Page 1 of 117
Texas Locksmith Licensing Exam QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
JUST RELEASED
Texas Locksmith Licensing Exam The questions are based on Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702
(Private Security), 37 Texas Administrative Code §35.123, HB 2243 (2005), and DPS administrative
rules.
SUMMARIZED EXAM TOPIC COVERAGE (Point Form)
• License Requirements (Occ. Code §1702.1056, §1702.2227, §1702.221) – Acting as locksmith
company or individual locksmith defined; individual locksmith must obtain proper individual
license AND be employed by a company license holder
• Company License Qualifications (37 TAC §35.123) – Two options: (1) two consecutive years
full-time locksmith experience; OR (2) 48-hour basic locksmith course + 600-hour fundamentals
course + one year experience + proficiency exam (minimum 12 subjects)
• Required Curriculum Subjects (24 areas) – Includes key blank identification, key duplication,
codes/code cutting, basic picking, rim/mortise cylinders, key-in-knob/lever locks, deadbolts,
installation, impressioning, master-keying, safe servicing, SFIC, high-security cylinders,
automotive opening & key generation, exit/panic devices, door closers, cabinet/drawer locks,
safe moving, single-door access control
• Customer Authorization (Occ. Code §1702.2865) – Before gaining entry for customer, must
obtain government-issued ID AND signed authorization stating ownership/legal access;
exemption for imminent threat to person/property
• Exemptions (Occ. Code §1702.324) – Hotels; manufacturers/distributors selling equipment;
employees on own/employer property; retailers selling locks without servicing or calling
themselves locksmiths
• Licensing Authority – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Texas Private Security Board
(PSB) regulate locksmiths under Private Security Act
• Prohibited Acts – Practicing without license; using unlicensed employees; failing to obtain
customer authorization; claiming to be locksmith without license
1. A technician has been working as a locksmith apprentice for 18 months. To qualify for an individual
locksmith license under Texas rules, what must this technician do to meet the minimum requirements?
A) Apply immediately because 18 months meets the experience requirement
B) Complete an additional 6 months of full-time locksmith experience to reach the required 2 years
C) Take a 6-hour online course instead of completing more experience
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D) Become a licensed private investigator first
Answer: B – One qualification option requires two consecutive years of full-time locksmith-related
experience; 18 months does not satisfy this .
2. A new employee is hired by a licensed locksmith company in Texas. What must this individual obtain
before performing locksmith services independently?
A) A business license from the city
B) An individual locksmith license and be employed by a company license holder
C) Only a high school diploma
D) A private security manager registration
Answer: B – Texas Occupations Code §1702.221 requires that an individual performing locksmith
activities obtain the proper individual license and be employed by a company license holder .
3. An applicant chooses the education route for locksmith licensure. What are the two specific DPS-
approved courses this applicant must complete?
A) A 12-hour safety course and a 200-hour business management course
B) A 48-hour basic locksmith course and a 600-hour fundamentals of locksmith course
C) A 20-hour key duplication course and a 40-hour safe servicing course
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D) A 100-hour automotive locksmith course and a 50-hour access control course
Answer: B – Qualification option two (37 TAC §35.123(2)(A)) requires successful completion of a DPS-
approved 48-hour basic locksmith course and a 600-hour fundamentals of locksmith course .
4. Before using a key duplicating machine on a customer’s original key, what is the first critical step a
locksmith must take to ensure accuracy?
A) Lubricate the key with oil
B) Identify the correct key blank by manufacturer, section, and profile
C) Grind down the original key to match a blank
D) Clean the key with solvent
Answer: B – Key blank identification is a required curriculum subject; using the wrong blank wastes
material and may damage the machine .
5. A building owner requests that a locksmith replace several door closers on heavy commercial doors.
What curriculum topic covers this type of work?
A) Safe installation and moving
B) Exit and panic devices only
C) Door closer servicing, replacement, and installation
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D) High security cylinder pinning
Answer: C – Door closer servicing is specifically listed as a required subject area in 37 TAC
§35.123(2)(A)(xxi) .
6. A locksmith is cutting a key by code using a machine that reads the key’s bitting code and cuts the key
blank accordingly. What type of key cutting procedure is this called?
A) Impressioning
B) Code cutting
C) Key duplication by tracing
D) Master-key progression cutting
Answer: B – Codes and code cutting is a specific subject in the curriculum; code cutting uses the key's
bitting code rather than tracing an existing key .
7. A customer is locked out of their car, and the locksmith uses a long-reach tool to manipulate the
inside door handle. What specialized automotive service is being performed?
A) Key impressioning
B) Automotive opening (lockout service)
C) Safe manipulation
Texas Locksmith Licensing Exam QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
JUST RELEASED
Texas Locksmith Licensing Exam The questions are based on Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702
(Private Security), 37 Texas Administrative Code §35.123, HB 2243 (2005), and DPS administrative
rules.
SUMMARIZED EXAM TOPIC COVERAGE (Point Form)
• License Requirements (Occ. Code §1702.1056, §1702.2227, §1702.221) – Acting as locksmith
company or individual locksmith defined; individual locksmith must obtain proper individual
license AND be employed by a company license holder
• Company License Qualifications (37 TAC §35.123) – Two options: (1) two consecutive years
full-time locksmith experience; OR (2) 48-hour basic locksmith course + 600-hour fundamentals
course + one year experience + proficiency exam (minimum 12 subjects)
• Required Curriculum Subjects (24 areas) – Includes key blank identification, key duplication,
codes/code cutting, basic picking, rim/mortise cylinders, key-in-knob/lever locks, deadbolts,
installation, impressioning, master-keying, safe servicing, SFIC, high-security cylinders,
automotive opening & key generation, exit/panic devices, door closers, cabinet/drawer locks,
safe moving, single-door access control
• Customer Authorization (Occ. Code §1702.2865) – Before gaining entry for customer, must
obtain government-issued ID AND signed authorization stating ownership/legal access;
exemption for imminent threat to person/property
• Exemptions (Occ. Code §1702.324) – Hotels; manufacturers/distributors selling equipment;
employees on own/employer property; retailers selling locks without servicing or calling
themselves locksmiths
• Licensing Authority – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Texas Private Security Board
(PSB) regulate locksmiths under Private Security Act
• Prohibited Acts – Practicing without license; using unlicensed employees; failing to obtain
customer authorization; claiming to be locksmith without license
1. A technician has been working as a locksmith apprentice for 18 months. To qualify for an individual
locksmith license under Texas rules, what must this technician do to meet the minimum requirements?
A) Apply immediately because 18 months meets the experience requirement
B) Complete an additional 6 months of full-time locksmith experience to reach the required 2 years
C) Take a 6-hour online course instead of completing more experience
, Page 2 of 117
D) Become a licensed private investigator first
Answer: B – One qualification option requires two consecutive years of full-time locksmith-related
experience; 18 months does not satisfy this .
2. A new employee is hired by a licensed locksmith company in Texas. What must this individual obtain
before performing locksmith services independently?
A) A business license from the city
B) An individual locksmith license and be employed by a company license holder
C) Only a high school diploma
D) A private security manager registration
Answer: B – Texas Occupations Code §1702.221 requires that an individual performing locksmith
activities obtain the proper individual license and be employed by a company license holder .
3. An applicant chooses the education route for locksmith licensure. What are the two specific DPS-
approved courses this applicant must complete?
A) A 12-hour safety course and a 200-hour business management course
B) A 48-hour basic locksmith course and a 600-hour fundamentals of locksmith course
C) A 20-hour key duplication course and a 40-hour safe servicing course
, Page 3 of 117
D) A 100-hour automotive locksmith course and a 50-hour access control course
Answer: B – Qualification option two (37 TAC §35.123(2)(A)) requires successful completion of a DPS-
approved 48-hour basic locksmith course and a 600-hour fundamentals of locksmith course .
4. Before using a key duplicating machine on a customer’s original key, what is the first critical step a
locksmith must take to ensure accuracy?
A) Lubricate the key with oil
B) Identify the correct key blank by manufacturer, section, and profile
C) Grind down the original key to match a blank
D) Clean the key with solvent
Answer: B – Key blank identification is a required curriculum subject; using the wrong blank wastes
material and may damage the machine .
5. A building owner requests that a locksmith replace several door closers on heavy commercial doors.
What curriculum topic covers this type of work?
A) Safe installation and moving
B) Exit and panic devices only
C) Door closer servicing, replacement, and installation
, Page 4 of 117
D) High security cylinder pinning
Answer: C – Door closer servicing is specifically listed as a required subject area in 37 TAC
§35.123(2)(A)(xxi) .
6. A locksmith is cutting a key by code using a machine that reads the key’s bitting code and cuts the key
blank accordingly. What type of key cutting procedure is this called?
A) Impressioning
B) Code cutting
C) Key duplication by tracing
D) Master-key progression cutting
Answer: B – Codes and code cutting is a specific subject in the curriculum; code cutting uses the key's
bitting code rather than tracing an existing key .
7. A customer is locked out of their car, and the locksmith uses a long-reach tool to manipulate the
inside door handle. What specialized automotive service is being performed?
A) Key impressioning
B) Automotive opening (lockout service)
C) Safe manipulation
