Online Schools for Becoming a Locksmith: How to Choose

For those wishing to acquire the skills to become a locksmith, a variety of online schools offer short training programs. No pre-requisites are required, and upon completion students have the knowledge to work as locksmiths in retail settings or at security companies.

How to Select an Online Locksmith School

Program Types

Vocational schools, small colleges and community colleges offer online training programs to become a locksmith. Because of the hands-on nature of the profession, courses may be of the hybrid type. This means that part of the schooling takes place in the classroom, and the other part takes place online. There are also online training schools to become a locksmith, although they may not be accredited. Students may take courses on their own schedule while they continue working. Courses are self-directed and students can work at their own pace. Student services are often available online and by phone and e-mail.

Additional Equipment

Before signing up with a school, students should determine whether the school provides necessary tool for making keys, installing and dissembling locks, and performing other standard locksmithing tasks. Some schools provide a broad range of tools and equipment to learn on. Some programs award students a key-making machine valued at over $400 upon graduation. Some programs may provide books, lessons and learning aids; others require students to purchase supplies separately.

Career Objectives

Students who complete education programs can find jobs in locksmith shops, security companies or hardware stores, or can open their own business. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were just 26,000 locksmiths in the United States as of 2007 (www.bls.gov).

List of Online Locksmith Programs

Online Community College Locksmith Program

These programs combine hands-on teaching with online lectures. The program consists of a series of courses that prepare students to run a professional locksmith business. It teaches dissembling of locks and key duplication.

Online Locksmith Vocational Schools

Online career schools offer hotlines for instructional support. They also offer convenient student ID numbers by which to access courses of online study. Courses cover all major locksmithing tasks.

Online Small College Locksmith Schools

Online programs at small colleges may offer optional hands-on projects to go along with their online course of study. The course covers constructing and dissembling all types of locks, creating keys and installing locks.