Since February 01st 2017 PSA55:2016 is the required document has been developed by the Private Security Authority for the licensing of contractors in the Locksmiths sector. Contractors wishing to provide Locksmith services from that date will require the appropriate PSA licence.
Definition of Locksmith
A locksmith is defined as a person who in the course of a business, trade or profession provides a security service:
- installing,
- opening,
- maintaining,
- repairing, or
- servicing
security equipment that:
a) consists of mechanical, electronic or other locking devices designed constructed or adapted to prevent unauthorised access to or within premises where such equipment is situated
b) consists of mechanical electronic or other locking devices designed constructed or adapted to prevent unauthorised access to motor vehicles
It also includes a person who, in connection with the provision of the services referred to above:
- originates, duplicates or provides, by copy or code, restricted keys, safe keys or motor vehicle transponder keys
- gives advice relating to the installation of such equipment or advice relating to the protection of such devices from damage or interference
Who is licensable
From 1 February 2017, contractors providing security services as a locksmith will require a licence from the gives advice relating to the installation of such equipment or advice relating to the protection of such devices from damage or interference
What is not licensable?
The following do not require a licence:
a) The installation of locks or locking mechanisms that constitute a component of an access control system (see Information Note on Access Control – PSA 21 for definition of access control for licensing purposes).
b) Qualified carpenter who installs a mechanical locking device as part of the installation of a door provided that the door does not proceed access to safes or strong rooms
c) Any work on locking mechanisms in doors and windows by a person whose sole or main occupation is the installation of windows and doors, provided:
- the work is undertaken by the person who installed the door or window and is carried out within the manufacturer’s warranty period or warranty period agreed and documented by the customer and the person at the time of the installation, and
- in the case of a door installation, the door does not provide access to safes or strong rooms.
d) Any work on locking mechanisms in safes by a safe supplier or installer3, provided:
- the work is undertaken by a safe supplier or installer who installed the safe and the work is carried out within the manufacturer’s warranty period or the warranty period agreed and documented by the supplier or installer and the customer at the time of the installation.
e) A person who solely supplies locking devices whether on its own or as part of a fitting but does not install or open or maintain or repair or service or originate keys or other opening devices for such locking devices
f) Person who copies keys for locking devices using a machine where the keys are duplicated from an existing key that is not a safe, strong room or otherwise restricted key.
g) Person who copies coded keys which do not require a key registration card or similar to obtain a code and which are used for locking post boxes, lockers and other devices.
h) Person who is recognised by a motor vehicle manufacturer or distributor as a person authorised to service motor vehicles and their locking mechanisms
