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If you enjoy helping others, you will be fulfilled as a locksmith.
If you are a night owl and do not mind fielding late-night calls for those who are locked out of their home or apartment, then a locksmith career might be a great fit.
Locksmiths enjoy endless problem-solving by deconstructing a mechanical or electric part that does not work, fixing the issue, and piecing it back together.
A locksmith career allows you to utilize your curious and creative nature in a firsthand environment while learning and excellent living!
Earn your accredited, affordable Locksmith career diploma online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
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If this sounds like a career path you would like to pursue, keep reading to learn more!
Steps to Become a Locksmith in New Jersey
New Jersey has five primary steps to becoming a licensed or certified locksmith.
These include:
Step One: Ensure you Meet the Locksmith License Requirements
The licensure requirements are extensive and more than most other states.
However, other than the three or more years of experience, the documentation is standard for certification or licensure in New Jersey.
Licensing requirement details are listed below.
Step Two: Pass a Background Check
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (NJDCA) requires all locksmith applicants to submit to a background check with on-site fingerprinting services, with an associated cost for this process being $78.
Unlike many other states, if you have been convicted of locksmith-related crimes, been convicted of a first, second, or third-degree offense, or failed to pay child support within the past 10 years of applying, you could be denied a locksmith license.
If you have a criminal past then you must provide names of the involved parties, dates, and details of the crimes.
Step Three: Pass the Locksmith Licensing Exam
In addition to the information, you have learned at school or on the job, it is advisable to take practice tests to refresh your knowledge, so you have to ace the exam on the first try.
This is where online locksmith learning programs can come in handy.
Step Four: Pay the Application Fee
To take the licensing exam, you must submit a non-refundable application payment of $150 to the State of New Jersey.
Step Five: Submit your Application
Once all these requirements have been met, you can submit a printed and completed locksmith licensure application to the following address:
Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm, and Locksmith Advisory Committee
PO Box 4502
Newark, New Jersey 07101
Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith
Locksmith licensing runs through the Burglar Alarm, Fire Alarm, and Locksmith Advisory Committee as part of the NJDCA.
Those applying for locksmith licensing in New Jersey must be the following requirements:
- Be at least 18-years-old.
- Business owners must provide proof of general liability insurance.
- Complete a background check, submit a fingerprint card, and pay a fee.
- Complete the required applications.
- Have three years or more of hands-on experience with 20 days of working per month where the applicant is a full-time locksmith or complete a two-year apprenticeship with an accredited professional locksmith and two hours of training.
- Hold a high school diploma or GED.
- Pass the burglar alarm, fire alarm, and locksmith exam.
- Sign an affidavit from a previous teacher or employer citing that you have the right qualifications or experience to complete locksmith duties.
- Submit two passport-sized photos with the application.
Locksmith Programs
New Jersey requires those pursuing a career as a locksmith to hold at least a high school diploma or GED.
However, many incoming recruits are opting to take a locksmith educational program at a community college or vocational school to improve job placement and their skills.
These are some available training centers:
Elite Continuing Education University
This online locksmith program offers specific classes with more credit hours costing more money.
The introduction class is $25 and runs one credit hour.
There is a massive list of classes ranging from automotive to home locks.
Penn Foster University
Penn Foster is a university that offers an online locksmith training course where you can earn a diploma in 8-12 months.
The cost of the entire program is $749.
Salary
With a national median income of $54,145 and a range from $40,443 to $67,320, becoming a locksmith can be a lucrative and rewarding field.
In New Jersey, the salary median salary varies depending on which part of the state you reside.
In North Jersey, expect to earn a median income of $61,833 with a pay range from $46,186 to $76,879.
In South Jersey, the median income is $58,000 with a range from $43, 323 to $72,113.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Newark | $61,833 |
| Jersey City | $65,136 |
| Paterson | $62,429 |
| Elizabeth | $61,833 |
| Edison | $60,750 |
| Woodbridge | $60,750 |
| Dover | $62,083 |
| Avalon | $57,911 |
| Trenton | $58,515 |
| Camden | $58,000 |
Regional Salary in New Jersey
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 60 | $62,490 | $30.05 | $68,600 | $58,200 |
| Trenton, NJ | 40 | $58,980 | $28.36 | $78,940 | $35,760 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Sources
- https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/fbl/Pages/FAQ.aspx
- https://www.howtobecomealocksmith.org/how-to-become-a-locksmith-in-new-jersey/
- https://eliteceu.com/shop/?states=nj&product_cat=locksmith-access-control&sorting=popularity
- https://www.uhs-hardware.com/collections/live-online-locksmith-training-classes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a business license required to perform locksmithing services?
Yes, a business license is required for those firms wishing to offer locksmithing services.
However, only a single application needs to be submitted regardless of the scope of one license category (i.e., locksmithing, fire alarm, burglar alarm), or any combination of those three categories.
Businesses applying for a license must designate a licensee who is considered the business qualifier.
This individual must be listed for each license category when seeking a locksmith business license.
Can I make up locksmith continuing education credits?
If you have not earned all required continuing education credits before renewing the locksmith license, then you can take any Advisory Committee-approved courses to make up the credit shortfall.
Remember, the credits earned for the past-due period cannot be used toward the current registration period.
What is the best way to get ahold of the committee?
The Advisory Committee can be contacted via the following options, but emailing is the most direct choice.
Call the Consumer Service Center Hotline – 973-504-6200
Visit – 124 Halsey Street Newark, NJ 07102
Email – AskConsumerAffairs@dca.lps.state.nj.us
Read the full guide: How to Become a Locksmith
Locksmith Training by State