Effective January 1, 2005 Texas required anyone
who charges a fee to
work on customers’ locks or other security devices, unlocks buildings, or who advertises that they do so
anywhere in Texas must be officially licensed. Licenses are being
issued through the State of Texas, Department of Public Security
(DPS), Private Security Bureau (PSB).
This
means the licensed person you call on to make a replacement set of
keys for your car, to repair your locks, get you into your locked
building, house or apartment when you lose your keys, has had
a background check by the State of Texas and the FBI to assure
he/she is not a convicted felon. He’s proven
himself to be knowledgeable in locksmithing, and he has the
required amount of liability insurance, in case he damages
something.
To stay in
business under this law, insurance, fees, and license
must be kept current. Among other things, this includes taking
continuing-education classes every year. Also, whenever they are on
the job, they must carry their official photo-ID card, issued by
the State of Texas.
The next
time you’re locked out of your vehicle, home, or
business, be sure the person who comes to help you is properly
licensed. Ask about this when you call them, and make them show you
their official photo-ID card when they arrive. Their official
license number must also be printed on their invoices, their
business cards, and must appear in all paid advertising, including
yellow-page telephone ads.
If they’re not licensed, don’t use
them. IT’S THE LAW! And it’s
enforced by the Texas DPS.
For more information about SB1252, or
to report someone
operating in violation of this law, contact Texas Department of
Public Safety (DPS) at 512-424-7711, or at their on-line website:
www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb
Tefco Locksmith is licensed by the state of Texas as a Locksmith company and as an Electronic Access Control Company -- Lic B11886.
