Locksmith Los Angeles

How To Be A Locksmith In Los Angeles?

Want to be a locksmith in Los Angeles? First and foremost, you’ll need to understand how to get a license in the state of California. If you haven’t read that post yet, here’s a review of what you can do:

For California Locksmith Businesses:

• Whether you’re a sole proprietor, with a partner or a corporation, you will need to specify your application on who is going to be the “point man” for day to day business affairs. Now to obtain the locksmith license, everyone in the company will have to go through criminal history background check from the California Department of Justice and the FBI. The reason is that locksmithing always correlate with security and access to lock systems which can largely affect the public safety so no one with criminal record would be accepted in this. Definitely, the background check is a high priority.

• Next, prepare $75 for the application fee plus two recent passport-quality photos and a Locksmith Company Live Scan Form signed by an authorized Live Scan Operator. You also need to pay $32 for the Department of Justice fingerprint processing fee as well as $19 FBI fingerprint processing fee. Processing fees are paid at the Live Scan site for each applicant partner and officer.

• Submit your application and payments to Bureau of Security and Investigative Services located at PO Box 989002, West Sacramento CA 95798-9002.

• If your license is for a locksmith business operating under a “made-up” name then you’ll need to also include a certified copy of the fictitious business name stating that you filed this with your County Clerk as well.

• On top of that, if your company receives more than $500 in payment for work done at any specific site then you’re required for a contractor’s license. As a result, you’re technically considered a Lock and Security Equipment Contractor at this point that will require you to pay $150 contractor’s fee plus $250 non-refundable processing fee for applying for the license. NOTE: If you need more information regarding this, you can visit the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board website.

For California Locksmith Employees:

• Similar to above, criminal history background check with the California DOJ and the FBI is highly recommended for security reasons.

• Afterwards, submit your application and prepare $20 for the registration fee and Locksmith Employee Live Scan Form signed by a Live Scan Operator.

• At the Live Scan site pay $19 FBI processing fee and $32 DOJ processing fee for the fingerprint scan and again criminal history background check.

• Once done, submit your application package (forms and payments) to PO Box 989002, West Sacramento CA 95798-9002.

• If you passed the criminal history background check, submitted the application and paid all the applicable fees then you’ll be given a 120-day temporary license for use until you receive your official license.

Once you’ve acquired your locksmith license in California, we recommend you join associations to expand your training and reach of contacts for your preparation for employment. Here below are the associations and LA locksmith companies you may want to join.

California Locksmith Associations

• California Locksmiths Association
  PO Box 512
  Fullerton, CA 92836
  Phone: 800-SOS-LOCK
  Phone: 562-458-2702
  Fax: 800-768-3106
  info@cla4u.org
• Security Locksmiths Association
  PO Box 25973
  Los Angeles, CA 90025
  Phone: 213-413-1121
  Fax: 310-837-7666

Los Angeles Locksmith Companies

Visit this link to go through Yelp’s list of Locksmith Companies in Los Angeles