Greater Houston Locksmiths Association

The benefits of association membership helps you and your business prosper in several ways:

• Networking with fellow locksmiths and vendors. You get the opportunity to share knowledge that can be extremely helpful.
• GHLA distributes Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 & Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 35 updates to our membership regularly. (These are the laws that regulate locksmiths in Texas. If you don’t know them, you may be unknowingly breaking them.)
• We provide continuing education and ongoing training. (16 CEU’s every two years are required to maintain your locksmith endorsement with DPS.)
• GHLA works closely with the Texas Locksmiths Association to ensure the interests of Houston area locksmiths are considered when working with DPS & the State.
• Membership in GHLA can get you DISCOUNTS with our associate members, training and free continuing education.

2011 is a legislative year in Texas and having more locksmiths participating in the association would enable us to have a better cross section of ideas and collaboration from the greater Houston area. We have gotten more politically active to better protect locksmith’s rights and prevent further erosion of our business to non-locksmiths and scammers.

ghla Membership Application

• ACTIVE MEMBER shall consist of those actually engaged in the Locksmith profession of the servicing of security devices, locks, safes, etc. An active member must have a minimum of two (2) years experience in the Locksmith profession. All voting members of the Association must be licensed and/or registered by the Texas Department of Public Safety under the Private Security Act / Texas Occupations Code HB1702.1056 unless otherwise exempted by provisions listed in the code. All members must maintain active license and/or registration during membership. Any member or perspective member not in compliance with the mandatory provisions set forth in the Texas Occupations Code HB1702.1056 will be given sixty (60) days to be in compliance or membership with be terminated or denied.
• APPRENTICE OF JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP shall consist of those who have had six (6) months experience in the Locksmith profession, but less than two (2) years experience. They may vote and serve on committees. They must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and cannot hold office.
• STUDENT MEMBERSHIP shall consist of students and trainees. After six (6) months they may advance to apprentice or junior membership.
• ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP shall consist of Manufacturers of security devices, distributors of locks, key blanks, safes, etc. An Associate member shall not be eligible to hold office in GHLA.
• ALLIED MEMBERSHIP shall consist of those actually engaged in the Locksmith profession of the servicing of security devices, locks, safes, etc. An Allied member must have a minimum of one (1) year experience in the Locksmith profession. Allied members cannot hold office, serve on committees or vote.
• HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS shall consist of organizations and/or individuals directly or indirectly related to the security industry. Honorary membership shall be for a term of five (5) years (with the exception of surviving spouses), unless renewed by a majority vote of the general membership. Honorary members may not vote, hold office, or serve on committees. The surviving spouse of a GHLA member automatically becomes an Honorary member for life.
• LIFE MEMBERSHIPSHIPS may be awarded by the Board to those individuals who have been regular members in good standing for at least ten (10) years and have reached the age of sixty-five (65). Life members have all rights and privileges of regular members except that they are exempt from payment of dues.