ALOA Institutional Certified Registered Locksmith (ICRL)

Which ALOA division administers the ICRL certification for in-house locksmiths working in schools, hospitals, and government facilities?

• AALOA Institutional Locksmiths (AIL) division
• BALOA Safe & Vault Technicians Association (SAVTA)
• CALOA Automotive Specialists Bureau
• DALOA Investigative Council

What minimum score must a candidate achieve on each PRP category and each elective to pass the ICRL?

• A70%
• B60%
• C75%
• D80%

In ALOA standardized lock terminology, what is the shear line?

• AThe horizontal gap between the plug and the housing where pins must align
• BThe vertical edge of the keyway profile
• CThe seam between the cylinder face and the cam
• DThe boundary between the bow and the blade of a key

On a standard pin tumbler cylinder, which pin sits directly on top of the bottom pin and is normally the same diameter?

• ADriver pin
• BMaster pin
• CSpool pin
• DMushroom pin

Which tool is used to load top pins and springs into a cylinder during reassembly?

• AFollower
• BPlug spinner
• CTension wrench
• DCam holder

What is the primary purpose of a key code in the PRP Key Identification category?

• AIt encodes the bitting depths and spaces needed to originate a key
• BIt identifies the brand of key blank only
• CIt is a serial number printed on every house key
• DIt indicates the warranty period for the lockset

Which key duplication method copies a key by tracing the original cuts on a side-by-side machine?

• APattern duplication
• BCode cutting
• CImpressioning
• DDecoding

Which ANSI lockset function description matches a Storeroom function (ANSI F86)?

• AOutside lever always locked; key retracts latch; inside lever always free
• BOutside lever always free; inside lever always free
• COutside lever locked or unlocked by key; inside lever always free
• DInside thumbturn locks both levers

In the PRP Electricity & Electronics category, what does a fail-safe electric strike do during a power loss?

• AUnlocks to allow egress
• BRemains locked to maintain security
• CSounds an alarm only
• DLocks the latch in place mechanically

Which voltage is most commonly supplied to a typical commercial electric strike or maglock?

• A12 or 24 VDC
• B120 VAC
• C240 VAC
• D5 VDC USB

Which professional lock opening technique uses a thin metal pick to apply slight rotational tension while manipulating pins to the shear line?

• ASingle-pin picking
• BBumping
• CDrilling
• DDecoding by reading

When servicing a Group 2 mechanical combination safe lock, how many wheels are typically in the wheel pack?

• AThree
• BTwo
• CFour
• DSix

When changing a combination on a hand-change combination safe lock, the locksmith should always test the new combination on which side of the door?

• AWith the door open and the bolt extended manually multiple times
• BAfter the door is closed and the bolt thrown
• COnly with the safe owner present
• DOnly after recording the combination in the customer file

In master keying terminology, what does the abbreviation TMK stand for?

• ATop Master Key
• BTested Master Key
• CTwo-level Master Key
• DTotal Maintenance Key

Which document is the standardized format ALOA uses to design and record a master key system, listing key symbols, bittings, and chamber-by-chamber pinning?

• AMaster key system chart (bitting array and progression)
• BKey signature affidavit
• CProperty management roster
• DPin kit invoice

Which agency publishes the model code most often referenced for life safety in egress and means-of-escape requirements?

• ANational Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• BUnderwriters Laboratories (UL)
• CAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• DBuilders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA)

Which BHMA standard governs auxiliary deadlocks (deadbolts) installed in commercial openings?

• AANSI/BHMA A156.5
• BANSI/BHMA A156.13
• CANSI/BHMA A156.3
• DANSI/BHMA A156.18

What is the function of an interchangeable core (IC) cylinder system in an institutional facility?

• AIt allows rapid rekeying by swapping cores with a control key, without removing the locks…
• BIt eliminates the need for master keying entirely
• CIt electrifies a mechanical cylinder
• DIt replaces the bolt mechanism on a deadbolt

What is impressioning in the PRP context, and why is it useful for institutional locksmiths?

• AGenerating a working key by marking and filing a blank inserted under tension in the lock
• BPressing a wax mold of the lock face
• CPhotographing the keyway with a borescope
• DDrilling through the cylinder to read the pins

Which keyway interchange concept lets a single lock cylinder accept multiple keyways within a manufacturer's family?

• AMultiplex keying (multi-keyway sectional)
• BCross-keying
• CMaison keying
• DReverse pinning

In ALOA standardized terminology, which term describes the difference in cut depth from a fully unbroken blade to the deepest cut?

• ARoot depth
• BSpacing
• CBow thickness
• DStop

Which mortise lockset component contains the latch, deadbolt, and lever hubs inside the door edge?

• ALock case
• BStrike plate
• CTrim escutcheon
• DBackset shim

Which ANSI lockset function is required for a public restroom that must lock from the inside while remaining accessible by an outside emergency tool?

• APrivacy function (F76) with emergency release
• BStoreroom function (F86)
• CClassroom function (F84)
• DPassage function (F75)

A request-to-exit (REX) device in an access-control system primarily does which of the following?

• ASignals the controller to release the door when an occupant exits, suppressing forced-doo…
• BUnlocks the door from the secure side using a key only
• CRecords every entry attempt to the cloud
• DEngages a delayed egress timer

When picking a high-security cylinder with spool driver pins, why does the plug rotate slightly when a spool pin reaches a false set?

• AThe hourglass profile of the spool catches at the shear line and tricks the picker into t…
• BThe spring breaks momentarily under tension
• CThe bottom pin physically shortens
• DThe cylinder cam disengages

What is the safest first non-destructive entry attempt on a locked commercial mortise office door with no occupants inside?

• ATry known master or change keys, then attempt picking before considering destructive entry
• BDrill the cylinder immediately
• CCut through the door jamb
• DRemove the door hinges from the secure side

When pinning a master keyed cylinder, what is the role of a master pin?

• AIt creates an additional shear line so two or more keys of different bittings can operate…
• BIt increases pick resistance only
• CIt replaces the spring in master systems
• DIt anchors the plug to the housing

If a six-pin master key system has two depths per chamber, what is the theoretical maximum number of change keys (ignoring MACS and other rules)?

• A2 to the 6th power, which equals 64
• B12
• C36
• D2 multiplied by 6, which equals 12

What is the most likely cause if a freshly rekeyed cylinder will not rotate even though the correct cuts are on the new key?

• APin lengths summed wrong for the chambers, so a pin stack does not break at the shear line
• BThe keyway is too wide for the blank
• CThe cylinder spring is stronger than expected
• DThe plug has rotated past 180 degrees

Which UL listing identifies a Group 2M (manipulation-resistant) combination lock for safes?

• AUL 768
• BUL 437
• CUL 1037
• DUL 294

Which NFPA 101 chapter establishes the general means-of-egress requirements that apply to all occupancies?

• AChapter 7, Means of Egress
• BChapter 12, Assembly Occupancies
• CChapter 14, New Educational Occupancies
• DChapter 18, New Health Care Occupancies

Per NFPA 101, what are the three parts that make up a complete means of egress?

• AExit access, exit, and exit discharge
• BEntrance, vestibule, and exit
• CCorridor, lobby, and parking
• DStairwell, elevator, and ramp

NFPA 101 generally requires how many releasing operations to open a door in the path of egress?

• AOne releasing operation, with limited exceptions
• BUp to three operations
• CTwo operations are always acceptable
• DUnlimited as long as they are intuitive

Where panic hardware is required by NFPA 101, what type of hardware must be installed on the egress side of the door?

• AListed panic hardware (or fire exit hardware on fire-rated doors)
• BStandard knob with a thumbturn
• CMortise lock with passage function
• DKey-operated deadbolt only

What is the maximum allowable force required to operate the latch-releasing hardware on a non-fire-rated egress door per NFPA 101?

• A15 pounds (67 N)
• B5 pounds (22 N)
• C30 pounds (133 N)
• D50 pounds (220 N)

Per NFPA 101, what is the maximum permitted height of an egress door lock or latch mechanism above the floor?

• A48 inches (1220 mm), generally
• B60 inches (1525 mm)
• C36 inches (915 mm)
• D72 inches (1830 mm)

An access-controlled egress door under NFPA 101 must release the lock upon which of the following conditions?

• ALoss of power to the lock, loss of power to the access control, fire alarm activation, an…
• BOnly on fire alarm activation
• COnly when the access controller is rebooted
• DOnly when a key is presented to the cylinder

Delayed egress locking under NFPA 101 may be used in certain occupancies subject to several conditions. What is the standard maximum delay before the door unlocks?

• A15 seconds, with up to 30 seconds allowed only where the authority having jurisdiction ap…
• B5 seconds always
• C60 seconds always
• D120 seconds always

Delayed egress under NFPA 101 generally requires the door to unlock automatically on which of the following?

• AActivation of the fire alarm, loss of power to the lock, and after the timed delay expires
• BOnly after a security override
• COnly when the building manager keys the lock
• DOnly when an occupant pushes a separate manual release

NFPA 80 is the Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives. What maximum clearance is allowed under the bottom of a fire-rated swinging door above a non-combustible floor?

• A3/4 inch (19 mm)
• B3/8 inch (10 mm)
• C1 inch (25 mm)
• D1/2 inch (13 mm)

Which of the following is required on a fire-rated door per NFPA 80?

• ASelf-closing or automatic-closing device and positive latching
• BManual hold-open with a wedge
• CA passage function lock so the door never latches
• DRemoval of all door coordinators

How often must fire door assemblies be inspected and tested per NFPA 80 in commercial occupancies?

• AAnnually, with documentation maintained for review
• BEvery 5 years
• COnly when hardware is replaced
• DEvery 10 years

A school classroom door under modern NFPA 101 and IBC guidance must be lockable from which side, and must occupants be able to do what?

• ALockable from inside the classroom, and occupants must be able to unlock and exit without…
• BLockable from the corridor only, with no inside operation
• CPermanently locked from both sides
• DLocked only by a school resource officer's master key

Which device is generally PROHIBITED for retrofitting on a school classroom door as a primary lockdown device under NFPA 101?

• AA barricade device that requires a second separate operation or special knowledge to rele…
• BA listed classroom security lock with a single-operation egress
• CAn electrified mortise lock with key-bypass on the corridor side
• DAn intruder-function lock operated by the inside thumbturn

Under NFPA 101 Chapter 7, doors in the path of egress generally must swing in which direction relative to occupant load?

• AIn the direction of egress when serving an occupant load of 50 or more, or any hazardous…
• BAlways away from the corridor
• CAlways toward the corridor
• DDirection does not matter as long as the door latches

On a means-of-egress door, an electric lock used with a credential reader (such as an electromagnetic lock with sensor release) under NFPA 101 must release when which of the following occurs?

• AA sensor on the egress side detects an occupant, the fire alarm activates, or power is lo…
• BOnly when the security guard manually presses a button
• COnly when the door receives a valid credential
• DOnly after a 30-second delay

When upgrading hardware on an existing fire-rated door, which agency mark or label on the hardware verifies fire rating compliance?

• AA listing label from a recognized testing laboratory such as UL or Intertek
• BA manufacturer's marketing sticker
• CA hand-stamped serial number
• DA locksmith's tool mark

Per NFPA 101, dead bolts and other locks operated by a thumbturn must be operable from the egress side without:

• AA key, tool, or special knowledge
• BWearing gloves
• CPressing the lever
• DUsing the right hand