Requirements for a Bonded Locksmith
A locksmith is a person whose main occupation is making keys and opening locks for car, home or business owners. A bonded locksmith is a locksmith who has taken the extra step of paying a fee to a bonding company to cover his work. If a bonded locksmith damages a consumer's property, the bonding company promises to cover the cost of repairs up to a certain amount. A locksmith isn't always required to become bonded to ply his trade; however, this consumer protection gives the bonded locksmith a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
-
Satisfy Requirements
-
Bonding companies demand that an applicant satisfy several requirements before they agree to approve him. An applicant may be asked to provide proof of financial stability, proof that his business is longstanding and reputable and proof that he has a good business performance record. The bonding company may ask the locksmith to produce his business financial statements, character references from others in his industry, his company's business plan and any plans for expansion.
License
-
Requirements vary from state to state, but locksmiths are sometimes required to be licensed in order to work, and therefore, must be licensed in order to be bonded. Applicants for licensing must provide identification, including fingerprints, to government agencies and submit to a criminal background check. For obvious reasons, a past criminal record usually disqualifies an applicant from becoming a licensed locksmith.
Certification
-
Some locksmiths learn their trade from years of apprenctice work under a more experienced professional; others opt to take courses at technical schools, or from an industry group like the Associated Locksmiths of America. Locksmiths choosing this path obtain a certificate stating that they have successfully acquired a certain level of expertise. Certification is not always required to become bonded, but it helps; it gives the bonding company the assurance that an applicant has obtained certain standard skills.
Liability Insurance
-
Some states require that a locksmith must purchase a certain amount of liability insurance in order to be licensed. Therefore, in these states he must have insurance in order to be bonded, as well. Liability insurance covers against property damage or personal injury and is often recommended if a locksmith has employees who go to jobs on his behalf. This insurance can secure a locksmith in the event that his work is substandard and results in a security breach, or if his employee is injured on the job or causes damage to a customer's property.
-
Related Searches
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
