How to Become a Locksmith in Delaware

Working as a locksmith in Delaware starts with applying to a school for training.

Locksmiths are involved with repairing, installing, and maintaining locks, keys, and safes.

Therefore, training also involves getting fingerprinted and a background check.

As you can imagine, this is not the typical 9-to-5 job.

You need to be wholly prepared before you begin this career to know what you are getting into.

Here are the steps to becoming a locksmith in Delaware.

Steps to Become a Locksmith in Delaware

1. Select a school for locksmithing in Delaware to receive training on maintaining, installing, repairing, and unlocking locks, keys, and safes.
2. Choose a school that has a reputable apprenticeship program so you can be an intern-type employee who is training but not necessarily getting paid.
3. Learn the art and skills of the craft by practicing locksmithing and safe repair.
4. Purchase tools and equipment to satisfy the expectations of locksmiths in Delaware.
5. Start an apprenticeship program to train in person as a locksmith.
6. Complete school with a certificate in locksmithing in Delaware.
7. Invest in a business license as a locksmith from the state Department of Labor or licensing.
8. Get bonded with insurance to protect your business as a locksmith and safe repairer.
9. Join a locksmith organization or association in your state or nationally, i.e. the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), which has a Security Professionals Association.
10. Apply for a job with a company that hires locksmiths or as a contractor for companies that need a locksmith or safe repairer on standby, such as for emergencies.

Everyone’s path is different and you may need to complete other processes, such as passing a background check or opening a banking account to get a business license.

In addition, your local jurisdiction may have specialized rules for locksmithing and safe repair businesses.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith in Delaware

Currently, there are no requirements that locksmiths in Delaware must follow.

You do not have to be certified or have a special license as a locksmith.

However, there are state guidelines in the Delaware Code that require a locksmith to do some reporting.

The Secretary of Public Safety requires any locksmith with a master key to notify the department every six months.

Beyond having to report your master key information to the Security of Public Safety in Delaware, there are requirements for purchasing a business license.

This would need to be an applicable business license to cover your operations.

You can be employed by a company and have a master key, or you are a privately contracted locksmith.

Consider how you are going to reach customers if you are running your locksmith, key, and safe repair company.

Whether you are working solo or have a team of locksmiths under your LLC, you will need to be able to market to those in need of your services.

Along with traditional Yellow Pages listings, look at your regional chamber of commerce offices for membership options that will add you to customer directories.

Also, check out online listings, such as on Google, and through social media, i.e. Facebook, to boost reach.

Locksmith Programs

The locksmithing programs in Delaware support the trade needs of locksmiths and safe repairer professionals.

Learning the tools and skills of the craft of locksmithing is essential to being able to be hired as a locksmith.

There are several schools and locksmithing programs you can enroll in, such as:

• Delaware Technical Community College
• Ashworth College
• Penn Foster Career School

These are primarily online programs, as the state lacks schools with in-person training.

However, since there are no licensing requirements, you only need to learn the tools of the trade, which you can do online.

Generally, when getting licensed, you are required to have a minimum number of in-person working hours.

With a lack of state certification requirements, this is not an issue for locksmiths in Delaware.

Salary

In Delaware, the annual salary for a locksmith is $58,320.

This is based on a range of salaries, as well as according to the number of customers you are working for.

For a locksmith who is hired professionally by a company, there will be more customers to work for thanks to a larger presence and stronger marketing and advertising.

However, for a locksmith who is working independently and in a smaller town, there may be a lack of regular customers who need such services.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2024