There is no federal legislation for locksmiths in the United States, although there are several regulations that are enacted in various states, cities and municipalities that control the profession, conduct and contracting of locksmiths and locksmithing businesses or agencies.
There are thirteen states that require licensing for locksmiths in other cities and municipalities within the state. The state’s Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 forbids individuals or agencies to provide the services of and perform the functions of a locksmith as a form of trade or business without the proper licenses issued by the state’s Division of Professional Regulation (DPR).
This law has quite strict guidelines that aim to ensure the honor and professionalism of locksmithing. According to this act, a locksmith can only be given a license if he is at least 18 years old, has not been convicted of any felony, possesses good moral character, is physically and mentally competent, is not an alcoholic or a drug dependent, has not been dishonorably discharged from the US’ armed forces, and has passed a license exam authorized by DPR. He must also have submitted his fingerprints, proof of general liability insurance, plus the license fee. His license may be revoked if he breaks any of the regulations included in this act.
The requirements for obtaining a license for a Auto locksmith agency is equally strict, if not more so. It requires that all of the agency’s locksmiths be licensed, and all its employees be of good moral character. The act also requires an agency to pay regular fees and to assume full responsibility for all its employees’ actions.
Training and re-education of locksmiths are also explicitly stated in Locksmith Act of 2004 and locksmith agencies are required to provide at least 20 hours of training to all its employees. The state requires that all locksmiths in other cities and municipalities of Illinois be knowledgeable about public safety practices and standards, as stated in Life Safety Codes and the Building Code. A course in practical locksmithing must also be included in the 20-hour training. This should be able to impart to the locksmith rules and regulations plus skills training and workshop for master keying, key records and codes, key blanks and key ways, and professional installations. Training also touches on the ethics of the profession.
The ethics seminar is just a parcel of the state’s effort to enforce clear and strict requirements and guidelines regarding the proper conduct of a licensed locksmith in the whole state. The act, together with the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, lays down regulations that will ensure that the locksmith’s trade and his skills are properly compensated while also ensuring that customers right to fair business practices are upheld.
These two laws provide guidelines regarding proper professional identification, service fees, billing and payments. For the protection of both locksmith and client, bypassing, manipulation, originating and duplication of a key must be properly recorded with a copy of the word order from the client filed. Any breach of the standards upheld the these two acts can be a cause for disciplinary sanctions or for revocation of license. locksmith car key replacement
