How To Become a Locksmith in Florida? (Complete Guide)
If you’re in Florida and want to make some bucks, you can consider becoming a locksmith. You can do this work part-time for as many hours as you want and earn up to $160 an hour, depending on the service.
However, how to become a locksmith in Florida? We will teach you that and also tell you about the requirements you need to meet.
To become a locksmith in FL, you must complete a training program, pass an exam with a 70% score, and get a license and liability insurance. That’s it. You can then start your Locksmith business. Just ensure you know the rules and regulations about the locksmith services in your county.
How to Become a Locksmith in Florida?
You’ll get the following advantages by becoming a locksmith in Florida:
- Demand and Job Growth: There is a huge demand for locksmithing in Florida these days. This is due to the growing population and the lack of younger, skilled locksmiths.
- Easy: It’s easy to start a locksmith business or work for a company in Florida. Compared to other states, there is less stress on getting a licence.
- High Salaries: Another benefit of hiring a locksmith in Florida is the great salary. You can earn from $100 to $160 hourly.
Requirements for Becoming a Locksmith in FL:
Florida is one of the states where there aren’t so many requirements for you to meet to become a locksmith. However, Miami Dade County and Hillsborough County are strict about the requirements and the license. If you are thinking of learning to be a locksmith in these areas, the following are the requirements you must meet.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Pay the necessary fees.
- Pass a licensing exam for electrical contractors.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- A new locksmith licence requires 1 year of experience.
Steps for Becoming a Locksmith in Florida:
- You’ll need to complete a locksmith training program comprising at least 60 hours of coursework from a state-approved training provider. You can enrol in this training program at community colleges or local trade and vocational schools.
- When you finish the training, you must pass a state-administered locksmith exam with at least a 70% score.
- If you pass the exam, you can submit your application for a locksmith licence to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
- The next step is to get liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for property damage and $25,000 for bodily injury.
Taking the Florida Locksmith Business Licences:
Even if you don’t have a license in Florida, you can still start your business unless you’re considering offering your services in Miami-Dade County and Hillsborough. These two counties require a licence. Below are the steps to get a locksmith business license in FL.
- Register your business with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations.
- Get a local business tax receipt from your county or municipality.
- Apply for a locksmith licence with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
- Pass a background check and provide proof of liability insurance.
- You’ll have to pay a fee that depends on how many employees your business has, etc.
Starting a Business in Florida as a Locksmith:
When you have a business or work licence as a locksmith, you can follow these steps to start your business in Florida.
Research the locksmith market in Florida deeply to understand it. Also, review the rules and regulations to operate your business without issues.
- The next step is to decide on your business’s best name. The name should be easy to pronounce and reflect your work.
- Then, outline your business goals, such as what market you’ll target, how many employees you’ll have, your budget, and so on.
- After that, Get the business licence by following the steps I’ve outlined above.
- Then, get liability insurance for bodily or property damage.
- The next step is to Get the required tools like a key cutter, key extractor, lock pick set, etc.
- To reach out to all of your potential customers, set up a website and social media profiles for your business.
- Finally, get out there and start providing quality locksmith services to customers in your area!
FAQs
Locksmiths’ profitability depends on factors like location and clientele, but it’s generally a profitable business.
To become a locksmith in Jacksonville, research state and local licensing requirements, pursue training, and gain experience.
The difficulty of becoming a locksmith depends on your aptitude and chosen path. While formal training is beneficial, some learn through apprenticeships.