How to Become a Locksmith in Washington

A locksmith’s job varies from installing, changing, repairing, and opening a combination of lock systems to cutting and duplicating keys.

As long as there is a need for security, there will be a need for Locksmiths.

Working as a Locksmith can be a lucrative and fulfilling career, especially if you are someone who likes to work with your hands and can manage a group of locksmiths while running your own business.

In this article, we will break down the steps to becoming a locksmith in Washington.

Steps to Become a Locksmith in Washington

Step 1: Enroll in an accredited Locksmithing program, which may be completed either traditionally or online.

The first step to becoming a Locksmith in Washington is to get the proper Locksmith training.

Anyone who aspires to work as a Locksmith must acquire knowledge of the trade.

Once you have completed the program and obtained your Locksmithing certificate, you can start to look for employment in the trade.

Step 2: Apply for an apprenticeship to gain hands-on experience in the Locksmith trade.

With the certificate to back your knowledge of the trade, it should be easy for you to get hired in an entry-level position as a locksmith in Washington or at the least be accepted into an apprenticeship.

Step 3: After working as a Locksmith for a while and gaining as much experience as possible, you can now start your own business in Locksmithing.

You can either have a storefront lock shop, a van for mobile services, or both.

If you plan to start your own business, you are required to register your business with City Hall and obtain a contractors’ license, which states that your business name is different from your legal name.

Step 4: Sign up with any Locksmith trade association to help you stay updated with the developments in the sector.

This will also expand your customers, industry bonding as well as insurance options for your business.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith in Washington

It is not required for Locksmiths to have a Locksmith license or certificate in the state of Washington.

However, to ensure a definite position in the trade, it is recommended to have some sort of Locksmith training or experience.

Locksmith Programs in Washington

While there are no programs or schools that offer Locksmithing in Washington, there are still online courses available to enroll in.

We will discuss them below.

1. Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster offers a five to seven-month online Locksmith Home and Security Technician program.

From practical exercises in key making, types of locks, different methods for picking locks, and electronic safety, to theoretical knowledge, the school has it all for aspiring locksmiths.

The school requires students to have a stable internet connection to attend classes.

Tuition is divided into two payment options.

The first option is to pay in full, which is $899, and the second option is to pay monthly.

The total on this option is $1,089 paid in monthly installments of $59 with $1 down.

The total cost of the tuition includes any study materials required in the program, such as a locksmithing kit.

2. Ashworth College

Ashworth College offers a four-month online Locksmithing program.

The program includes industry tools and online lessons that cover the basic knowledge required by Locksmiths to complete their daily tasks.

The program includes everything from a step-by-step guide on learning how to cut and duplicate keys to installing CCTV and detecting systems.

The tuition is divided into two payment options.

The first option is to pay the full tuition of $899.

The second option is to pay monthly.

The tuition on this option calculates to $1089 paid in monthly installments of $59 with $1 down.

The total cost of the tuition includes all the tools required to complete the program, such as a Camlock set, Kwikset cylinder, pinning kit, etc as well as resource centers like online libraries and labs.

This means there will be no additional costs after you’ve enrolled in the program.

Salary

The average annual salary for a certified Locksmith in Washington is $59,916.

This is approximately $29 an hour, $1,152 a week, or $4,993 a month on the high end for an entry-level position.

The salary varies according to the exact location in the state of Washington, the type of employer, and the number of years of experience the candidate has.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Washington

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers, OCC Code 49-9094, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.