Welcome to the Locksmith Training School site!
We have everything you need to learn how to become a locksmith, get the training you need and even find a job or start your own locksmith business. Locksmiths can expect to make anywhere between $35,000 to $60,000 per year depending on training and certifications and unlike many trades, you can complete a locksmith training course in as little as three months!
Locksmith Training Options
Congratulations on deciding to pursue the exciting field of locksmithing! Generally, there are four ways you can get the locksmith training you need to start you career:
Attend A Locksmith Training Program: The fastest way to get a jump start on becoming a locksmith is to attend locksmith training classes at a school or center which offers specialized classroom instruction. These classes will cover a lot of information quickly, be taught by experienced instructors and locksmiths and more than likely have a lot of hands-on examples and practice.
Take Online Locksmith Training Classes: Not all training courses for becoming a locksmith are given in a classroom setting. There a variety of online courses and computer-based training programs which can show you the basic skills need to past most locksmith certification tests and exams. The classes can range from basic lock picking and keying of locks to the more complex study of installing electronic locks and security systems. Online classes will sometimes involve training at specific times of the day in specially-designed educational chat rooms or it may simply involve web-based tutorials followed by some testing to be sure you understood the material presented.
Locksmith Apprenticeships and On-The-Job Training: Many locksmiths start out in the career by working as a locksmith apprentice for a more established locksmith or security firm. Some states require lengthy apprenticeships lasting up to four years while others do not require any specific apprenticeship length. Working as a locksmith’s apprentice has several advantages. As an apprentice you will generally be paid for the time that you work and you will quickly get a lot of real world experience and very quickly learn what the the day-to-day life of a working locksmith entails.
Locksmith DVDs, Instructional Videos and Books: Some locksmiths actually get their start by working with locks and security systems more as a hobby than a career choice. Picking up one of the many different instructional locksmith DVDs or locksmith books can be an inexpensive way get some basic locksmith training and decide if you enjoy the field enough to enter it full-time and to pursue more formalized training.
Locksmith Training Courses
Locksmiths have a variety of job duties from re-keying locks, to grinding keys to planning and installing complex security systems. Some of the possible courses you may take in a typical locksmith training program:
- Lock and Key Operation
- Welding
- Electronic Security Systems
- Deadbolt Installation
- Creating Master Keys
- Basic Lockpicking
- Auto Lock Basics
Most professional locksmiths use more than one of the training methods above to get their locksmith certification, obtain a locksmith license or to keep informed about new security systems and practices. Once you become a locksmith you’ll want to continue to update your skills with further classes and training in the latest security technology and lock installation and disarming techniques.
Locksmith Certification and Locksmith Licenses
Depending upon where you live you may need to obtain a local or state locksmith license in order to run your locksmith business or work in a company using your new skills. There are also a number of certification and specialty programs you can take if you want to specialize in one type of lock or security system or if you wish to be recognized as an expert in your field. Salaries generally rise and you will generally have more business opportunities available to you as you obtain more certifications.
