How to Become an Institutional Locksmith

An institutional locksmith is responsible for facility locks, doors, electronic security, and master keys.

If you are interested in working for a hospital, college, or prison as a locksmith, this is the area of expertise for you.

Training for institutional locksmiths varies from other types of locksmithing, such as mobile locksmiths or residential locksmithing.

Therefore, you want to focus your energy on institutional locksmithing training and skills to be best suited for this career.

Here are the steps required for becoming an institutional locksmith in any US state.

Steps to Become an Institutional Locksmith

Step 1–Train in Institutional Locksmithing and Safe Repair

An institutional locksmith and safe repair professional needs to know how to cut keys for duplication, repair broken locks, and crack safes.

These are only the tip of the iceberg.

You also need hands-on knowledge of picking locks, such as for institutional safes and semi-trucks.

Managing large and complex systems of locks and security systems is also part of the job for an industrial locksmith.

You need to know how to work with these systems, which is why institutional locksmith training is so important.

Step 2–Earn Certification as an Institutional Locksmith

Certification as an institutional locksmith can be earned by taking classes in locksmithing.

There are several online schools, as we will discuss further along in the article, that provide 100 percent at-home training to be a locksmith.

By getting at least one locksmith’s certificate, such as for institutional locksmith and safe repair, you improve your job prospects.

Step 3–Get Licensed as an Institutional Locksmith

As an institutional locksmith, your goal is to get hired by a major corporation or business that controls an association or organization.

Universities, corrections, and city halls all require the services of an institutional locksmith.

To gain employment or to be put on a contract for services with an institutional-sized client, you must be certified and licensed.

This is an area of locksmithing that involves major security complexes and these can only be entrusted to the most professional locksmiths.

A background check and fingerprinting, as well as business insurance and bonding, are generally required for contracted institutional locksmiths who are hired per job.

If you hope to get hired by a big business, consider the use of certifications and licensing.

State boards and labor departments handle business licensing, and locksmith licensing in particular, as required by each state.

Licensing Requirements to Become an Institutional Locksmith

Licensing requirements for residential locksmiths are handled by individual states.

Most US states require apprentices in locksmithing to be at least 16 years old.

However, you need to be 18 before you can apply for a license as a locksmith in most states when required.

A state labor department provides business licensing for locksmiths, including those working with residential customers.

Check with your state labor department to determine if there are separate fees and applications for you if you are applying as a residential locksmith.

Online Training Programs

Do you want to train online to be a residential locksmith?

There are some schools and colleges that have 100 percent online training for locksmiths.

This is where you will learn about the tools and techniques, such as master key cutting, key duplication, and security systems.

Consider these online schools that train residential locksmiths from home in any state in the US.

You could even study while traveling abroad thanks to these locksmith training programs on the internet.

Save time and money by getting certified as a locksmith without even leaving your home.

Then gain access to local businesses and locksmiths near you that will hire you for an apprenticeship.

While you work as an apprentice, you will pick up any additional skills you need to carry out professional locksmithing services for residential customers.

Foley-Belsaw Locksmithing

At Foley-Belsaw Locksmithing, students can pay $800 for a course called Institutional Locksmithing.

This is an online course that comes with the materials you need to succeed in institutional locksmith services.

Learn all of the skills necessary to work as a professional industrial locksmith.

When you pay for the course, you also get a variety of hands-on supplies.

This includes door knobs and locks, as well as keys and tools for locksmithing.

Yet the courses are tailored toward institutional locksmithing services.

Mr. Locksmith

Mr. Locksmith is another online training provider that sells a course called Institutional Locksmithing.

The cost for tuition is $1,995 and covers 12 to 24 months of training and instruction online.

This class prepares locksmiths for working in hospitals, prisons, schools, and teaching engineering.

You also get a bonus course on consumer safes, which covers institutional safes, first alert safes, sentry safes, and more safes in the industrial sector.

Salary

According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for an institutional locksmith is $1,157 a week.

That averages out to $57,850 a year for a 50-week work period.

If you are working in a big city or community in need of institutional locksmiths, this will bring you more money due to increased demand.