Join the MLA – Become a Member

If you are a locksmith looking to join the MLA we have a number of membership categories to choose from, we have membership categories for all levels of experience.

Reduced Prices on Training Courses – MLA members receive discounted prices on all our training courses.

If you prefer to save time, you can quickly request a membership pack below.

Each membership category and the benefits can be found below:

MLA Membership Categories

1. PERSONAL MEMBER
   New to industry or trading as a locksmith

2. APPROVED COMPANY
   Full use of MLA logo & listed on MLA website

3. AFFILIATE MEMBER
   Suppliers, manufacturers, distributors in the industry

Whether you’re starting out or you’ve worked in the industry for years, MLA membership will help support and inspire you at every stage of your locksmith career

View Comparison of MLA Membership Categories

PERSONAL MEMBERSHIP – Registered or QML Membership

Aimed at you as an individual locksmith rather than your company. Personal membership is where most of our members begin their journey.

We have three different categories of Personal Membership. These are a) Registered Membership or b) QML membership of the MLA.

Download FREE Personal Membership Pack

Who is Personal Membership For?

Joining as Personal member is perfect if you are:

1. Interested in becoming a locksmith or undertaking training or
2. Already attended training and seeking MLA membership or
3. A trading locksmith looking to progress your career or
4. You work in the industry OR are located outside the UK

REGISTERED MEMBERSHIP

Registered membership is entry level into the MLA and suitable for all levels of experience:

• Perfect from those totally new to the industry OR
• Locksmiths who have working in the industry for years but have not yet passed the ALA or MLA Qualification.

Download FREE Registered Membership Pack

How registered membership can help you

If you are new to locksmithing

When starting your locksmith career, it’s essential to understand more about the industry and how to develop your career in it; having the proper knowledge and support is vital. 

With discounts on our training, access to our member only Facebook group and forum plus regular updates on the industry in Keyways and regional meetings you’ll soon be up and running

Download FREE Membership Pack

If you’re already a working locksmith

Joining the membership whilst working towards the MLA Qualification gives you a number of tools to help you succeed. You can connect with our network of fellow locksmiths to share knowledge, experiences and even work. 

Our extensive range of resources can help you stay up to date with the latest industry developments, changes in legislation and technical knowledge. 

Download FREE Membership Pack

Benefits of Registered Membership

• Membership ID Card Your own ID to show proof of membership
• Training Discounts Discounted training courses & qualifications for yourself, and staff members
• Free Member’s Only Training + Attend Regional Meetings Access to regional meetings & free training at regional meetings
• Exclusive Forum + Facebook Group Access to our member only Facebook group and forum 
• BI Monthly Locksmith Magazine Regular updates on the industry in Keyways and regional meetings you’ll soon be up and running
• Member’s Only Discounts & Benefits Discounted vehicles, insurance. credit card processing, finance, advertising etc

Whats next?

All Registered Members are expected to progress to Qualified Master Locksmith status within 4 years of membership. 

To achieve Qualified Master Locksmith status candidates must pass all four modules of the MLA Qualification (written, fitting, key cutting by hand and opening). 

MLA Qualification Info
Got a question? Contact Us

Requirements to join:

• Standard Level DBS Check via Government website or contact us
• Experience working as, or training to become a locksmith
• References from 2 people who have known you for two years or more

QML MEMBERSHIP

QML Membership is the next step to becoming an MLA Approved Company, you’ll be able to use our MLA logo for limited purposes.

Who is QML Membership For?

1. QML membership is for locksmiths who have passed the ALA or MLA Qualification
2. For locksmiths who wish to progress to becoming an MLA Approved Company

Our QML membership joining pack can be downloaded below:

Download FREE QML Membership Pack

How QML membership can help you

QML membership can really set you apart from your competitors and increase your professional recognition 

Benefits of QML Membership

• UK Wide Recognised Qualification The MLA Qualification is the highest locksmithing qualification you can achieve in the UK and is the best recognised proof of competence in the industry being OFQUAL recognised and accredited by ABBE (the awarding body for building regulations)
• Lower Subscription Fees
• Claim QML Membership QMLs can claim membership, use initials after their name and have use the MLA logo on workwear and business stationery but not on advertising
• Progression To Approved Company Status Being a QML sets you up for becoming an approved company or working for an approved company
• Membership ID Card Your own ID to show proof of membership
• Training Discounts Discounted training courses & qualifications, for yourself, and staff members
• Free Members Only Training + Regional Meetings Access to regional meetings & free training at regional meetings
• Exclusive Forum + Group Access to our member only Facebook group and forum
• Bi Monthly Locksmith Magazine Regular updates on the industry in Keyways and regional meetings you’ll soon be up and running
• Members Only Discounts & Benefits Discounted vehicles, insurance. credit card processing, finance, advertising etc

Download FREE QML Membership Pack

Whats next? 

QML members who are self-employed are encouraged to progress to Approved Company Membership. 

Got a question? Contact Us

Requirements to join

• Standard Level DBS Check via Government website or contact us
• Experience working as, or training to become a locksmith
• References from who has known you for two or more years (cannot be family related).

2. APPROVED COMPANY MEMBERSHIP (MLA)  –
Become an MLA Approved Locksmith

Locksmiths that become MLA Approved have FULL USE of the MLA logo to use on your own website & advertising, along with your own dedicated Approved Company profile on the MLA website.

Approved Company member is aimed at your company rather than you as an individual, for members who are self-employed and have their own business; you could be a sole trader or a larger company with employees.

Download FREE Approved Company Pack

How Approved Company membership can help your business

Locksmiths that become MLA Approved have FULL USE of the MLA logo to use on your own website & advertising, along with your own dedicated Approved Company profile on the MLA website.

Benefits of Approved Company Membership

• Use Of MLA Logo Include the MLA Approved Company logo on your marketing materials and website to show your MLA endorsement/accreditation and demonstrate you’re trusted, highly skilled and professional
• Recognition MLA Approved Companies are recognised and used by police, insurers and government; local and central
• Featured On Find A Locksmith Page Your company will be found on the MLA’s Find a Locksmith page
• Dedicated Locksmith Page Your own MLA Approved Company profile on the MLA website
• Approved Company Print Directory Included in the MLA Approved Company Directory which is distributed to insurers, police, Neighbourhood Watch and more
• Promotion Promotion via local and national press coverage generated by the association
• Attend Regional Meetings Grow your network by attending our regional meetings
• Exclusive Members Only Forum + Group Share knowledge, experiences and jobs by joining our MLA Members only Facebook group and forum
• Free Job Advertising Advertise job vacancies free of charge to our members
• Bi Monthly Locksmith Magazine Stay up-to-date with industry and association changes with your free copy of Keyways, our members only journal
• Discounted + Free Members Only Training Grow your range of services and/or train new members of staff with access to discounted MLA training. We occasionally run free training for members as well. Discounted training and qualifications for staff members
• Members Only Discounts & Benefits Savings on business essentials – insurance, computers, payment solutions, and vehicles
• Free Marketing Templates Access to free marketing communication templates
• Free Technical Support Access to technical advice via our technical manager at MLA headquarters
• Free Business Skills Tips Access to regular free business skills tips from our experts covering a growing number of topics from branding to improving your website
• Membership ID Card Your own ID to show proof of membership
• Share Work With Other Members Getting involved in regional and national contracts for work (which MLA companies share)

Got a question? Contact Us

Requirements to join:

All approved companies must have at least one Qualified Master Locksmith in their employment, which means many of our Approved Company owners also have a personal membership.

• Standard Level DBS Check – via Government website or contact us
• Company Inspection – at the outset and ongoing
• Experience – must have a locksmith who has passed the MLA Qualification

3. Affiliate Membership (MLA)

Become an MLA Affiliate Member

Are you a supplier to the industry, product or service, looking for a route to market?

Affiliate membership provides you with a fantastic promotional opportunity to get to our locksmith members.

Download FREE Affiliate Membership Pack

Benefits of Affiliate Membership

We offer a range of marketing opportunities as part of our affiliate membership

• Use Of MLA Logo Use of Affiliate Member logo on your website/marketing materials and product packaging
• Promote Your Brand At MLA Head Office Dedicated space at MLA Head Office for branded marketing materials, including display boards and leaflets
• Affiliate Directory Listing Entry in the affiliate directory in every issue of Keyways magazine
• MLA Handbook Listing Listing in MLA Handbook (distributed to members, police, insurers etc.)
• Website Affiliate Directory Listing Company profile included in the Affiliate Directory on the members area of locksmiths.co.uk which our members have access to
• Exclusive Forum + Group Access to our member only Facebook group and forum
• Discounted MLA Expo Rates Significant discount to showcase at the MLA Expo – Europe’s largest locksmith exhibition
• Market To MLA Members Paid for marketing opportunities to MLA members and discounted rates on digital marketing to members
• Exclusive Opportunities Present at regional meetings (ideal to promote your products/services). Ability to sponsor the association’s journal Keyways and/or benefit from discounted advertising therein
• Use Of Head Office Facilities Affiliates are welcome to use our Head Office facilities to hold meetings, product launches, seminars, and training courses
• Members Only Discounts & Benefits Discounted vehicles, insurance, credit card processing, finance, advertising etc.

FREE Affiliate Pack

Exclusive Affiliate Only Benefits

FREE MECHANICAL LOCKSMITHING TRAINING COURSE

Every subscription year we offer one FREE place for an Affiliate Member employee to attend 3 out of the 4 level 1 modules of  beginners mechanical locksmith training course, providing a full year’s subscription fees have been paid (accommodation not included).

The course provides a good basic knowledge of locksmithing and is perfect for sales, marketing and technical support staff.

REGIONAL MEETINGS – ATTEND + PRESENT

As an affiliate member you’re welcome to attend our regional meetings. Many affiliates use our regional meeting to present at the meetings to launch new products, to offer product training and demonstrations and to speak directly to our members.

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

There is a voting representative from the Affiliate Sector on the MLA Board of Directors to give the real ability to shape the future of MLA

USE OF HEAD OFFICE FACILITIES

Affiliates are welcome to use our Head Office facilities to hold meetings, product launches, seminars and training courses.

KEYWAYS

Keyways is our bi-monthly magazine distributed to our membership and covers latest industry and membership news.

Got a question? Contact Us

Requirements to join:

• Already in the trade – A manufacturer/wholesaler/distributor of security-related products, or services to locksmiths.

If you work within the security industry and/or have a connection to locks but don’t see a suitable category then please contact us

Contact us about membership

Join Our Facebook Groups:

We also have two groups on Facebook for locksmiths of all levels to talk about the industry, feel free to join both below:

Locksmith Group – open to all working locksmiths
MLA Members ONLY Locksmith Group – requires MLA membership number