Reddit mentions of The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing (Complete Book of Locks & Locksmithing)

Easier than becoming a barber, harder than becoming a gardener. It depends on location. I can only speak to the U.S. and as a lock manufacturer not a locksmith.

First let's define scope: a locksmith is someone who does more than copy keys, but does less than manufacture locks. The bread and butter of course is making key copies, but they also charge premiums for lockouts and master keying facilities.

House keys can be copied by a Redbox like robot. More obscure keys (think 1991 Pontiac Firebird with GM VATS resistors) need a trip to a locksmith. You'll also call up a locksmith for lockouts - usually it's a bit different business that serves car lockouts vs home lockouts. Lastly if you are a landlord and need to master-key a building, you'll set up a relationship with a local locksmith to architect the system for you, and return to them when you need to rekey doors. Depending how oldschool this is, it can be a system on pen and paper, MS-DOS (not even joking), or a web dashboard.

In general locksmithing is a semi-protected profession. It is not anywhere near as rigorous as being a doctor or lawyer which is what one initially thinks. The closest thing is a certification process through a private organization similar to computer certs like CISSP or A+ but through an organization like ALOA or SAVTA (a subsidiary of ALOA) and a license through a government agency.

Locksmith certifications are issued by private companies. Locksmith licenses are issued by state governments. Certifications require a test of knowledge (picking, safes, automotive, how to hinge and hang a door). Licenses lean towards a one page proof of identity and application fee.

An ALOA certification doesn't just test knowledge of how to pick locks. It also requires knowledge of:

• Codes and Code Equipment
  
  
• Cylinder Servicing
  
  
• Key Blank Identification
  
  
• Key Duplication
  
  
• Key Impressioning
  
  
• Professional Lock Opening Techniques
  
  
• Lockset Functions
  
  
• Lockset Servicing
  
  
• Basic Master Keying
  
  
• Cabinet, Furniture and Mailbox Locks
  
  License requirements vary from state to state. There are 15 states that license locksmiths (AL,CA, IL, LA, NJ, NC, OK, TN and TX) and 35 that don't. If you don't need a locksmith license you likely need a 'contractor' license if you are doing more than $500 in work. California for instance needs both a locksmith license and a contractor license.
  
  I'll give you two extremes. Virginia is wild. You could start locksmithing today with a drill. See this NPR story for more. Buy some deadbolts at Home Depot for $35 and a drill for $100. Sign up with a callcenter. Wait by the phone. Charge someone $200 to drill their lock.
  
  Texas on the other hand is one of the most regulated environments. If you think taxi cab medallions where hard to come by, try locksmithing in Texas. It's run by a locksmith guild and there are only two paths:
  
  

• Work for two consecutive years at a certified locksmith shop that is a member of Texas Locksmiths Association, Greater Houston Locksmiths Association, Locksmiths Association of San Antonio or North Texas Locksmiths Association
  
  
• Contact the Texas Private Security Bureau and schedule a time to take the Qualified Managers exam.
  
  

• Take a 48 hour basic locksmith course (like the one ALOA offers - coincidentally located in Texas)
  
  
• Attend an approved locksmith trade school (must include a specific curriculum consisting of approximately 600 hours of class time);
  
  
• Work for a licensed lock shop for one year full-time.
  
  
  In general people are for licensing but certification is a hotly debated topic in the locksmith community. ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc. is a private for profit company in charge of most of the certifications in the U.S. The same arguments for or against are found in pretty much every other private credentialing organization.
  
  Judge for yourself.
  
  But the TLDR for most places is:
  
  

1. Incorporate a business. ($500)
   
   
2. Apply for a State Locksmith/Contractor License (one page application) ($95)
   
   
3. Submit fingerprints and a criminal background check.
   
   If on the other hand, you just want to learn to pick locks get a kit on Amazon for ~$20.
   
   Bill Philips' books on locksmithing are pretty good. See both The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing and Locksmithing, 2nd Edition

Take a look at:

• Foley-Belsaw
  
  
• The Lockmasters Institute
  
  
• Complete book of Locksmithing
  
  Your friend will have to answer what she wants to do specifically:
  
  
• Residential
  
  
• Automotive
  
  
• Electronic Key Access
  
  Each of these are unique in & of themselves. She should check out /r/Locksmith & /r/lockpicking -- there is quite a bit of overlap, people are friendly & helpful. If there is a TOOOL or Locksport chapter in that area, I'd suggest checking it out to interface with other locksmiths & see about gaining an apprenticeship.
  
  My understanding is that you can either get the apprenticeship & show that you have skills/some experience, or you at least start with the book & Foley-Belsaw & then try to get an apprenticeship. Myself, I've yet to take it that far -- I'm just a hobbyist. Just be aware that it is a male dominated industry by & large as with most things. I've heard women are more adept to a lot of things in the locksmithing industry, however.
  
  I hope your friend pursues this! :)

I just finished The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing by Bill Phillips and was favorably impressed. To the layperson, it seems pretty comprehensive.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Book-Locks-Locksmithing/dp/0071448292


a good start. Perhaps not as much history as you're looking for, however.

The Complete Book of Locks & Locksmithing is a good reference book & How to Pick Locks with Improvised Tools has a bunch of info on the theory of lockpicking so you can imporvise.

"I'm like Miles Davis with a 12-guage." - Gunther

Aww, shucks. I don't remember where I saw it that made me find it somewhere, but if I am dead set on finding something, I usually find it at some point. It may be out of print but Amazon has it readily available.