To follow is official information from the ALOA website regarding the certification process. It includes classes, designation information and what one needs to know about certification.
ALOA CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
As an international trade association, ALOA recognizes professionalism and proficiency among locksmiths and safe technicians by granting the designations Registered Locksmith (RL), Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL), Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL), Certified Master Locksmith (CML), Certified Professional SafeTech (CPS) and Certified Master SafeTech (CMST). Available to all locksmiths and safe technicians, the Proficiency Registration Program (PRP) evaluates, through participation tracking and testing, the educational and technical competence of dedicated individuals in a wide range of subjects including; Automotive locksmithing, General locksmithing, Electronic Access Control and Safe and Vault service.
Registered Locksmith (RL)
The designation for Registered Locksmith is - RL. John Doe, RL, was “grand fathered” into the program at it’s inception in 1985 (this grandfather program is no longer available) or is an active locksmith who has received twelve ALOA Education Units (AEU) by completing twelve ALOA Continuing Education (ACE) Classes consisting of eight hours each. An RL is recognized for training or experience, but is nottested or certified. This is not a path for advanced certification levels.
Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL)
The first level of locksmith certification is Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL). A Certified Registered Locksmith has passed the ten mandatory categories, as well as at least two specialized electives of his choice. A CRL has a good working knowledge of general locksmithing.
Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL)
The second level of locksmith certification is Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL). A Certified Professional Locksmith has earned the CRL designation and has successfully in an additional twelve elective categories. A CPL has an advanced knowledge of general locksmithing and of many specialized areas.
Certified Master Locksmith (CML)
The highest level of locksmith certification is Certified Master Locksmith (CML). A Certified Master Locksmith has reached the highest level of ALOA’s Proficiency Registration Program and has successfully demonstrated proficiency in ninety percent of the available categories of the Proficiency Registration Program. A CML has advanced knowledge of most areas of locksmithing and electronic security.
To achieve the first level of certification, Certified Registered Locksmith, a passing grade (70%+) is required on the mandatory section and any two electives.
To achieve the intermediate level of certification, Certified Professional Locksmith, a passing grade (70%+) is required on each of any twelve additional electives.
To achieve the highest level of certification, Certified Master Locksmith, a passing grade (70%+) is required on each of any nine of the remaining electives.LOCKSMITH CERTIFICATION CATEGORIES
The Proficiency Registration Program currently consists of thirty-six categories, ten of which are mandatory. The mandatory categories are:
 | 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 | |
| Domestic Automotive
| Foreign Automotive
| Door Closers
| Life Safety Codes
| High Security Cylinder Servicing
| Special Application Cylinder Servicing
| Tubular Key Cylinder Servicing
| Basic Electricity
| Exit Hardware and Exit Alarms
| Keyless Mechanical Locks
| Lever Tumbler/Non-Safe Deposit Locks
| Motorcycle Locks
| Safe Combination Locks
| Safe Deposit Locks
| Time Locks
| Lockset Installation
| Advanced Master Keying
| Safe Installation
| Safe Opening and Servicing
| Interchangeable Core Fundamentals | Small Format Interchangeable Core
| Large Format Interchangeable Core
| Electromechanical Access Control
| Related Door Hardware
| Alarms
| Detention Locking Systems | |
SAFE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION LEVELS
Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS)
The first level of the SafeTech certification is Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS) – A CPS has successfully demonstrated proficiency in 17 safe and vault related categories. A CPS has advanced knowledge of general Safe & Vault categories.
Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST)
The highest level of the SafeTech certification Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST) – A CMST has successfully demonstrated advanced knowledge in most areas of safe and vault related categories.
To achieve the first level of certification, Certified Professional SafeTech, a passing grade (70%+) is required on the Certified Professional SafeTech exam.
To achieve the highest level of certification, Certified Master Safe Technician, you must be a CPS and achieve a passing grade (70%+) on the Certified Master Safe Technician exam.
SAFE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION CATEGORIES
The Certified Professional Safe Technician Categories are: | Lock Identification
| UL Standards For Safes
| Vault and Safe Locks
| SMNA & JIS Ratings
| Tools and Their Usage
| Safe Lock Servicing and Changing
| Troubleshooting and Dialing Diagnostics
| The Theory of Manipulation
| Safe Lock Installation
| Basic Safe and Lock Construction
| Safe Installation
| GSA Equipment
| Safe and Vault Door Adjustments/Alignment
| Safe Drilling/Penetration
| Post-Penetration Repairs
| Safe Deposit Locks
| Key-Operated Safe Locks
| Safe-Related Electronics | |
The Certified Master Safe Technician categories are:
| Lock Identification
| UL Standards For Safes
| Vault & Safe Locks
| SMNA & JIS Ratings
| Tools & Their Usage
| Safe Lock Servicing & Changing
| Troubleshooting & Dialing Diagnostics
| The Theory Of Manipulation
| Safe Lock Installation
| Basic Safe & Lock Construction
| Safe Installation
| GSA Equipment
| Safe & Vault Door Adjustments & Alignment
| Safe Drilling
| Post-Penetration Repairs
| Safe Deposit Locks
| Key-Operated Safe Locks
| Safe-Related Electronics
| Advanced Dialing Diagnostics
| Manipulation
| Uncommon Safes & Locks
| Advanced Safe Deposit Locks
| Time Locks
| Night Depositories
| High-Security Safe Construction
| Safe Penetration
| Advanced Borescope Techniques
| Composite & High-Security Safe Repair
| Vaults & Vault Doors | |
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
Look on the ALOA web site for the PRP Schedule or in the ALOA membership magazine Keynotes calendar for a scheduled exam in your area. Contact the local sponsor for a registration form.
DEADLINE
The registration deadline is fifteen days prior to the evaluation.
FOR THE FIRST SITTING
Locksmith: The Mandatory and any two electives may be selected.
Safe Technician: The Certified Professional SafeTech exam is selected.
FOR ADDITIONAL SITTINGS
Locksmith:
After receiving the letter with the evaluation scores, you may register for the next convenient sitting.
If the level of CRL was reached successfully on the first try, select any twelve of the remaining electives.
If the level of CRL was not achieved at a single sitting, two options are available:
| If zero, one or two electives were passed and the mandatory
was not passed, then only the Mandatory and the necessary electives required
to achieve the level of CRL may be retaken.
| If the Mandatory was passed and one or more electives
failed, any nine electives may be selected. Passing two electives will
complete the requirements for the level of CRL. Any remaining electives
passed will be credited to the next level. | |
If an elective is not successfully completed, it may be retaken at any future sitting.
Up to nine electives may be selected for each additional sitting.
Safe Technician:
After receiving the letter with the evaluation scores, you may register for the next convenient sitting.
If the level of CPS was reached successfully on the first try, you may register for the CMST exam which is given only at the ALOA and SAVTA conventions.
If you did not pass the CPS exam, you may retake the exam at any future sitting.
FEES
Administrative fees set by the ALOA PRP Committee are uniform regardless of the location of the evaluation. However, fees for individual sittings are set by the sponsoring group and may vary depending on the sponsor hosting the sitting and their expenses.
PRP LEVEL SUMMARY
COMPLETE THIS: TO ACHIEVE THIS LEVEL
10 Mandatory + 2 Electives CRL
CRL + 12 Electives CPL
CPL + 9 Remaining Electives CML
CPS Mandatory exam CPS
CPS Mandatory exam + CMST exam CMST