CML Business Practices & Professional Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A locksmith discovers that a key they duplicated was used in a burglary. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?
- Destroy all records to avoid liability
- Cooperate fully with law enforcement and provide records (Correct answer)
- Contact the customer who requested the duplicate
- Deny any knowledge of the key duplication
Correct answer: Cooperate fully with law enforcement and provide records
Locksmiths must cooperate with law enforcement investigations and maintain records that can assist in criminal investigations.
Question 2: Which practice BEST demonstrates ethical pricing in a locksmith business?
- Charging higher rates to customers who appear affluent
- Providing written estimates before beginning work (Correct answer)
- Billing by the job regardless of time spent
- Charging a premium for emergency calls without disclosure
Correct answer: Providing written estimates before beginning work
Providing written estimates before work begins ensures transparency and protects both the customer and the business.
Question 3: A CML is asked to rekey a rental property by someone who claims to be the landlord but cannot provide proof of ownership. The correct action is to:
- Proceed if the customer pays in cash upfront
- Refuse the job until proper authorization is verified (Correct answer)
- Complete the job and note the uncertainty in records
- Ask a neighbor to vouch for the person
Correct answer: Refuse the job until proper authorization is verified
Locksmiths must verify authorization before providing access services to prevent assisting unauthorized entry.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of maintaining a key duplication log in a locksmith business?
- To track inventory usage for ordering purposes
- To provide an audit trail for security and accountability (Correct answer)
- To calculate employee productivity
- To determine popular key types for marketing
Correct answer: To provide an audit trail for security and accountability
Key duplication logs create accountability and can be essential in resolving disputes or assisting law enforcement.
Question 5: A CML employee reports witnessing a colleague accepting payment to make unauthorized key copies. The CML owner should FIRST:
- Wait to gather more evidence before acting
- Immediately terminate the colleague without investigation
- Conduct a confidential internal investigation and document findings (Correct answer)
- Report directly to police before any internal review
Correct answer: Conduct a confidential internal investigation and document findings
A proper internal investigation that documents findings is the appropriate first step before taking disciplinary or legal action.
Question 6: When advertising locksmith services, which practice violates professional ethics?
- Listing certifications earned through ALOA
- Claiming government affiliation the business does not have (Correct answer)
- Advertising 24/7 emergency availability
- Displaying the business license number in ads
Correct answer: Claiming government affiliation the business does not have
Falsely claiming government affiliation is deceptive advertising and violates both ethical standards and consumer protection laws.
Question 7: A customer requests a master key system but the location is later found to be involved in illegal activity. The locksmith's BEST protection is:
- A signed authorization form with verified identification (Correct answer)
- A verbal agreement witnessed by an employee
- A receipt showing full payment was received
- A photograph of the customer taken during the transaction
Correct answer: A signed authorization form with verified identification
Signed authorization with verified ID documents the locksmith's good-faith effort to confirm legitimate authorization.
CML Business Practices & Professional Ethics 2
A locksmith discovers that a key they duplicated was used in a burglary.
What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?