aloa.orgALOA Home

State of Texas PSB Lic# Y28646701 Home About ALOA Calendar Education Event/Class Registration Certification and Testing Legislation ALOA Convention SAFETECH Convention IAAL Auto Lock Expo Store Contact Us Membership FindALocksmith State of Texas PSB Lic# Y10528801 ALOA Mobile Tech App Have you downloaded the ALOA Tech Link app yet? Get access to hundreds of technical articles from Keynotes dating back to 2010, right at your fingertips. On the app, you can browse articles by category, keyword, author or title. ‍ Download the app for free by going to www.aloatechlink.com on your phone’s or tablet’s Internet browser. To log in, use your email address that is registered with ALOA as your username, and use your ALOA member number as your password. Then, follow the pop-up directions on the screen to save the app to your mobile homescreen. Have questions? Email editor@aloa.org . ALOA Mission Statement The mission of ALOA, as dedicated members of the locksmith/security industry, is to ensure professional excellence and ethics; create a public demand for professional locksmith services; represent and speak for the locksmith/security industry; and expand the exchange of trade information and knowledge with other related organizations to preserve and enhance the industry. ALOA Partners SAVTA IAIL AIL ASF IAAL ALOA Store FindALocksmith Event/Class Registration 2023 Board Election Please visit aloamembers.org to cast your vote for the 2023 Board. Starts May 1 - through May 31, 2023 ALOA SPAI 2023 Election Results President - Bill Mandelbaum CML, 100% North Central Director - John Hubel CML, CMIL, 100% South West Director – Wayne Winton 100% Associate Director – Noel Flynn 100% Results for BYLAWS changes must receive 2/3 of the votes to approve Article 8 Committees PASSED Article 14 Divisions- Changes PASSED Article 14 Divisions – Additions PASSED Article 7 Board of Directors PASSED Article 7 Board of Directors: Section 2- Composition PASSED New Mailing Address ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc. Safe and Vault Technicians Association International Association of Investigative Locksmiths ALOA Institutional Locksmiths 1408 N. Riverfront Blvd. Suite 303 Dallas, TX 75207 ‍ (214) 819-9733 ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc. Membership, Education and Certification for Security Professionals Everything you’ve always wanted to know about ALOA... From questions about the nature of locksmithing, to the technical standards used by ALOA Locksmiths, this section will help to answer all your questions. Simply click a link to left that corresponds to your questions. Ready to become a member? Click here for information about joining, as well as an online member application. What Does a Professional Locksmith/Security Professional Do? A professional trained locksmith/security professional may do some or all of the following: install locks, deadbolts and other mechanical or electronic locking devices to safeguard homes, businesses, vehicles and other property. Locksmiths also may modify or repair such devices, rekey locks, make duplicate keys or cards, generate or program new keys/cards for locks whose keys/cards have been lost and respond to emergency calls to unlock vehicles, homes and businesses that have been locked accidentally, or whose locks have malfunctioned. Some locksmiths install and service electronic alarm and surveillance systems. Many locksmiths specify, design, provide, install and service a wide range of electronic access control systems and closed circuit television (CCTV) systems. Because of the integration of electronic security systems with computers and networks, some locksmiths maintain security hardware and software for computer systems. When new or replacement locks are required, a locksmith assists the customer in determining the correct types of locks needed based on the security risk/exposure, life safety application and frequency of use. The locksmith installs locks and security devices using manufacturer’s templates and/or industry specifications, by cutting or drilling the proper opening in the selected location with small hand and power tools. ‍ A locksmith may sell, service and install safes for home and business use. Banks have many locking devices and related hardware that require regular service by locksmiths such as; vault doors, time locks, safe deposit boxes and teller equipment. A locksmith repairs a lock by disassembling and examining it to locate worn or malfunctioning parts, then cleans and adjusts the internal mechanisms and replaces these parts with new ones supplied by the lock’s manufacturer. On occasion, it may be necessary to custom make some repair parts using lathes, drills, grinders, and other power and hand tools. When the repairs have been completed, the locksmith will reassemble the lock and check its operation. A locksmith makes duplicate keys using a key-duplicating machine. With the customer’s (pattern) key and key blank clamped in their respective vises, the locksmith moves the pattern key across the guide. A rotary cutter cuts the same pattern into the key blank. The locksmith carefully examines the new key to ensure its accuracy. A locksmith may respond to emergency calls for customers who have accidentally become locked out of a home, business or vehicle. The locksmith begins by examining the lock(s) to determine the best method to circumvent the lock. These methods may include use of lock picks, bypass tools or other special instruments. Fitting a key by code or other skilled means is also a method of opening a lock. Experience, skill and knowledge dictate the method a professional selects to open a lock. There are times when the quality of the lock, concern for safety of occupants and other factors such as a malfunction of the lock may force the locksmith to use destructive techniques to gain entry. Before performing an emergency opening or certain other sensitive tasks, the locksmith may require positive ID procedures. For security reasons or because keys are stolen or misplaced, many businesses, hotels/motels and apartment complex owners contract with locksmiths to provide new master key systems, reset combinations and rekey their door locks on a regular basis. Some cities and states require locksmiths to be licensed and bonded. The licensing process may include submitting fingerprints, undergoing a state or national background check, passing an examination, and paying a fee to the licensing agency. A self-employed locksmith must also keep business records and maintain a proper inventory of locks, parts, keys and tools. Qualifications: Mechanical Locksmithing involves precise and detailed work. Good locksmithing professionals possess mechanical and mathematical ability, good vision, spatial perception, eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity. They must be able to understand lock and key specifications, operating manuals and other written or oral instructions as necessary. Additional traits include patience, emotional stability, honesty, dependability, accuracy and the ability to get along with other individuals. Education and Training: During high school, the prospective locksmith should take courses in mathematics, mechanical drawing, metalworking, basic electronics, physics, and English plus some business education. To install electric locks, alarms, access control systems or surveillance devices, locksmiths must have knowledge of electricity and electronics. Traditionally, on-the-job training has been a primary method of learning locksmithing skills. Trainees work with experienced locksmiths until they have mastered the necessary skills. In some on-the-job training programs, employees attend demonstrations or receive classroom as well as practical training. The length of time necessary to complete on-the-job training ranges from three months to four years, depending on the level of expertise required for a given sector of the profession. Completion of courses at a locksmithing school...