NEW LOCKSMITH LICENSING ACT
Purpose for licensing legislation:
The purpose of this law is to provide appropriate regulation of the Locksmith or Security Companies and their employees for the protection of the consumers and public safety of citizens, to maintain the operational reliability and proper use of security devices, to restrict the ingress, egress, surreptitious entry or unauthorized access to premises or vehicles, to ensure a minimum level of general liability insurance, to ensure to ensure a minimum level of workers compensation insurance, to ensure a minimum level of surety bond insurance, to ensure a minimum level of errors and omissions insurance, to ensure a minimum level of testing and continuing education credits, to ensure proper background checks are conducted and a complete set of fingerprints are on file.
Definition of a professional locksmith:
A person for hire, an institutional locksmith or industrial locksmith who originates keys and who master-keys, re-keys, re-pins, re-combinates, repairing, rebuilding, picking, adjusting, bypasses, servicing, security(locking) devices or manipulates security(locking) devices in a manner other than that intended by the manufacturer. Security devices include but not limited too – mechanical devices, electrical devices, electronic devices, safes, safe doors, vaults, safe deposit boxes, lock boxes, automatic teller machines, vehicles, or other security(locking) devices for safeguarding areas where access or exit is meant to be limited. A professional locksmith for hire must be licensed.
Qualifications for a locksmith: Purpose: Provide statewide uniform qualifications:
1. Passed a written test administered by the State of Minnesota or obtain one of following certifications from ALOA: CRL, CPL, CML.
2. Paid on time and current on all fees due to the State of Minnesota.
3. Provided to the State of Minnesota the proper insurance and bonding certificates.
4. Maintain the proper insurance and bonding courage. The State of Minnesota would be named as an “insured” on all policies.
5. Provided to the State of Minnesota the proper continuing education certificates.
6. Passed a background check and provide a complete finger print set.
7. Must carry the State of Minnesota issued photo identification at all times.
8. Must comply with the Board of Electricity rules on low voltage licensing.
9. Must comply with ADA, building fire and life safety codes, EOE, any other local, state or federal laws.
10. Must swear to a code of ethics.
11. Valid driver’s license from any state if operating a vehicle in the line of business. The vehicle must be insured under the State of Minnesota minimum requirements.
12. Person must be at least 18 years old and citizen of the United States of America.
13. Complete an application form.
Exceptions: none the below can advertise as a locksmith for hire unless they obtain a license.
1. Towing, starting, automobile club, or repossessing companies, employee must register to open or make keys for vehicles.
2. Manufacturers representatives or agents.
3. Distributors will sell to licensed locksmiths only.
4. Merchant of a hardware store, lumber stores, etc. that duplicate keys only, employee must register.
5. Manufacturers can provide their own warranty service.
6. Employees of building contractors; however, sub-contractors must licensed. Must be under a building permit.
7. Employees of government agencies(i.e. as part of their written job duties or acting in the scope of their employment otherwise in emergency cases only).
8. Automobile manufacturer or dealer for new vehicles only.
9. Homeowner
10.Good Samaritans.
Customer Information:
1. Name
2. Address
3. City
4. Zip Code
5. Telephone number
6. Driver’s license number or photo identification number
7. Signature
8. Additional information required for vehicles: license plate number, vehicle make/model, and V.I.N. number
Code of Conduct:
1. We accept the ALOA published code of conduct.
2. Minnesota code of conduct: under construction.
Other Items to address:
License good for three years
Sales of locksmith tools, equipment, printed materials, inventory, etc.
Change of tenant on rental property
Apprentice
Board – 5 locksmith, 1 elec., 1 building cont., 1 public, 1 instit/indust locksmith, 1 DHI(certified)
“Do not duplicate”
Monitor the NY state law progress.
Definitions:
A person of hire: A person who accepts monetary and non-monetary compensation or items for
service rendered or products sold.