You can complete locksmith training via a correspondence program, in which you receive training materials through the mail and study them at home, with professional locksmiths and educators available by phone or mail for consultation and questions. For example, the Assured Locksmith Training program provides a 720-page manual, divided by learning modules or chapters, tools for the trade that include a set of hand files, professional lock pick and assorted key blanks, and the professionals available for questions by phone.
Associated Locksmiths of America offers a six-day basic locksmith course. The course provides students with experiential knowledge of the hardware related to locks and security. Students learn how to use basic locksmith tools, such as dial calipers, impressioning pliers and a lock pick set as well as specialty tools. Students who complete this course can move onto becoming a locksmith apprentice and will know such things as how to identify and duplicate keys, service and adjust key machines, make original keys and bypass common locks.
Several schools offer full-time educational locksmith programs on a campus. North Bennett Street School in Boston is an example of a highly intensive, accredited and well-regarded program that teaches locksmithing in a nine-month program that requires a criminal background check. The program combines classroom work comprising lectures and theory, demonstrations and hands-on bench work with fieldwork experience. Associated Locksmiths describes these programs as "residential" and lists at least 20 programs that offer on-campus training.
Some educators have locksmith educational programs offered at various sites around the country. Associated Locksmiths describes these as "traveling residential" courses, and offers its own set of courses like this, as do other organizations such as MBA USA, Inc. MBA USA, for example, offers courses in various parts of the country throughout the year for a range of expertise levels. Beginners might be interested in the 10-day Fundamentals of Locksmithing Course, offered in February and September in 2011.