ICL Membership

Continuing their mission to promote non-destructive entry and the highest possible standards within the locksmithing industry, the ICL has revised its membership structure.

Earlier news …

  • As part of the continuing development of ICL as a professional organisation promoting good practice within the locksmithing industry, the ICL now has a formal Constitution, a Code of Ethics, and rules governing membership application and termination in addition to the existing rules, guidelines and categories for Members.
  • All Certified Members are ICL-licensed locksmiths and will be vetted annually, in line with the MLA whose approach on this was endorsed by ICL. The ICL has always vetted its Members, requiring a new check every two years. The ICL decided to change this to an annual background check. The ICL support advice to the public that only ICL and MLA locksmiths should be used.
  • The ICL were proud to be invited to the MLA exhibition in September 2009 and ran training courses for MLA members in the non-destructive opening of locks. With the current MLA chairman being a Member of the ICL, ICL further endorsed that these two organisations represent the best and most trusted resource of locksmiths to the public.
  • The ICL Security Exhibition took place in Nottingham in March 2010. Read all about it.
  • Institute membership categories were restructured inline with the needs of Members, clients and customers. Read full details of the new membership structure.
  • The new industry publication 'The Locksmith' was launched initially as an online newsletter.
  • ICL endorsed the Ban the Bump Key campaign. Find out more and support the campaign.
  • The Institute of Certified Locksmiths Annual Convention 2008 was held on Friday 12th September 2008 at Meadow Lane stadium, the home of Notts County Football Club. It was open and free to all trading locksmiths. Full details
  • ICL discussed with an independent publishing house the possibility of putting together a monthly locksmith industry publication. We are pleased to say that they want to persue this and go ahead.
  • The ICL endorsed Pickbuster as a positive enhancement to home security which should be used in conjunction with other protection products and methods. You can find out more at Pickbuster and UAP.
  • The Pickbuster story was covered in this news article about UAP on the Fenestration Industry News website.
  • There was a social event for ICL Members on 12th July 2008 at the Locksmiths Training Centre
  • The ICL worked closely with a number of police forces to address the issue of the bumping of locks. We worked with police officers, crime prevention units and scenes of crime officers across the country to address their questions with regards to this issue. A number of meetings took place with the Metropolitan police, Gwent police, Somerset and Avon police etc. The ICL were happy to assist the police in their understanding of the problem and in the advice of preventative measures.
  • The ICL were asked by the Police / Crown Prosecution Service to write technical support statements which will allow the police to arrest and charge suspects who are caught with bump keys as a means of 'going equipped' to commit an offence. The ICL were pleased to have assisted and supported this action as part of its support to combat the problem of bump keys being obtained for illegal purposes.
  • The ICL summer event took place on 14th July 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the very centre of Nottingham. Read the report.
  • The ICL endorsed Safe Ventures and their tools.
  • Keyprint held open days called Update for Locksmiths on the 9th and 10th June 2007 in Edinburgh. The events ran from 10am to 4pm on both days, with a barbecue and refreshments at all times. There were demos, expert classes and a safe-opening competition.
  • The ICL demonstrated tools to the uPVC forum in Alfreton, Derbyshire on 8th March 2007.
  • Ken Peterson demonstrated his picks to ICL Members and invitees in Guildford on 11th February 2007.
  • The tour of the ERA factory for ICL Members took place on 24th November 2006, followed by a tour (with a private opening) of the lock museum in Willenhall.
  • ICL Members became eligible for a discount on all SKS products. For details, login to the Members-only section.
  • The SKS open day was held on Saturday 9th September 2006 in Berkhamsted. The Institute had its own exhibition stand, with pick demonstrations and special offers available on the day. There was also a free barbecue, free bar, competitions and promotions.
  • The Institute's forum is available to all locksmiths for discussion of industry issues. It is managed and maintained directly by us, freeing us from the technical difficulties that we experienced with the previous version forum.