Locksmith licence

Overview

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 and Solicitor General.

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.

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.

Your employer must submit the training licence application.

Once you’ve 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

Step 1. Get a criminal record check

Get a criminal record check and your photo signed at your local police station.

This check must include these elements:

• criminal record
• vulnerable sector
• local database

You can’t submit your application without these original documents. These documents expire 90 days after they’ve been issued.

For more information about criminal record checks including fees and processing times:

• contact your local police, or
• visit RCMP Criminal Record checks

Step 2. Fill out the forms

Fill out all the forms in this package:

Application for Individual Licence (PDF, 569 KB)

Step 3. Gather your documents

When you apply, you’ll need to provide photocopies of your:

• Canadian photo ID
• journeyperson certificate

You'll also need to provide a current:

• police information and criminal record check
• passport-size colour photo signed on the back by the police service

Apprenticeship licences

If you’re 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. Choose your payment method

The locksmith licensing fee is $160.

There are 3 ways to make your payment:

Online

Make your payment online

Print and attach the receipt to your application as proof of payment.

In person

If you’re submitting your application through a registry agent, your payment must be made at that registry.

A $9 service charge will be added to the licence fee.

Find a registry agent that offers Security Programs licensing services

Mail

When submitting your application by mail, you can pay by:

• certified business cheque
• certified personal cheque
• money order
• bank draft
• credit or debit online – attach the receipt to your mail application as proof of payment

All payments must be made out to the Government of Alberta.

Step 5. Submit your application

There are 2 ways to submit you application:

In person

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

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

Mail

Mail your application, required documents and payment to:

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

If your application is approved, you’ll 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

Step 1. Fill out the form

Update to Individual Licence (PDF, 1.6 MB)

Step 2. Submit the form

There are 2 ways to submit the form:

Email

ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca

Mail

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

Contact

Hours: 8:15 to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-877-462-0791
Email: ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca

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