An apparatus and method is disclosed for electronic locks with a selectable power off function. The electronic lock includes an electronic controller disposed within a lock housing and operable to control a state of the lock between locked and unlocked positions. An electronic actuator electrically coupled to the controller is movable between first and second positions corresponding to a locked position and an unlocked position of the lock, respectively. The electronic lock further includes at least one electrical energy storage device and a selector switch coupled to the controller to define a desired state of the lock between one of an electrically locked (EL) and an electrically unlocked (EU) state in an electric power off condition.