This section is for everyone, including locksmiths, to understand important information.

Some states require locksmiths to be licensed in order to work there. Sadly, only 13 states currently have licensing requirements for locksmiths. It should be mandatory for all 50 states to have these requirements. Interestingly, in all 50 states, hairstylists must have licenses to cut hair, yet most states have no licensing requirements for locksmiths. You are trusting your home, office, and vehicle to individuals who may not have undergone any background checks. In many states, anyone can call themselves a locksmith with just a city business license. This is why the locksmith industry is often plagued with fraud and scams. Our industry needs regulation from the top down.

Any honest locksmith would welcome the chance to be licensed by the state. Certified locksmiths are trained and would be eager to take practical tests to demonstrate their skills. They would also willingly undergo federal background checks. This is essential for the public’s safety, ensuring that those helping them are qualified and trustworthy. Anything less leaves open possibilities for fraud and abuse of the profession. Locksmiths should be held to a higher standard because they possess skills that can be misused for profit and more serious crimes.

Now let’s discuss the skills and qualifications needed for an automotive locksmith to effectively perform their duties.

This first section covers basic skills that most locksmiths can handle.

1. State-issued locksmith license (if required in your state).
2. Trained and skilled in automotive locksmithing.
3. Ability to pick and decode automotive door & ignition locks.
4. Ability to unlock a vehicle without a key.
5. Ability to impression a lock, meaning filing a key blank until it works.
6. Ability to remove a broken key from the lock cylinder.
7. Ability to cut keys with a machine or by hand.

This next section is for more advanced skills for mid-level automotive locksmiths.

1. Highly trained in using computers, tablets, cell phones, specialized key programming tools, cloning machines, high-security key cutting machines, as well as EEPROM programming and flashing.
2. In-depth knowledge of vehicle anti-theft systems from all major manufacturers, which frequently change.
3. Understanding of vehicle immobilizer systems, Engine Control Units (ECU), Body Control Modules (BCM), and transponder systems.

This is the highest level of expertise required for the title of Vehicle Security Professional.

The designation of Vehicle Security Professional (VSP) is awarded by a non-profit organization known as The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF). You can find more information at nastf.org.

This organization serves as a bridge between vehicle manufacturers and locksmiths and repair shops in the U.S. and Canada. Every two years, applicants must pass a federal background check. Any felonies or misdemeanors can lead to immediate license revocation.

A VSP must provide the following documents to NASTF: a copy of a valid locksmith license (if required), a copy of their business license, proof of general liability insurance, and a valid driver’s license. These documents must be renewed every year.

NASTF’s main purpose is to thoroughly vet all technicians, locksmiths, and repair shops. Once a technician or VSP is issued a license, they can conduct business on vehicle manufacturers’ websites. In simple terms, without a VSP, access to vehicle immobilizer systems from manufacturers is denied. Although a VSP does gain access to these OEM websites, they must pay a fee to log in each time. The final step, which is strictly enforced, requires the VSP to upload all necessary paperwork to validate ownership of the vehicle within five days. If they fail to do this, they will be locked out of the system and unable to log into any OEM’s website or perform further jobs until the paperwork is submitted. I know this from personal experience; I once forgot to upload and found myself unable to access GM’s website due to an incomplete transaction. After I uploaded the documents, I regained access immediately.

There’s more to this. Beyond the aforementioned requirements, let’s discuss the costs associated with the necessary equipment. A VSP typically invests a minimum of $20,000 to $30,000 in tools and supplies before they can assist customers. Additionally, they must incur subscription fees, which can total several thousand dollars each year. If these fees are not paid, their equipment becomes non-functional—essentially a costly paperweight.

Do you remember Ron Popeil’s slogan, “Wait, there’s more”? Because indeed, there’s more to consider. Recently, OEMs have begun to restrict access to locksmiths who aren’t VSPs from NASTF. This is primarily due to rising vehicle theft issues, as those who possess key programming machines have been known to commit crimes. Consequently, the OEMs have made these machines inoperable for locksmiths without the VSP designation.

Thus, VSPs are now compelled to spend more money just to stay operational, needing to purchase new hardware and software that directly communicates with the secure OEM servers.

Now you know why vehicle key fobs can be so expensive.

You may notice that around 75% of legitimate locksmiths have stopped servicing vehicles. This is the reason behind that trend.

The good news is that AA Lock & Key has met all these criteria, and we proudly state that we are among the few VSPs in the Atlanta area.

AA Lock & Key