ALOA CPS case studies
ALOA CPS · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ALOA Certified Professional Locksmith (CPS) is a professional credential offered within the certification program of ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc., a trade association that describes itself as "dedicated to furthering the industry through education, leadership and promoting professionalism and ethics for security professionals worldwide." CPS is aimed at working locksmiths and security technicians who want independent validation of their technical breadth and professional conduct, and it is commonly pursued alongside ALOA's other designations and division-specific credentials. Because ALOA organizes its education and divisions around four areas - institutional locksmithing (AIL), automotive locksmithing (IAAL), investigation (IAIL), and safes and vaults (SAVTA) - CPS-style exam content is best studied in four parallel tracks: mechanical locks and locksmithing fundamentals; automotive locksmithing and key generation; safes, vaults, and high-security containers; and professional practice, ethics, and business operations. The ALOA CPS case studies are 5 cases and about 2,694 words.
1The Pinned-to-Pinned Rekey That Won't Turn
A property manager brings you a residential knobset removed from a rental unit. The tenant lost keys, so a previous maintenance worker attempted a rekey.
563 words, about 3 min2All-Keys-Lost on a Transponder Vehicle With No Proof of Ownership
A man walks in on a Saturday afternoon with a 2016 pickup and no keys. He says he bought it at an auction two weeks ago and the title is 'in the mail.' He has a bill of sale photocopy with a name that does not match his ID, and the VIN on the paperwork matches the truck.
528 words, about 3 min3A Fire-Rated Safe Door That Won't Re-Lock After Service
You service a small commercial burglary/fire safe in a jewelry store. The customer reports the door 'doesn't feel right' after another technician replaced the lock.
551 words, about 3 min4The Discounted Rekey That Becomes a Code-of-Ethics Problem
You quote a 12-unit apartment building rekey at a flat per-unit price. Mid-job, the on-site manager asks you to also 'make a couple of master keys' for the building's maintenance staff so they can enter any unit.
513 words, about 3 min5A Van Purchase That Puts Your Whole Business at Risk
You are a one-person mobile locksmith. A used van you like is priced attractively.
539 words, about 3 min