The Illinois License Is the Doorway to the Industry.
Illinois is widely considered to have one of the most demanding locksmith certification exams in the country, 305 questions covering everything from pin and disc cylinders to electrical systems and life safety codes.
Major platforms restrict listings and ads for unlicensed locksmiths in Illinois. Without certification, you’re invisible to a significant share of the customers actively searching for your services.
Electronic access control, CCTV, sophisticated safes, keyless automotive entry, smart home security, the modern locksmith’s service menu keeps expanding. The license unlocks all of it.
Exam Details & Key Dates.
The Illinois Certified Locksmith exam is administered by Continental Testing and offered just twice a year, in September and March. Miss this window and the next one is six months away.
Our prep course runs the week before the exam, in Rosemont, about 15 minutes from the Hillside testing site, so you train nearby and sit for the state exam while the material is fresh.
Built on the Same Foundation as Our Other Programs.
Contractors Network and Training Center has been preparing Illinois contractors for state licensing exams since 2010, Roofing, Public Adjuster, Xactimate®, and Masonry. The Illinois Certified Locksmith program follows the same structured approach: deep, systematic coverage of the subject areas, practical training, in-class practice tests, and take-home practice exams that give serious candidates a real shot at passing.
Curriculum Overview
The course covers the full set of topics needed to answer the 305 exam questions confidently.
Your Path to Licensure.
Passing the exam is the big step. Here’s what the State of Illinois requires to complete your license through IDFPR.
Preparing Illinois Contractors to Pass Since 2010.
A structured course with deep, systematic coverage of all 12 subject areas, plus in-class practice tests and take-home practice exams, so your study time goes where it counts.
Before You Register.
Do I need a license to work as a locksmith in Illinois?
It depends on how you plan to work. To offer locksmith services independently, including opening your own business or practicing on your own, you need an individual Illinois locksmith license issued by IDFPR. You obtain it by passing the Continental Testing Locksmith Licensing Examination and completing the licensure application.
To work as an employee at an existing licensed locksmith agency, you don’t need your own individual license. You perform locksmith work under the agency’s license, but you’ll need to register with IDFPR as an employee (PERC) and complete a 20-hour Basic Training Course.
Both paths let you legally work in the trade, they just have different regulatory requirements.
I want to work as an employee for an existing locksmith shop. Is your course right for me?
If your only goal is to work as an employee at an existing licensed agency, you don’t need to pass the state licensing exam. Employees work under their employer’s agency license, with a PERC and the 20-hour Basic Training Course typically arranged through the employer.
That said, an individual locksmith license opens up meaningfully more career options, you can work at any agency, practice independently, open your own business, or move between shops without being tied to a single employer’s license. Many career locksmiths choose to get individually licensed even when starting out as an employee, because it removes the ceiling on their long-term earnings and independence.
Our course prepares you for the individual licensing exam. If you’re planning to work as an employee only, we’re not the right fit today, but we may be in the future as your career grows.
Who administers the Illinois locksmith exam?
The exam is administered by Continental Testing Services on behalf of IDFPR. It is offered twice a year, September and March, at Continental Testing’s facility in Hillside, Illinois, about 15 minutes from our Rosemont training center.
How is the exam structured?
The Illinois Locksmith Licensing Examination is a 4-hour, 305-question written exam covering 12 subject areas: cylinder servicing, key duplication and identification, key origination by code and impressioning, master keying, professional installations, lock opening techniques, life safety codes, ADA law, basic electricity for low-voltage locking systems, and more. Passing score is 70% overall.
Are there prerequisites to sit for the exam?
Yes. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, complete an IDFPR application through Continental Testing, submit fingerprints for a criminal background check within 60 days of applying for their license, and pay the required fees. There is no minimum training hour or apprenticeship requirement.
How much does it cost to register for the exam?
$50 exam fee (payable to Continental Testing) plus $174 IDFPR application fee. Both are paid at registration.
When is the next exam?
The next exam is September 9, 2026, in Hillside, Illinois. The registration deadline is August 12, 2026, this is a firm deadline and no late registrations are accepted.
How long until I receive my exam results?
Continental Testing releases results by email approximately 6 to 7 weeks after the exam. For the September 9 sitting, results are expected by mid to late October.
How long until I have my Illinois locksmith license in hand?
Realistic total timeline from exam day to license issued is 8 to 12 weeks. After passing, you’ll submit your final licensure paperwork to IDFPR, proof of $1M liability insurance, fingerprint clearance, and the licensure fee, and IDFPR then processes and issues the license.
What if I don’t pass the exam on the first try?
The exam is only offered in March and September. If you don’t pass in September, the next sitting is March 2027. You cannot re-apply until you receive your Official Result Letter (6 to 7 weeks after the exam).