Locksmith Training Curriculum

The Right Locksmith Training
from Qualified Instructors

The key to a prosperous future as a locksmith is getting the right training from qualified instructors. At ASL, our student locksmiths will be exposed to and trained in all of the varying aspects of the job. Our curriculum for every two-week course includes:

The Business of Locksmithing

Working as a locksmith can be a lucrative and independent small business. Find out how to start a locksmith business and see what is involved.

Business Ethics

Business ethics ensure that a certain required level of trust exists between consumers and locksmiths. Such practices ensure that the public receives fair treatment. Learn the proper business policies and practices regarding potentially controversial issues.

Locks and Locksmith History

History of locksmithing started approximately 4000 years ago. But why is that important? Like many professions, you have to know where you’ve come from to know where you’re going. Locksmithing is a profession and an art, and its history is worthy of attention.

Applicable Publications

From tools to business and technical aids, hardware, references, electronics, supplies and the like, the locksmithing industry has volumes of publications to select from. Learn from the experts what publications you need and for each type of application and specialty.

Locksmith Terms

Like many professions, our industry has terms and acronyms galore. The more you know and understand, the more professional you will become.

Keyblank Identification

A Keyblank is a key that has not been cut to a specific bitting. The blank has a specific cross-sectional profile to match the keyway in a corresponding lock cylinder. With over thousands of blanks out there, it takes a professional with training to identify them for any given customer.

Types of Locks and their Structure

From Tubular to Maison or Pin Tumbler, the types of locks used both residentially and commercially number in the hundreds. We’ll instruct you on the various lock styles, their advantages and disadvantages and how their structures impact security and maintenance.

Grades of Locks

Locks are tested for construction and durability, and broken into three different grades. It’s important to understand the difference between these grades. Our classes provide a great overview on most types of locks and the grades associated with each.

Lock Assembly, Disassembly and Mortise Lock Service

With the various types of locks out in the marketplace, our graduates learn not just how to replace them, but how to assemble and disassemble them in order to handle lock issues.

Key Machines

Precision machining, cutting edge electronics and advanced technologies are only some of the characteristics that make key machines indispensable to today’s locksmiths. The ASL teaches not only how to use them, but what to look for when purchasing your own.

Rekeying and Repinning Locks

Locksmiths frequently get calls from customers who want them to change locks. A good locksmith will first need to determine whether the customer simply needs to rekey locks or if they, in fact, need to replace the locks. Many customers aren’t even aware that there is an option or which is best for them.

Impressioning

Impressioning a key can be quite tedious and often results in failure even for the most experienced locksmiths. We think you’ll find it one of the most rewarding and frustrating skills you’ll ever learn. And we have just the experts to teach you the right techniques.

Interchangeable Core Locks (IC Core)

An interchangeable core or IC is a compact keying mechanism in a specific, small, figure-eight shape. Unlike a standard key cylinder, which is accessible only via disassembly, an IC mechanism relies upon a specialized “control” key for insertion and extraction of the essential core components.

Lockpicking

To a hobbyist or amateur lock picking means to manipulate or open a lock by using any tools they can find that simulate the action of a key. It’s not unusual for a locksmith to spend five minutes picking a standard pin tumbler lock with the proper tools and training.

Master Key Pin Tumbler Locks

Many people seem to be fascinated with Master Keys. Possibly due to the confusing nature of the device.
After your training, you should be able to understand any master key tumbler system, from the simplest version to the most complex.

Lock Installation Tools and Equipment

From mortise locks to deadbolt and car ignition systems, there’s a professional locksmith tool made just for it. At ASL, you’ll be taught to use professional equipment and tool use, and care by seasoned experts in the field.

Safe Lock Service and Combo Changes

The most important aspect of buying a safe or combo lock, is being sure that customers are buying the correct safe for the risks they are trying to protect against. Our instructors have the expertise and knowledge to instruct our students to not only assist customers in safe and combo lock selection but to train you in safe and combo lock opening, damage repair, combination changes, conversion to electronic safe locks and annual inspections.

Car Key Making

Replacing a transponder key for a vehicle is not as simple as getting a new key cut. This process should only be performed by a trained professional in order to ensure proper key function. All ASL technicians are trained to perform, make and program transponder keys.

Car Opening

There are many ways they can approach a car lockout. Each technician learns the science needed to quickly unlock car door. From there they work on the art. Our instructors have specialized training and experience to train you how to get into a locked car no matter what the circumstances are.

Programming Transponder Key

A transponder key is a car key that has a transponder chip inside of it. This is an additional security measure meant to increase the levels of proper user verification. Our instructors will teach you how to perform transponder key programming, which only takes a few minutes.