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Part of Security licences and permits

Locksmith licence

Apply for or renew the licence you need to work as a locksmith in Alberta.

Trade certification required

Locksmiths repair, install and adjust locking mechanisms and keys, design and maintain master keys and open safes. To work as a locksmith in Alberta, you must be:

  • licensed
  • a certified journeyperson

Licences are issued under the Security Services and Investigators Act by Alberta Justice.

For more information about a career as a locksmith and becoming a certified journeyperson, visit the Government of Alberta’s Tradesecrets.

Policy manual

Read the Security Programs Policy Manual for more information about a locksmith licence.

Licensing

The locksmith licensing fee is $160. Your licence is valid for 2 years.

The renewal process is the same as the initial application process.

Locksmiths cannot hold a second licence as an investigator or security service worker.

Your individual licence is portable. This means your licence is still valid if you change employers or if you work for multiple employers.

Eligibility

To apply for a licence you must:

  • be over 18 years old
  • be eligible to work in Canada
  • be fluent in English
  • have no criminal record
  • have no outstanding criminal charges
  • not be the subject of a criminal investigation

All locksmith equipment sales workers must meet a specific English fluency standard. This is a level 5 benchmark according to the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Apprenticeship licenses

All locksmiths must successfully complete an approved locksmith apprenticeship program.

Locksmith apprenticeship licences are available if you’re currently employed as an apprentice while enrolled in an apprenticeship or equivalency program.

Apprenticeship licences are not portable. This means if you change employers, your new employer must apply for a new training licence for you.

Your employer must submit the training licence application.

Once you have become a journeyman, you must submit an application for a regular locksmith licence.

For questions about apprenticeship licences, contact Security Programs.

Apply for or renew your licence

If you are on a work or study permit, contact Security Programs for application and renewal steps.

Step 1. Records check

See your local police service website to find out how to get your documents.

All three searches are mandatory – no exceptions:

  • criminal record check
  • vulnerable sector search
  • local police database search

For all classes of licences:

  • your photo does not need to be signed on the back
  • these details are important when applying for a police information check:
    • security services are designated as essential services
    • you must specify the employment type as 'security services' – regardless of licence class
    • ask for a print/mail copy of your results to attach to your application – if needed, police services can email results to [email protected]

These documents expire 90 days after they have been issued.

Step 2. Fill out the forms

Fillable PDF forms may not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. For help opening the forms, contact PDF form technical support.

Fill out all the forms in this package:

Application for Individual Licence

Step 3. Gather your documents

When you apply, you will need to provide photocopies of your:

  • Canadian photo ID
  • journeyperson certificate

You will also need to provide a current:

  • police information and criminal record check
  • passport-size colour photo

Apprenticeship licences

If you are applying for an apprenticeship licence, you also need to submit a letter from your employer that states:

  • your employment start date
  • the status of your apprenticeship program
  • they agree to assume responsibility for you
  • the name and licence number of your licensed supervisor

Step 4. Submit and pay for your application

There are 2 ways to submit your application:

In person

Take your application and documents to a registry agent that offers Security Programs licensing services.

Pay the licensing fee and service charge at the registry:

  • $160 security service licensing fee, and
  • $9 service charge

If your application is approved, you'll get a temporary licence that's valid for 60 days.

By mail

Send us your:

  • completed application form
  • required documents
  • payment or online payment receipt for:
    • $160 security service licensing fee

Pay the licensing fee with a (made payable to the Government of Alberta):

  • certified business cheque, or
  • certified personal cheque, or
  • money order, or
  • bank draft

or

Pay by credit or debit online:

  • print and mail the receipt with your completed application

Do not use this online payment if you are submitting your application at a registry agent.

Make your payment online

Address:
Security Programs
Alberta Justice
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

If your application is approved, you will get a temporary licence that's valid for 60 days emailed to you.

After you apply

Your licence card will be mailed to the address in your application.

You must provide a photocopy of your licence card to your employer and carry the original with you while you’re working.

Change, cancel or report a licence

Follow the below steps to:

  • update your personal information
  • modify your licence class
  • cancel your licence
  • report a lost, stolen or destroyed licence

Lost or stolen licences must be reported to Security Programs within 24 hours.

Step 1. Fill out the form

Trouble opening PDF forms?

Fillable forms do not open on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save this form:

  1. Click on the PDF link to save it on your computer.
  2. Launch Adobe Reader.
  3. Open the PDF from within Adobe Reader. You can now fill and save your form.

Update to Individual Licence

Step 2. Submit the form

There are 2 ways to submit the form:

Email

[email protected]

Mail

Security Programs
Alberta Justice
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

Contact

Connect with Security Programs:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-877-462-0791
Email: [email protected]

Security Programs
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1