How to Become a Locksmith in South Dakota

Do you need a career change but don’t want to go to school for years and years?

If so, you can become a locksmith in South Dakota.

Steps to Become a Locksmith in South Dakota

1. Finish high school and get your diploma.

Either stay in school and get your diploma now or sign up for GED classes as an adult.

2. Take relevant classes now if you can.

If you have the opportunity to study to become a locksmith in high school, take it.

You may at least sign up for introductory courses but wait until you’re 18 to get hired.

3. Enroll in relevant postsecondary courses.

It’s not always easy to find a school near you that has a course specific to locksmithing.

You may want to try it online or take some classes related to security technology.

4. Join ALOA.

ALOA is the Associated Locksmiths of America.

They have primary authority on locks, keys, safes, and vault certifications.

You also may want to consider finding a local chapter you can use as an educational resource.

5. Search for apprenticeship opportunities.

Look for them in local job listings or call potential employers.

This is also one of the best ways besides contacting ALOA to learn how to acquire certification training.

You can become an apprentice in as little time as six days.

6. Continue developing your skills.

This comes with renewing your current certificates and adding new certifications to your resume.

You could study for up to five different locksmithing and security levels.

Continuing in your training could prevent job complacency and boredom.

Locksmithing Programs

Locksmithing programs should cover the certificate content you plan to study for.

This will help you pass the required sections of the Proficiency Registration Program (PRP) exam.

Possible Certifications

You have the chance to earn one of several possible certifications.

These include three professional locksmithing levels and two safe and vault certificates.

The Locksmithing Certifications

Locksmithing Certifications provided by the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) include the CRL, CPL, and CML.

CRL stands for Certified Registered Locksmith, which requires a passing grade in the mandatory portions of your exam and two electives you chose.

The CPL certification requires that you pass at least 12 new categories you haven’t yet earned as a CRL.

CPL stands for Certified Professional Locksmith, by the way.

You can also become a Certified Master Locksmith, otherwise known as the CML.

This level requires that you pass nine more elective categories you didn’t at the lower levels.

Upper-level locksmithing certificates also prove proficiency in electronic security.

This is where you start to work with advanced coding, especially if you later want to open safes and vaults.

The Safe and Vault Certifications

ALOA has two safe and vault certifications it provides via SAVTA.

These include the CPS (Certified Professional Safe) Technician and the CMST (Certified Master Safe Technician.

At these levels, you probably could repair or maintain just about any lock or safe there is.

Schools for Locksmiths

One of the main online locksmithing schools serving South Dakota is Penn Foster.

They also have a means of helping you earn your high school diploma if you haven’t yet.

Then, you can take the Locksmith & Home Security Technician certificate course.

Other places to find training include local employers.

Sometimes, they offer the courses right at their office or provide tuition assistance.

If you’re not sure how to become certified, check with ALOA before you sign up for classes.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith in South Dakota

You more than likely will not need to have a license to operate as a locksmith.

On the other hand, you may require licensing for running your own business if you become self-employed.

Potential employers also require certification.

You’re going to need to work for them as an apprentice and gain hands-on experience before you become certified.

By the way, make sure you achieve AFL status before you try to seek employment.

You can accomplish this when you take the Six Day Basic Locksmithing Course.

On the last day of your six-day course, you will then take an exam.

If you pass that test, you will reach ALOA Fundamental Locksmith (AFL) status.

This sets you on the way to completing your first certificate after some time spent as an apprentice.

Salary

The BLS doesn’t have any data as of 2021 regarding how much a locksmith makes in South Dakota.

However, the national average is about $47,810 per year.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2024