Certification

Residential/Commercial

Level	Credits required	Notes
Apprentice Locksmith	0 Residential/Commercial credits
Locksmith I (L I)	25 Residential/Commercial credits	Ethics pledge
Locksmith II (L II)	50 Residential/Commercial credits	Minimum 1 verifiable year in trade
Locksmith III (L III)	100 Residential/Commercial credits	Minimum 3 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references.
Locksmith IV (L IV)	300 Residential/Commercial credits	Minimum 5 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references. Proctored final test (webcam or in person, $125).
Master Locksmith (ML)	500 Residential/Commercial credits	Minimum 10 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references. Proctored final test (webcam or in person, $125).

Automotive

Level	Credits required	Notes
Apprentice Automotive Locksmith (AL-A)	0 Automotive credits
Automotive Locksmith I (AL I)	25 Automotive credits	Ethics pledge
Automotive Locksmith II (AL II)	50 Automotive credits	Minimum 1 verifiable year in trade
Automotive Locksmith III (AL III)	100 Automotive credits	Minimum 3 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references.
Automotive Locksmith IV (AL IV)	300 Automotive credits	Minimum 5 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references. Proctored final test (webcam or in person, $125).
Automotive Master Locksmith (MAL)	500 Automotive credits	Minimum 10 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references. Proctored final test (webcam or in person, $125).

Safe & Vault

Level	Credits required	Notes
Apprentice Safe & Vault Locksmith (SVL-A)	0 Safe & Vault credits
Safe & Vault Locksmith I (SVL I)	25 Safe & Vault credits	Ethics pledge
Safe & Vault Locksmith II (SVL II)	50 Safe & Vault credits	Minimum 1 verifiable year in trade
Safe & Vault Locksmith III (SVL III)	100 Safe & Vault credits	Minimum 3 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references.
Safe & Vault Locksmith IV (SVL IV)	300 Safe & Vault credits	Minimum 5 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references. Proctored final test (webcam or in person, $125).
Safe & Vault Master Locksmith (MSVL)	500 Safe & Vault credits	Minimum 10 verifiable years in trade. 2 professional references. Proctored final test (webcam or in person, $125).

Forensic entry requirements

The Forensic track is shorter and gated. To enter, a member needs Level II or higher in another track, 3 verifiable years in the trade, 1 year of PROLOA membership, an ethics pledge, and 2 professional references.

Existing members who already hold an FL or MFL number keep that Forensic level. They do not have to meet the new Forensic entry requirements.

Forensic

Level	Credits required	Notes
Forensic Locksmith I (FL I)	75 Forensic credits	Must meet Forensic entry requirements
Forensic Locksmith II (FL II)	150 Forensic credits	Proctored exam ($150), oral interview, and a sample report
Master Forensic Locksmith (MFL)	300 Forensic credits	Minimum 10 verifiable years in trade. 3 reviewed case reports. Proctored final test (webcam or in person, $150). Recertify every 3 years ($100).

Certified Grand Master Locksmith (CGML)

Certified Grand Master Locksmith (CGML) is the top, cross-track title. It requires Master in 3 of the 4 tracks, one of which must be Residential/Commercial (Master Locksmith), plus 15 verifiable years in the trade.

Each test has 50 questions, and the pass mark is 80% (40 of 50). Official test questions are still being written. PROLOA staff proctor Level IV and Master tests, over webcam or in person.

Test fees

App tests are free, with one free retake, then $40 per app test. A proctored Level IV or Master test is $125, over webcam or in person, and is proctored by PROLOA staff. The Forensic exam is $150. Forensic renewal is $100 every 3 years. Certified Grand Master Locksmith (CGML) has no test fee.

Pay a test fee online

How credits work

Credits and points are the same measure, shown as credits. Both classes and certification tests earn credits, and both count toward every level.

Credits by tier

Tier	Completed class	Passed test
Foundations	1 credit	1 credit
Practitioner	2 credits	2 credits
Advanced	3 credits	3 credits

If you complete a class and also pass its test, both count. Each distinct class and each distinct test earns credit once. Foundations tests are open to everyone. Practitioner tests open once you hold Level I. Advanced tests open once you hold Level III.

Classes count for at most 40%

Class credits from PROLOA online classes, PROLOA in-person classes, and approved partner classes all count toward one limit. Together they can supply at most 40% of the credits for each level. The rest, at least 60%, must come from passed certification tests. Online classes have no separate limit.

A member who only takes classes cannot reach a level. Classes also cannot replace the required Level IV and Master tests.

Level	Credits required	Most from classes (40%)	Least from tests (60%)
Level I (L I, AL I, SVL I)	25	10	15
Level II	50	20	30
Level III	100	40	60
Level IV	300	120	180
Master	500	200	300
Forensic Locksmith I	75	30	45
Forensic Locksmith II	150	60	90
Master Forensic Locksmith	300	120	180

Proctored Level IV and Master tests are required. Class credits cannot waive them or lower their pass mark. Credits are earned in the track of the class or test taken. A cross-track elective counts toward one track, which the member picks when submitting it. Retake policy: one free retake, then the member pays the test fee again.

Designation after your name

Members may use the designation for a level they hold after their name, including CGML for Certified Grand Master Locksmith and ML for Master Locksmith. Designations, where a level has them, are shown beside each level in the tables above. Apprentice Locksmith has no designation.

Outside credits

Outside credits will be evaluated for equivalent. Members submit certificates and transcripts from other associations, classes, and training in My Credits. Staff review the proof and award equivalent credits if they are approved.

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