Master Locksmiths Association

Master Locksmiths Association is a not for profit trade association representing locksmiths in the United Kingdom. It operates a certification program and a referral program to direct consumers to its certified locksmiths. It was established in 1958 and has about 1, 400 members. The BBC One Rogue Traders has used the MLA to provide expert input. Certification and referralLocksmithing does not come under the Security Industry Authority, and there is no government licensing of locksmiths. This in effect means that anyone can trade as a locksmith irrespective of background, motive or competence. In 2009 it became possible to get a background check on a locksmith (unless employed full-time by a school /hospital etc. ). This occurred when the Exceptions order for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 was changed in July 2009 following debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords whereby the MLA was added to the list enabling it to get standard level CRB disclosures. The MLA has its own non-governmental certification process whereby companies are vetted and regularly inspected. It currently has about 350 Approved Companies, which can be found through its "Find a Locksmith" website referral program. Membership typesThe MLA has four member sectors: The British Locksmiths Institute – for educational programs The Membership sector – for personal and company memberships The Affiliate membership sector – for manufacturers and distributors The Guild of Keycutters – for the keycutting industry The MLA offers three grades of individual membership – Student, Advanced Student and Personal. It offers two types of organisation membership – Approved Company membership for locksmithing companies and Affiliate membership for manufacturers and distributors.

Master Locksmiths Association is a not for profit trade association representing locksmiths in the United Kingdom. It operates a certification program and a referral program to direct consumers to its certified locksmiths. It was established in 1958 and has about 1, 400 members. The BBC One Rogue Traders has used the MLA to provide expert input. Certification and referralLocksmithing does not come under the Security Industry Authority, and there is no government licensing of locksmiths. This in effect means that anyone can trade as a locksmith irrespective of background, motive or competence. In 2009 it became possible to get a background check on a locksmith (unless employed full-time by a school /hospital etc. ). This occurred when the Exceptions order for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 was changed in July 2009 following debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords whereby the MLA was added to the list enabling it to get standard level CRB disclosures. The MLA has its own non-governmental certification process whereby companies are vetted and regularly inspected. It currently has about 350 Approved Companies, which can be found through its "Find a Locksmith" website referral program. Membership typesThe MLA has four member sectors: The British Locksmiths Institute – for educational programs The Membership sector – for personal and company memberships The Affiliate membership sector – for manufacturers and distributors The Guild of Keycutters – for the keycutting industry The MLA offers three grades of individual membership – Student, Advanced Student and Personal. It offers two types of organisation membership – Approved Company membership for locksmithing companies and Affiliate membership for manufacturers and distributors.