Locksmith Licensing Program - FAQs

Locksmith Licensing Program - FAQs
LOCKSMITH LICENSING PROGRAM
FAQS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Who is required to be licensed?
2. Are there State requirements to post or display my license number?
3. How do I obtain a license?
4. Do I submit fingerprint cards with my application?
5. Do I tell the Commissioner I have been arrested when making application?
6. Is training required?
7. Is there a list of approved courses, schools, trainers, etc., and how may I obtain a list?
8. Are courses available online?
9. If an exam is required, how do I apply for licensing exam?
10. I passed my exam what do I do next?
11. How long will it take to process my application?
12. I am licensed in another state and want to operate in Tennessee. Do you have reciprocity agreements with other states?
13. How do I renew a license?
14. Can I renew my license or registration online?
15. Do I tell the Commissioner I have been arrested when renewing my license?
16. How far in advance of expiration date should my renewal be completed?
17. Is Continuing education required?
18. Is there a list of approved continuing education courses?
19. Are courses available online?
20. I let my license expire. How do I have it reinstated?
21. How do I retire my license?
22. I recently updated my status. Why hasn’t my status changed online?
23. Am I required to notify the Commissioner if I change my address?
24. Am I required to notify the Commissioner if I change my firm’s address?
25. Can I change my information on-line?
26. How can I get the forms I need?
27. How do I determine if an individual/company is licensed?

Complaints:
1. How do I file a complaint against a company/individual?
2. What happens after I file a complaint?
3. What can the state do if I have a legitimate grievance?
4. How do I get information regarding complaints filed or disciplinary action taken against a locksmith or locksmith company?

Who is required to be licensed?

Any person, partnership, association, corporation or local or state governmental employee desiring to practice locksmithing in the State of Tennessee must be licensed.
Locksmith – General Locksmith – all applicants must qualify for General Locksmith, additional classifications are Safe and Vault and Automotive.
Locksmith Basic Requirements: Non-refundable application fee, fingerprints for background check, statements of any criminal records, photos for identification card, experience, education or training, examination, license fee and identification card fee. Please refer to the website for specific training and experience requirements.
Locksmith Apprentice Basic Requirements: Non-refundable application fee, fingerprints for background check, statements of any criminal records, photos for identification card, registration fee and identification card fee.
Locksmith Company Basic Requirements: Non-refundable application fee, licensed Locksmith to qualify the company, proof of insurance as required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-11-108, affidavit of ownership disclosing felonies, registration fee.

Are there State requirements to post or display my license number?
Yes, the license number of the locksmith company shall be displayed prominently on all motor vehicles used in the course of business and all written advertising by the locksmith.

How do I obtain a license?
Submit a “completed” application for review and evaluation for licensing. Application materials and requirements can be obtained on our website, or by calling the “Tennessee Locksmith Licensing Program” at 615.532.3369 or 615.532.9130.

Do I submit fingerprint cards with my application?
Yes. An applicant shall submit three (3) sets of classifiable fingerprint cards that are rolled nail to nail by a qualified technician with his/her application for the purpose of allowing the Commissioner to forward the fingerprint cards to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Fingerprints may also be submitted electronically. Contact Cogent Systems at 1-877-862-2425 and you will be asked for the ORI# TN920520Z and the transaction type “LS”. Fee for electronic fingerprints will be $48.00 and the fee for this office to process fingerprint cards will be $60.00.

Do I tell the Commissioner I have been arrested when making application?
Yes. The Commissioner must be informed of all arrests, convictions and pending charges for a felony or misdemeanor in any jurisdiction.

Is training required?
Yes, qualifying education is required for all Locksmith License applicants. Training is not required for Locksmith Apprentice applicants.

Is there a list of approved courses, schools, trainers, etc., and how may I obtain a list?
Yes. Please refer to the website for the listing of approved qualifying education and continuing professional education courses.

Are courses available on-line?
Many of the courses approved to meet these requirements are available online.

If an exam is required, how do I apply for licensing exam?
Examination is required for all applicants who apply for a Locksmith License. An examination brochure is included in an application packet which can be mailed to you, or you may contact the exam vendor via the link on our website to schedule your exam.

I passed my exam what do I do next?
The Program will be notified by the examination vendor of the applicant’s score, and the applicant will be notified as to what still might be needed for licensure.

How long will it take to process my application?
Allow a minimum of four (4) to six (6) weeks for application processing. Time varies due to background checks and exams. Wait three (3) weeks before calling to verify your application status. All applications are processed in the order they are received.

I am licensed in another state and want to operate in Tennessee. Do you have reciprocity agreements with other states?
Not at this time.

How do I renew a license?
Renewal applications are forwarded by mail ninety (90) days prior to the license expiration date.

Can I renew my license or registration online?
Not at this time.

Do I tell the Commissioner I have been arrested when renewing my license?
Yes. The Commissioner must be informed of all arrests, convictions and pending charges for a felony or misdemeanor in any jurisdiction that were not disclosed on the initial application.

How far in advance of expiration date should my renewal be completed?
It is recommended that you submit your renewal form with all completed renewal requirements sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date. There is a ninety (90) day late renewal period afforded for license renewal. However, you may not continue to operate on an expired license or registration.

Is Continuing education required?
Yes. Twelve (12) hours of continuing education is a prerequisite to renewal of an individual locksmith license. Continuing education is not required for Locksmith Apprentices.

Is there a list of approved continuing education courses?
Yes. Please refer to the website for the list of approved qualifying education courses.

Are courses available on-line?
Many of the courses approved to meet these requirements are available online.

I let my license expire. How do I have it reinstated?
In order to reinstate an expired license, the same procedure is uses as to obtain the license.

How do I retire my license?
There are currently no provisions for license retirement.

I recently updated my status. Why hasn’t my status changed online?
Changes will not reflect on the website until the next working day after the change has been made. Contact the program office if the change is not made within the listed time frame.

Am I required to notify the Commissioner if I change my address?
Yes. All changes must be reported within thirty (30) days of the change.

Am I required to notify the Commissioner if I change my firm’s address?
Yes. All changes must be reported within thirty (30) days of the change.

Can I change my information online?
Not at this time. You can email program staff with the requested changes, or you may fax a written request to 615.532.2965.

Am I required to notify the Commissioner if my job status changes?
Yes.

How can I get the forms I need?
All forms can be obtained on our website, or you may contact program staff to request an application or renewal packet.

How do I determine if an individual/company is licensed?
License search is available online or you can contact the program staff.

Complaints
How do I file a complaint against a company/individual?
Complaint forms may be obtained from the Locksmith Licensing Program or on the website www.tn.gov/commerce/boards/llp.

The Commissioner cannot recover or order the refund of any money or property to which you may be entitled. You must institute a civil lawsuit for this purpose and hire your own legal counsel. Complete the complaint form; give complete statements of the facts, with names and dates, and be sure to include all documentation that supports your allegation such as the nature of the complaint, copies of relevant paperwork and the address of the person or firm you are filing the complaint against.
Anonymous complaints containing advertisements or other independent proof of a violation will be opened as complaint and processed according to the normal complaint procedures. However, they must include the name, contact information, violation details, and location address in order for action to be taken and investigated.

What happens after I file a complaint?

An acknowledgement letter of receipt is sent to the complainant. Request for a response to the allegations is sent by certified mail to the respondent. Upon receipt of the response, a copy is forwarded to the complainant. Complaint, response and all documentation is referred to staff attorney. An investigation is initiated if deemed necessary by staff attorney. The attorney prepares a legal report of law violations and recommendations to assess civil penalties, fines, or take formal action to suspend or revoke the license. The final determination is made by the Commissioner based on evidence presented. After final determination is made the complainant and respondent are notified of Commissioner’s final disposition.

What can the State do if I have a legitimate grievance?

The Commissioner does not have the authority to award monetary damages, refund money, or force the respondent to complete the project. The Commissioner may assess discipline such as letters of warning/caution, citations, civil penalties, consent orders and in some cases, they may revoke or suspend the license through an adversarial formal hearing process with an Administrative Judge, pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. Anyone seeking to recover monetary remedies for injuries should consult a private attorney, as the Commissioner has no jurisdiction over these matters.

How do I get information regarding complaints filed or disciplinary action taken against a locksmith or locksmith company?

A Disciplinary Action Report is posted on the Department website monthly. Open complaint cases or those closed without discipline are not listed on the website and you would need to contact our staff to check the complaint history for an individual or company.