ALOA CPS study plan
ALOA CPS · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Locksmithing Fundamentals and Mechanical Locks & Automotive Locksmithing and Key Generation
Map the cylinder, pin-tumbler, wafer, and lever lock families and label the internal components of each from memory
Explain shear-line mechanics, tolerances, and the effect of pin stack variations on keying
Define foundational terminology (plug, bible, driver, master wafer, keyway, MACS) in your own words
Set up a spaced-repetition deck seeded with 60 fundamentals terms and review it daily
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn component diagram set for four lock families, self-graded to 90% accuracy
Automotive Locksmithing and Key Generation & Locksmithing Fundamentals and Mechanical Locks
Trace the automotive key-generation workflow from door lock code to ignition cylinder, listing each decision point
Compare lock code sources and explain how to validate a decoded code before cutting
Describe key blank identification by shoulder, tip, groove, and transponder type
Practice reading key bitting depths and translate three sample bitting strings into cut sequences
Your checkpoint
A written 12-step automotive key-generation procedure with a validation checkpoint at each stage
Automotive Locksmithing and Key Generation
Distinguish transponder, remote-head, smart-key, and proximity systems by function and programming path
Outline immobilizer system behavior and the order of operations for adding versus all-keys-lost scenarios
Explain the risks of improper programming and the customer-authorization steps that mitigate them
Build a comparison table of at least six vehicle system types with programming prerequisites
Your checkpoint
A six-row vehicle system comparison table with prerequisites and failure modes, reviewed for accuracy
Safes, Vaults, and High-Security Containers & Locksmithing Fundamentals and Mechanical Locks
Classify safe and vault types by construction, rating standard, and intended threat model
Describe relocker, boltwork, and barrier materials and how each resists attack
Explain combination lock operation, changing procedures, and common group/change-key concepts
Summarize the ethical and legal boundaries of safe opening and when to escalate
Your checkpoint
A one-page safe-construction and rating reference sheet, plus a 10-question self-quiz scored at 80% or better
Safes, Vaults, and High-Security Containers & Automotive Locksmithing and Key Generation
Sequence a non-destructive safe-opening diagnostic from information gathering to manipulation or drilling decision
Identify when destructive entry is justified and document the authorization trail
Describe servicing, relubrication, and combination-change procedures with verification steps
Connect automotive high-security key control concepts to container security principles
Your checkpoint
A decision-tree flowchart for safe opening that includes an explicit authorization gate
Professional Practice, Ethics, and Business Operations & Locksmithing Fundamentals and Mechanical Locks
Draft a code of conduct summary covering confidentiality, scope of competence, and conflict of interest
Explain lien, abandoned-property, and proof-of-ownership considerations in service work
Build a pricing model that separates labor, parts, trip, and emergency charges
List recordkeeping and liability practices for key duplication and vehicle work
Your checkpoint
A one-page professional practice checklist covering authorization, documentation, and pricing
Locksmithing Fundamentals and Mechanical Locks & Automotive Locksmithing and Key Generation & Safes, Vaults, and High-Security Containers & Professional Practice, Ethics, and Business Operations
Integrate all four domains by working through 40 mixed practice scenarios and tagging each by domain
Identify your three weakest subtopics from practice results and re-study each with targeted notes
Rehearse explaining a technical procedure to a non-technical customer in under two minutes
Review every missed item and write the corrected reasoning for each
Your checkpoint
A weak-area remediation log with corrected reasoning for every missed practice item
Locksmithing Fundamentals and Mechanical Locks & Automotive Locksmithing and Key Generation & Safes, Vaults, and High-Security Containers & Professional Practice, Ethics, and Business Operations
Take two full-length timed practice exams and record domain-level scores for each
Re-drill only the subtopics still below 75% until each reaches 80% or better on a re-check
Recite key facts from your reference sheets without notes
Finalize exam-day logistics, timing strategy, and a review plan for the last 48 hours
Your checkpoint
A final scorecard showing domain-level results from both practice exams with a pass/fail margin analysis
Milestones
Week 2: Can diagram four lock families and explain the full automotive key-generation workflow from memory without notes
Week 4: Scores 80% or better on a self-made 20-question quiz spanning domains 1, 2, and 3
Week 6: Has a complete professional practice checklist and can state the authorization gate for safe and vehicle work
Week 8: Both full-length practice exams show every domain at 80% or better, with no subtopic below 75%