Curriculum

Locksmith Training Curriculum

In Penn Foster's Locksmith Training curriculum, you will learn about key making, electronic security, and how to work with several types of locks. Our program also covers the fundamentals of home security, including lessons on access control systems, closed circuit television (CCTV), detections systems, and system management software.

Locksmith & Home Security Technician

Career Diploma

2 months

As low as $59/mo

Full Program Overview

1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Locksmith Training Curriculum

19 exams
2 projects
6 courses

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 2 months
Average time = 5 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

The course orients the student to Penn Foster’s program. It introduces the student to the curriculum, the externship, the student portal, and Penn Foster’s Community.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- 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.
In this course, you’ll start by learning how to identify a variety of keys by looking at the shapes and characteristics of the key. You’ll then learn how to make new keys from key blanks by using a key machine. Finally, you’ll learn how to duplicate both standard and cylinder keys, one of the most common tasks of the professional locksmith.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the tasks performed by locksmiths
- Summarize the common types of locks and keys encountered by locksmiths
- List the common tools used by locksmiths and the safe practices for their uses
- Identify various types of keys using identifying marks and reference materials
- Explain the process of creating keys from key blanks
- Outline the process used to duplicate a cylinder key
- Duplicate a key using manual key duplication techniques
In this course, you’ll learn how locks are designed to fit many different security needs. You’ll learn how many standard and specialty locks operate, as well as how they’re bypassed when the correct key is missing. You’ll learn how to pick or rake open common types of locks and rekey locks when they need to be fit to a new key. You’ll also learn how safes and vaults operate and how to perform maintenance on them.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Describe the various types of locks and their applications
- Explain how to rekey a pin tumbler cylinder
- Summarize how to open locks without using a key
- Identify the components of safes and vaults
- Rekey a Kwikset lock for use with a different key
This course provides an overview of the role of the home security technician. You’ll start by learning about how the home security technician works to provide modern security solutions for homes and businesses. Then, you’ll learn some of the fundamentals of electricity, which home security technicians need to know in order to successfully wire for and install security systems. Finally, you’ll learn about low voltage electricity, which is used to power many control and security systems.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Explain the role of the home security technician in relation to locksmithing
- Explain how circuits function using Ohm’s Law
- Describe how electricity functions in low-voltage circuits
In this course, you’ll learn the basics of wiring a home security system. You’ll learn about access control systems, as well as how to identify the physical and electrical properties and characteristics of conductors. These areas of knowledge are essential for any wiring job you’ll work on throughout your entire career. Many of the skills you’ll learn in this
program build on these basic fundamentals.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Describe various types of access control systems and their components
- Describe how to select and install various types of conductors, wires, and cables
This course covers the different components that comprise a complete home security system. You’ll first learn about the types of detection and alarm systems that sense hazards in the home, including break-ins and fires. Then, you’ll learn about home monitoring systems that use CCTV and recording options both to monitor and protect a home. Finally, you’ll learn about system management software, which allows all of these systems to work together to keep a home safe from dangers.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Explain how CCTV and recording hardware are used to monitor a home
- Describe the various components and uses of detection and alarm systems
- Identify types and functions of common system management software for home security systems

Note: We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.