The Skills to be a locksmith range from as follows:
For the Skills you need to be a locksmith some of our approved locksmiths revealled skills they use each day.
Skills required to be a locksmith
Yes, those who pass the MLA Qualification will receive an Official OFQUAL Level 4 certificate in locksmithing.
This nationally regulated recognised qualification is run with the specialist awarding body ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment).
Official OFQUAL Level 4 in Locksmithing Qualification
Most Recognised Locksmith Qualification – The MLA Qualification (formerly BLI) is arguably the best-recognised proof of competence currently available (and it’s not linked to taking a training course)
Taking the MLA Qualification allows you to become a qualified master locksmith
To read about locksmith qualifications please see our qualification advice page for our expert opinion.
Level 4 in locksmithing – MLA Qualification Locksmith Qualification Programme
The quick answer is NO, there is no qualification required to trade as a locksmith. However, there are certifications that can enhance your career and demonstrate to clients that you are highly skilled & qualified.
Locksmith qualifications guide
There is currently no licensing for locksmiths in the UK, due to the government not wanting to increase the legislative burden on small businesses.
In Ireland, there is a government based licensing scheme run by the PSA.
Are UK locksmiths licensed?
One word of warning relating to training courses – beware of courses that try to sell you tools.
The tools you’ll need will very much depend on the type of work you’ll be doing and also the area of the country you’re based in. Locksmiths have cupboards full of shiny tools that have cost a small fortune and yet never been used.
Choose wisely once you know what you need, and some tools you may actually be able to make yourself.
In other words – make sure you go in with your eyes wide open, it’s not as easy a profession as some training schools may have you believe!
If you fancy getting a feel for what locksmithing is about and want to speak to fellow locksmiths and manufacturers, why not attend Europe’s largest locksmith exhibition for free
Interviews with MLA locksmiths
To read what’s it’s really like to be a locksmith, Craig in Bristol from one of our Approved companies wrote about the day in the life of a locksmith, what job’s he attended & areas covered in the space on 24 hours.
>> Read the diary of a 24 Emergency Locksmith from one of our members.
If you are serious about becoming a locksmith you must do your research first.
Locksmithing in a life long career, not a trade you can learn quickly by taking a short training course.
If you have any questions get advice from the UK’s largest locksmith association.
Read through our becoming a locksmith FAQs below which cover all the important topics to anyone new to locksmithing.
Becoming a locksmith FAQ’s
Request FREE course pack
Contact us for advice
Locksmith Career Guide – 10 Quick Tips
What Knowledge is Required to be a Locksmith? – Quick Checklist
What is the Best Locksmith Course for a Beginner?
Do I need a qualification to trade as a Locksmith? – Official Statement
Skills To Be a Successful Locksmith – Tips from Trading Locksmiths
Can you earn a £60k – £100K salary as a locksmith after a 3 day course?
What qualifications do I need to be a locksmith?
How to Become a Locksmith – Advice from UK’s Largest Locksmith Association
Our Locksmiths are criminal record checked.How we check our locksmiths
Our Locksmiths are Regularly Inspected.How we inspect our locksmiths
Our Locksmiths have passed the MLA Qualification.Read about MLA Qualification
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