Online Locksmith Training Program Courses & Curriculum

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

The program goal for Penn Foster's Professional Locksmithing Program is to train students to become professional locksmiths and operate a Locksmithing business.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

Comprehend the mission of a locksmith, the need in today's world for ethical locksmiths, and how locksmithing fits into the larger security industry.
Interpret key codes in order to use a key catalog, and comprehend the process for duplicating or cutting flat, cylinder, and bit keys.
Identify types and features, and the working order of locking mechanisms, including key-in-knob locks, auxiliary locks, and deadbolts.
Recognize how a master key structure operates in order to create and maintain a working system.
Understand common methods and tools used to open locks without keys, including lockpicking and impressioning.
Comprehend the details of how and why people enter buildings for the purpose of theft, and security measures designed to prevent stock shrinkage and burglary.
Identify tools and procedures for opening and replacing typical car door, trunk, and ignition locks.
Recognize the components of safe and vault locks and procedures for servicing, cleaning, unlocking, and changing the combination of these locks.
Identify types of panic hardware, electric locks, and electromagnetic locks, and how to install, operate, and troubleshoot these locks.
Comprehend techniques for maintaining a successful career as a locksmith, including crafting a professional resume, safe business practices, licensing, and certification.

Starting Your Program

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program.

Objectives:

Understand how to use your Student Portal.
Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers.
Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.

Locksmithing: An Expanding Career Field

Identify employment opportunities and the qualifications for professional locksmiths.
Describe the security industry.

Introduction to Locks and Keys

Describe the basic types of lock mechanisms.
Identify specialized tools used by locksmiths.
Outline typical locksmithing tasks.

Identifying Keys

Identify the basic types of keys and their parts.
Duplicate keys.
Find blank keys in a key catalog.
Compare an original key to a blank.

Practical Exercise

Identifying Keys

Lock Mechanisms

Understand the construction and operation of warded locks and padlocks.
Explain the operation of combination locks.
Describe lever locks, disk tumbler locks, and pin tumbler locks.

Additional Unit Materials

Supplement: Glossary of Locksmithing Terms

Learning Aids:

Assorted Key Blanks
Lever Tumbler Lock
Disk Tumbler Lock
Papaiz® Cutaway Padlock

Residential Locks

Understand the operation of mortise locks, rib locks, key-in-knob locks, and tubular deadbolts.
Describe the installation steps for key-in-knob locks, deadbolts, rim locks, and other door locks.

Keymaking and Rekeying

Outline key duplication by hand and by machine.
Duplicate cylinder keys, flat keys, and bit keys.
Explore rekeying locks.

Practical Exercises

Duplicating a Cylinder Key for the Papaiz® Padlock
Rekeying a Kwikset® Lock

Additional Unit Materials

Supplement: Using Tools Safely

Learning Aids:

Files
Bench Vise
Kwikset® Door Lock
Kwikset® Pinning Kit
Tweezers

Opening Locks Without Keys

Outline the various methods of opening locks without keys.
Impression keys.

Practical Exercises

Shimming Open and Rekeying the Mortise Cylinder
Impressioning a Key for a Mortise Cylinder

Home and Business Security

Describe security in retail and industrial settings.
Explain "target hardening" techniques.
Improve security in home and business settings.
Perform a security analysis.

Additional Unit Materials

Learning Aids:

Lockpicks
Tension wrench
Mortise cylinder
Shim stock
Screwdriver set

Automotive Locks

Describe basic auto lock mechanisms and electronic security devices for auto protection.
Outline how to replace lock cylinders in doors, ignitions, and trunks.
Troubleshoot and service auto lock cylinders.

Safes and Vaults