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You can become a locksmith in 17 months or less in the state of Texas for a cost of zero dollars to $899 by completing an apprentice training program or attending school.
If you are looking for a career that lets you start quickly and earn a fair income, think about becoming a locksmith.
You can do much more than cut keys and install locks with a degree or on-the-job training in this field.
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Steps to Become a Locksmith in Texas
Becoming a locksmith in Texas takes about two years, regardless of the approach you take.
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The Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division – Private Security Bureau (PSB) regulates the locksmithing trade in the state and issues locksmithing licenses.
You must obtain a license to legally operate in the state of Texas.
Background Check
You must have a clean record to become a locksmith.
When you apply for your license, or to become an apprentice, the PSB runs a criminal background on you.
The Board overlooks only a very few convictions, so if you already have a conviction on your record, phone them first to find out if it qualifies for an exemption.
Four Training Options
You have four options to become a licensed locksmith.
Two options require schooling, while two options utilize on-the-job training.
All of the options require about the same amount of time:
- Obtain a job as an apprentice. Apprenticeship requires two years of work with a licensed locksmith who belongs to a trade association, such as the Texas Locksmiths Association. The business helps you obtain your locksmith’s pocket card as an apprentice.
- Successfully complete a 48-hour locksmith course that covers the essentials.
- Successfully complete an approved curriculum at a locksmith trade school.
- Work full-time for a licensed locksmith/lock shop for one year.
Successfully Pass the Qualified Manager’s Exam
After you complete the consecutive years of apprenticeship or full-time employment with the locksmith, or either school program, you take the Qualified Managers exam.
Successfully passing the exam qualifies you to open your own lock shop.
At this point, you may apply for your license.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith
Apply to the PSB for your license.
You will need to provide your schooling transcripts or proof of your locksmithing employment.
Once you obtain your license, you must complete continuing education each year to maintain it.
Under the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 35.291 – Continuing Education Courses, you must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years.
The first year consists of seven hours of locksmithing courses and one hour of ethics or one hour of applicable laws and rules of the security industry.
Locksmith Programs
Texas locksmiths typically apprentice to become locksmiths.
If you want to pursue an academic program in locksmithing, you will need to complete an online program.
Ashworth College offers a complete program of study that you can complete at your own pace in as little as four months or as long as 17 months.
The tuition costs $899.
The school offers payment plans, so you can place a down payment of as little as $1.
You can pay for the entire program at one time or set payments per month with the smallest monthly payment of $50.
Salary
A US locksmith earns about $54,145, the median salary for the position.
The range extends from $46,973 per year to $61,041.
In Texas, locksmiths earn an average of $53,084 with a salary range extending from $46,053 to $59,840.
Annual Salary Range:
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $55,498 |
| Dallas | $53,793 |
| San Antonio | $52,650 |
| Austin | $53,251 |
| El Paso | $47,359 |
| Fort Worth | $52,759 |
| Arlington | $52,672 |
| Corpus Christi | $50,820 |
| Plano | $53,562 |
| Garland | $53,677 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 110 | $48,240 | $23.19 | $59,220 | $37,360 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 440 | $47,070 | $22.63 | $64,410 | $31,590 |
| El Paso, TX | 40 | $38,360 | $18.44 | $53,890 | $27,640 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 290 | $48,460 | $23.3 | $66,660 | $35,960 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 30 | $45,270 | $21.76 | $59,630 | $29,250 |
| Lubbock, TX | 40 | $43,160 | $20.75 | $52,770 | $30,520 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 30 | $41,590 | $20 | $49,610 | $27,480 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 110 | $42,840 | $20.6 | $58,120 | $30,130 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a locksmith in Texas do?
Texas regulations describe a locksmith as an individual who “sells, services, installs, or maintains mechanical security devices.”
They may also conduct consumer education on security and lock types, serve as a physical security consultant, cut and duplicate keys, and assist in lockout situations with vehicles and structures.
What are the minimum qualifications for a Texas locksmith?
Like all other states, Texas sets minimum requirements for a locksmith license.
The general eligibility requirements include:
- An individual of 18 years of age or older
- Mentally competent
- Non-dependent on alcohol or drug
- Pass a Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice criminal background check
- No Class A misdemeanor or felony with exception of a pardoned offense
- Honorably Discharged from the Armed Services, if served.
A lock shop might also offer the installation of security alarms and access control systems.
This requires separate licensing.
If the lock shop offers electronic access control device installer services of installing, maintaining, or repairing any access control device or security alarm system, the servicer must register under their local chapter as an alarm systems installer or access device installer.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Locksmith
Locksmith Training by State
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