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How to Become a Locksmith in Florida

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  • Locksmith & Home Security Technician
Program Details:
  • Getting a career diploma in as little as 2 months.
  • Gain experience with practical exercises and interactive assignments.
  • Learn how to identify, create, and duplicate keys.
  • Learn to work with several types of locks including safes, valuts, and auto.
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Depending on the location, becoming a locksmith in Florida is a fast and easy process.

Florida is one of the many states that doesn’t require licensure or certification, which industry professionals still recommend.

Seal of Florida

However, licensure is required in Hillsborough and Miami-Dade counties, which can confuse many newcomers.

Many locksmithing courses and programs exist in Florida, most accessible online.

If you’re interested in becoming a locksmith in Florida, keep reading the information below to learn more!

Table of Contents

  • Steps to Become a Locksmith in Florida
    • Step One: Enroll in a Training Program
    • Step Two: Acquire an Apprenticeship
    • Step Three: Find a Job
  • Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith
  • Locksmith Programs
    • Ashworth College
    • Penn Foster
    • UHS Hardware
    • 8 Best Locksmith Schools in Florida
  • Salary
    • Average Salary of Locksmiths in Florida
    • Regional Salary in Florida

Steps to Become a Locksmith in Florida

The basic steps to becoming a locksmith in Florida include the following:

Step One: Enroll in a Training Program

Florida is abundant with training programs ranging from fully online to in-person.

Both learning types have pros and cons, so it’s best to understand how you retain information before enrolling in one or the other.

While Florida does not require training programs, experts advise you to register.

Then, you’re differentiated from the competition when looking for a job, and you can learn more techniques and skills.

Step Two: Acquire an Apprenticeship

Hardware stores, roadside assistance, and locksmith companies are always looking for apprentices to provide hands-on training at a lower cost.

Speaking to the various locksmithing companies in your area and checking job posting boards can help you find an apprenticeship.

Step Three: Find a Job

Depending on the apprenticeship type and company, many apprentices immediately get jobs within that shop or organization.

However, for those that don’t, countless resources are available to locksmiths looking for work.

For example, the Safe and Vault Technicians Association and the Associated Locksmiths of America regularly have job opportunities on their websites.

Also, speaking with former instructors from your training programs or other industry professionals can help you quickly start your career.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith

Florida doesn’t have any legislation that requires you to register as a new locksmith.

Several bills were presented in 2010 but didn’t pass through state Congress.

So instead, each county determines locksmith registration requirements for those doing business in that area.

As mentioned, Hillsborough County (Tampa) and Miami-Dade County (Miami) are the only two locations that require locksmith registration.

There is a relatively strict set of guidelines required for starting a locksmithing business in each of these counties, which includes:

  • One year of locksmith apprenticeship unless you worked as a licensed locksmith for at least one year in the past decade.
  • No convictions in the past five or ten years, depending on the conviction type.
  • Passing a background check, including providing fingerprints.

Locksmith Programs

Completing a locksmith program is a great option to perfect your craft and earn certifications, which can advance your career.

Some of the best Florida programs include:

Ashworth College

Ashworth College gives students the skills necessary to become a locksmith for a security firm, locksmith company, or start a locksmith business.

The course covers how to work with electronic and manual lock systems for businesses, vehicles, and residences.

Students can complete this program online in as little as four months.

The course includes online tutoring, a starter set of essential locksmithing tools, the Binder app for mobile learning materials, a student portal, access to the Learning Resource Center, and an active online community of other students, graduates, and staff to help with any questions.

Penn Foster

Penn Foster is an online-only school offering various trade programs, including a detailed locksmith course.

Students can purchase the entire course and materials for $900, and the program can be completed in as little as five months when fast-tracked.

The average completion is approximately seven months, but since the program is entirely online, students have the flexibility to work and have a social life.

The program covers every topic, from an introduction to locksmithing, where students learn the basics of the trade, to key making and the various lock types they will encounter in the real world.

UHS Hardware

Located in Miami, UHS Hardware offers a locksmithing program taught by industry professionals.

Since this is a fully functioning hardware store, the course covers the basics of being a locksmith, with business advice, and the best students often get an apprenticeship after the course ends.

In addition, this program is an in-person, hands-on coursework so that you can work through different types of locks and issues with the instructor immediately available.

This differs from most programs which are entirely online.

8 Best Locksmith Schools in Florida

School Name Address
Assured Business Group–Locksmith Training P. O. Box 1134, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 C
The Locksmith School Tampa, Florida
UHS Hardware Locksmith Academy 3301 N 29th Ave. Hollywood, FL 33020.
Mobile Locksmith Florida Miami, FL
Maximum Detention 403 W. GEORGIA STREET STARKE, FL 32091
24 Hour Car Unlock Florida
The Southern Locksmith Institute 10910 Endeavor Way, Seminole, FL 33777-1667, United States, Pinellas Park, FL, United States, Florida
Ops Locks Navarre, Florida

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites that the average national annual income of a locksmith is $47,800, ranging from $29,000 to $70,000.

However, locksmiths in Florida make $40,000 annually, slightly less than the U.S. average.

Annual Salary Range:
$44K
$50K
$56K

Average Salary of Locksmiths in Florida

City Name Salary
Boca Raton $52,512
Daytona Beach $48,704
Jacksonville $50,742
Pensacola $48,596
Tampa $50,849
Sarasota $51,010
Miami $51,761
Hialeah $51,547
Clearwater $50,581
Hollywood $51,815
* Salary information last updated 2025

Regional Salary in Florida

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL40$41,770$20.08$60,870$27,780
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL30$41,450$19.93$57,120$26,530
Jacksonville, FL90$43,910$21.11$61,540$28,630
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL40$42,450$20.41$58,360$26,560
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL350$47,050$22.62$70,940$27,680
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL180$43,760$21.04$60,590$28,090
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL40$45,160$21.71$65,110$38,390
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL180$44,360$21.33$60,800$28,800
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers, OCC Code 49-9094, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Featured Online Program
Penn Foster Request Info Select Program:
  • Locksmith & Home Security Technician
Program Details:
  • Getting a career diploma in as little as 2 months.
  • Gain experience with practical exercises and interactive assignments.
  • Learn how to identify, create, and duplicate keys.
  • Learn to work with several types of locks including safes, valuts, and auto.
  • and more...
Sponsored

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About Locksmith Expert

I'm Thomas. I have been a locksmith for the better part of my life. It is my livelihood, my career, and my hobby. I started about 23 years ago and never looked back. I welcome any questions you might have about being a locksmith.

Comments

  1. David Baumann says

    August 26, 2023 at 5:34 am

    I’m researching Locksmith Programs that are available across the state and I find this very informative for individuals interested in pursuing a career in locksmithing. I just decided where to go for my training program!

    Reply
  2. Chris Jensen says

    August 7, 2024 at 10:21 am

    First step is to complete a locksmith training program. Many community colleges in Florida offer this.

    Reply

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