Page 1 of 120
NC Locksmith Licensing Exam Questions with Correct
Answers and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST
RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – NC Locksmith Licensing Exam
The North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Exam tests knowledge of NC General Statute Chapter 74F
(Locksmith Licensing Act) , NC Administrative Code Title 21 Chapter 29 , and the practical skills of the
trade. Key topics include:
• Regulatory Requirements :
o Licenses required for any person performing locksmith services for compensation.
o Violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor (first offense) and Class I felony (subsequent
offenses).
o Apprenticeship is available (max 3 years) under supervision of a licensed locksmith.
o Renewal is required annually with continuing education .
• Board Composition & Powers (NCLB) :
o 9 members (3 public, 6 locksmiths) with staggered 3-year terms.
o Appointed by the General Assembly and the Governor.
o Powers include: examinations, background checks (SBI), subpoenas, disciplinary actions.
• Application & Qualifications :
o Age 18, good moral character, criminal history check (Category I felonies disqualify) .
o Application requirements : two recent photos, fingerprints, fees, exam registration,
legal residency docs, DD-214 (if applicable).
• Ethics & Fair Business Practices (21 NCAC 29 .0502) :
o Prohibitions: Misrepresenting "Do Not Duplicate" keys as secure, defacing property with
stickers, false solicitation, using confusingly similar business names.
o Hardware Lock-in: Cannot install hardware that locks the customer into a specific
service provider without express written consent.
• Technical Knowledge (Locksmithing) :
o Key Bitting : The actual cuts/dimensions of a key.
o Spacing vs Root Depth.
o Shear Line: The critical alignment point in pin tumbler locks.
o Master Key Systems: Hierarchies (Grand Master, Master, Change Key) .
o Lock Types: Mortise (latch bolt vs deadbolt), Warded (obstructions), Wafer/Sidebar
(automotive) .
o Automotive: Transponder systems (VATS), Lishi decoders, Air Wedge and Long-Reach
tools .
o Safe Work: Wheel packs, dialing sequences, bolt lubrication.
1. A person without a license attempts to rekey a lock for a neighbor in exchange for $50 cash.
According to NC General Statute 74F-3, what is the classification of this first offense?
A) Class 3 Misdemeanor
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B) Class 1 Misdemeanor
C) Class I Felony
D) Infraction
*Answer: B — A violation of § 74F-3 is a Class 1 misdemeanor for the first offense .*
2. If a licensed locksmith fails to renew their annual license and continues working, the potential penalty
for this subsequent offense escalates to what level?
A) Class 2 Misdemeanor
B) Class H Felony
C) Class I Felony
D) Class 1 Misdemeanor
Answer: C — A second or subsequent offense under the Locksmith Licensing Act is a Class I felony .
3. An applicant for a NC locksmith license has a prior felony conviction in their background check. What
is the likely status of their application under the Administrative Code rules?
A) Automatically approved after 5 years
B) Disqualified under Category I background checks
, Page 3 of 120
C) Eligible if they pay a higher fee
D) Only disqualified if the felony involved theft
Answer: B — Category I includes felony convictions, which are grounds for denial of a locksmith license
under NC law .
4. According to 21 NCAC 29 .0401, when submitting an application for licensure, what specific facial
imagery must accompany the forms?
A) A notarized drawing of the applicant
B) Two frontal photos of the applicant's face taken within the preceding three months
C) A digital scan of a driver's license photo
D) A full-body photograph
Answer: B — The application requires two frontal photos of the applicant's face, taken within the
preceding three months .
5. A locksmith is called to a business that stores medical records. When providing services to this type of
facility, what specific requirement applies to the technician under G.S. 74F-3?
A) They must wear a body camera
, Page 4 of 120
B) They must have a higher level of liability insurance
C) They must be licensed under the provisions of Chapter 74F
D) They must be accompanied by a police officer
Answer: C — Every person providing locksmith services to facilities containing medical records must be
licensed .
6. The "bitting" of a key in locksmith terminology refers specifically to which aspect of the key's physical
characteristics?
A) The length of the key blade
B) The actual cut depths or combination of the key
C) The type of keyway profile
D) The material composition of the key
Answer: B — Bitting represents the dimensions/actual cuts or combination of a key .
7. Which component in a standard pin tumbler cylinder is responsible for housing the top pins and
springs, often referred to as the "cap" of the cylinder?
A) The plug
NC Locksmith Licensing Exam Questions with Correct
Answers and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST
RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – NC Locksmith Licensing Exam
The North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Exam tests knowledge of NC General Statute Chapter 74F
(Locksmith Licensing Act) , NC Administrative Code Title 21 Chapter 29 , and the practical skills of the
trade. Key topics include:
• Regulatory Requirements :
o Licenses required for any person performing locksmith services for compensation.
o Violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor (first offense) and Class I felony (subsequent
offenses).
o Apprenticeship is available (max 3 years) under supervision of a licensed locksmith.
o Renewal is required annually with continuing education .
• Board Composition & Powers (NCLB) :
o 9 members (3 public, 6 locksmiths) with staggered 3-year terms.
o Appointed by the General Assembly and the Governor.
o Powers include: examinations, background checks (SBI), subpoenas, disciplinary actions.
• Application & Qualifications :
o Age 18, good moral character, criminal history check (Category I felonies disqualify) .
o Application requirements : two recent photos, fingerprints, fees, exam registration,
legal residency docs, DD-214 (if applicable).
• Ethics & Fair Business Practices (21 NCAC 29 .0502) :
o Prohibitions: Misrepresenting "Do Not Duplicate" keys as secure, defacing property with
stickers, false solicitation, using confusingly similar business names.
o Hardware Lock-in: Cannot install hardware that locks the customer into a specific
service provider without express written consent.
• Technical Knowledge (Locksmithing) :
o Key Bitting : The actual cuts/dimensions of a key.
o Spacing vs Root Depth.
o Shear Line: The critical alignment point in pin tumbler locks.
o Master Key Systems: Hierarchies (Grand Master, Master, Change Key) .
o Lock Types: Mortise (latch bolt vs deadbolt), Warded (obstructions), Wafer/Sidebar
(automotive) .
o Automotive: Transponder systems (VATS), Lishi decoders, Air Wedge and Long-Reach
tools .
o Safe Work: Wheel packs, dialing sequences, bolt lubrication.
1. A person without a license attempts to rekey a lock for a neighbor in exchange for $50 cash.
According to NC General Statute 74F-3, what is the classification of this first offense?
A) Class 3 Misdemeanor
, Page 2 of 120
B) Class 1 Misdemeanor
C) Class I Felony
D) Infraction
*Answer: B — A violation of § 74F-3 is a Class 1 misdemeanor for the first offense .*
2. If a licensed locksmith fails to renew their annual license and continues working, the potential penalty
for this subsequent offense escalates to what level?
A) Class 2 Misdemeanor
B) Class H Felony
C) Class I Felony
D) Class 1 Misdemeanor
Answer: C — A second or subsequent offense under the Locksmith Licensing Act is a Class I felony .
3. An applicant for a NC locksmith license has a prior felony conviction in their background check. What
is the likely status of their application under the Administrative Code rules?
A) Automatically approved after 5 years
B) Disqualified under Category I background checks
, Page 3 of 120
C) Eligible if they pay a higher fee
D) Only disqualified if the felony involved theft
Answer: B — Category I includes felony convictions, which are grounds for denial of a locksmith license
under NC law .
4. According to 21 NCAC 29 .0401, when submitting an application for licensure, what specific facial
imagery must accompany the forms?
A) A notarized drawing of the applicant
B) Two frontal photos of the applicant's face taken within the preceding three months
C) A digital scan of a driver's license photo
D) A full-body photograph
Answer: B — The application requires two frontal photos of the applicant's face, taken within the
preceding three months .
5. A locksmith is called to a business that stores medical records. When providing services to this type of
facility, what specific requirement applies to the technician under G.S. 74F-3?
A) They must wear a body camera
, Page 4 of 120
B) They must have a higher level of liability insurance
C) They must be licensed under the provisions of Chapter 74F
D) They must be accompanied by a police officer
Answer: C — Every person providing locksmith services to facilities containing medical records must be
licensed .
6. The "bitting" of a key in locksmith terminology refers specifically to which aspect of the key's physical
characteristics?
A) The length of the key blade
B) The actual cut depths or combination of the key
C) The type of keyway profile
D) The material composition of the key
Answer: B — Bitting represents the dimensions/actual cuts or combination of a key .
7. Which component in a standard pin tumbler cylinder is responsible for housing the top pins and
springs, often referred to as the "cap" of the cylinder?
A) The plug
