Learn Practical Skills At Home

Your comprehensive lessons are clear and well-organized; easy to follow, yet challenging and engaging at the same time. Each lesson begins with an introductory note from your instructor, plus a preview outlining the subject matter and study objectives.

Next comes the reading assignment from your beautifully illustrated textbook, lesson book, or supplemental references. Practical exercises and review questions will help reinforce important concepts. Then, turn in your open-book exam (available online) for the lesson, whenever YOU are ready.

We provide a quality starter kit of locksmithing tools and accessories, including a pinning kit, wrenches, picks, plug followers, and other supplies. These tools are yours as a student: all included in the tuition, at no additional cost!

Enroll online or call 1-800-535-1613 to speak with an Admission Advisor!

Meet Your Instructor

Dan Turner, chief instructor of The Professional Locksmithing Program, is the president and owner of a full service locksmithing and security company. He has been a professional locksmith since 1974 and a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America. He has also been a member of the American Society for Quality Control.

Training has been a very important part of his locksmithing career. He earned his B.S. from the University of Georgia, and earned his M.S. from Southern College of Technology in 1998.

He, along with our staff of caring, knowledgeable career tutors, will give you careful guidance through your studies. If you have questions or need help along the way, just write, call, fax or E-mail us 24 hours a day. We'll give you prompt, personal assistance.

What You’ll Learn Lesson By Lesson in this Course

Lesson 1, The Locksmithing Business: Basic Locks & Keys

Locksmithing career opportunities; working in a locksmith shop; in-house locksmiths; opening a business; recent business trends; qualities of a good locksmith; identifying locks by type, manufacturer, key type, installation method, internal construction and function; types of locks and keys.

Lesson 2, Keys & Directories: How Locks Work

Choosing the key blank; barrel, flat, corrugated, cylinder and tubular keys; identifying the bow and keyway grooves; using key blank directories; introduction to key cutting; warded padlocks and bit key locks; lever tumbler locks; disc tumbler locks; side bar wafer locks.

Lesson 3, Pin Tumbler Locks, Locksmithing Tools

How pin tumbler locks work; re-keying a lock; removing a broken key; replacing the pins; basic tools of the locksmith: drills, broken key extractor, plug follower and plug holder; building your checklist of locksmith's tools and equipment.

Lesson 4, Introduction To Master Keying & Security

Keying for lever tumbler, disc tumbler and pin tumbler master locks; understanding the criminal mind; general rules of building security; how burglars enter; specific security measures for doors and their frames, door locks, windows and lighting; how to make a security survey.

Lesson 5, Hardware For Doors, Fitting Locks Into Doors

Understanding, installing and servicing the three basic Schlage locks: key-in-knob locks, deadbolt locks and cylinder key mortise locks; Schlage lock parts inventory; types of butts and hinges; high-security strike plates; how to hand a door; Install-A-Lock door reinforcers; hasps; door holders; doorstops; wide-angle door viewers.

Lesson 6, Introduction To High-Security& Pushbutton Combination Locks

Lock cylinder components and safeguards; understanding and installing high-security lock systems: CorKey, DOM IX KG, Kaba Gemini, Medeco and Schlage Primus; understanding and installing the most common pushbutton combination locks: Unican 1000 Series and Simplex Series 3000.

Lesson 7, Locks: Their Design & Function

How to understand locks by their design, installation and function; construction and operation of six basic lock types: mortise, key-in-knob, rim, padlock (keyed or combination), and tubular deadlock; fifty common lock applications; understanding what particular models of locks and keys can and cannot do.

Lesson 8, Keyways & Master Keying

Five key types: bit, barrel, flat, tubular and cylinder; key identification and catalogs; keyway spacings and depths; effective diameter; decoding key cuts; depth key sets; understanding master keying; master key access levels and symbols; the master-keyed cylinder; creating a master-keyed system.

Lesson 9, High-Security Locks

Basic characteristics of high-security locks; choosing the right cylinder; detailed construction, design and installation of the most common systems: Medeco, ASSA twin 6000, Mul-T-Lock and the biaxial system.

Lesson 10, Interchangeable Cores

Control key; core assembly; housing; sleeve; locking lug; control shearline; control pins; pin stack; basic operation and construction of Best, Falcon, Arrow, Eagle and Lockwood locks; keys and key making; pin stack length; slide chart; decoding the core; Schlage cylinders; Medeco cylinders.

Lesson 11, Automotive Locksmithing

Domestic automotive lock types; wafer door locks; wafer sidebar locks; automotive lock designs; keying information; locks for GM, Ford, Chrysler and Saturn; passkey systems; airbag operation, servicing, precautions, removal and troubleshooting.

Lesson 12, Modern Alarms

Alarm control panels; system supervision; computer applications in alarm systems; wired and wireless controls and receivers; zoning; choosing a control; specialized alarm tools for the locksmith; protective devices for windows and doors; passive infra-red detectors; smoke and heat detectors.

Lesson 13, Home & Business Services

Common problems and troubleshooting for heavy-duty and standard cylindrical, mortise and deadbolt locks; removing; reinstalling; replacing; changing the hand; door preparation and mounting; door jambs; wood, glass and metal doors; installing a strike; entry-door security precautions; exit alarm locks; panic bars; extracting broken keys.

Lesson 14, Decoding, Picking & Emergency Entry

Reading codes; lock picking tools and techniques; emergency entry; drilling; cylinder removal; window entrances; filing cabinets and desks; opening doors; opening automobiles; forced entry.

Lesson 15, Combination Locks

The principles of combination locks; combination lock parts and manipulation; drilling; changing combinations; pushbutton key-less locks; key-less locking devices; working with specific combination lock brands.

Lesson 16, Electrical Access & Exit Control Systems

Understanding electric releases; electrical considerations; installation and procedures; circuitry; troubleshooting; electric door openers; electrified mortise, knob and key-less locks; electromagnetic locks; key-actuated switches.

Lesson 17, Key Duplicating Machines

Design factors; three types of key cutters and their operating procedures; maintenance; adjusting for depth and lateral spacing; alignment for various key types.

Lesson 18, The Business of Locksmithing

Qualifications, permits, and clearance for locksmiths; planning a locksmith shop; supply stock; financing; record keeping; mobile locksmith shops; advertising and literature; building contacts; legal obligations and regulations.