How to Earn Your Brown Belt in Lockpicking

The Brown Belt is the seventh rank in the Lock Pickers United system. To earn it you must demonstrate advanced single pin picking skill, gut locks on camera, and complete required non picking work as defined by the official belt wiki. See the canonical source here: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/wiki/beltranking/

Picking Requirements

• SPP (single pin pick) and gut two different locks ranked as Brown Belt or above (locks have to be from separate entries in the list).

Non-Picking Requirements

• Complete one of the following:
  • Complete a Project/Quest at Tier 1 level or above. Click here for Project types and requirements details.
  • Pick two additional locks ranked at Brown Belt or above. (All four locks have to be from separate entries in the list.)
• All previous non-picking requirements must have been fulfilled:
  • Demonstrated your ability to gut locks and get them back together again. (Green Belt Requirement)
  • Demonstrated history of helping new pickers, either on the sub and/or in the Discord channel. (Blue Belt Requirement)
  • Built a "Challenge Lock" or completed similar project. (Blue Belt Requirement)

Evidence Format

• Pick and gut in a continuous video take without cuts, keeping the lock and components in frame. Your video should include a clear close-up of the pins from the lock.

Step 1 Film your proof video
What to film

1. Pick and gut two different locks that are each ranked as Brown Belt or above. The two locks must be from separate entries in the Brown list.
2. Each pick and gut must be performed by single pin picking SPP.
3. Record the pick and gut in a continuous wide format YouTube take. Do not edit or cut the pick or gut sequences.
4. Keep the lock, components, and your hands in frame for the entire sequence. Include a clear close up of the pin stacks inside the lock after gutting.
5. Show the locked state at the start and the final open with the plug turned at the end.
6. State or display your Reddit username and that this is a Brown Belt application in the video.
7. Upload the unedited wide format video to YouTube and set it Public or Unlisted. Optional tag @lockpickpros on youtube.

Step 2 Make a public Reddit post on r/lockpicking

Go to: https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/
Post Title Example: Brown Belt Application – [Lock A] + [Lock B] – u/YourRedditName
Post Content Template: Hello everyone,
This is my application for the Brown Belt.
Lock models: [Lock A model] and [Lock B model]
Picking method: SPP for both Guts included: Yes (timestamps: mm:ss and mm:ss)
Tools used: [List tools used]
I confirm this is my own unedited footage and no bypass methods were used.
Thank you,
u/YourRedditName

Step 3 Send modmail with link to your post

Go here: https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/lockpicking
Subject Example: Brown Belt Application – u/YourRedditName
Modmail Message Template:

Hello moderators,
I have posted my Brown Belt application on r/lockpicking. Please review.
Link to my Reddit post: [paste full URL here]
Direct video link: [paste YouTube URL here]
Lock models: [Lock A / Lock B]
Picking method: SPP / SPP Gutting: Yes (timestamps mm:ss and mm:ss)
Tools used: [List tools used]
Non picking requirement: [Project or extra picks description if used]
I confirm this is my own unedited footage and no bypass methods were used.
Thank you,
u/YourRedditName

Tools recommendation
At Brown level use your highest quality tooling such as Lockpick Pros Carbon Fiber Special Gen 2 with the Expansion Kit for narrow profiles and precise hooks. List your exact tools in your post and modmail.

Social Bonus Rules

When your posts must be made:
Only social media posts created after the date that each belt is officially awarded on r/lockpicking will count toward the bonus. Older posts you made before your belt promotion are not eligible.

What qualifies: Posts must clearly tag @lockpick.pros (fb/ig/tiktok) @lockpick_pros (twitter/x) or @lockpickpros (youtube)  in the caption, description, or video text. Posts must remain public and accessible. Platforms that count: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (Twitter).

How to earn bonuses:

• Bonus Tier 1
  At least 3 public posts tagging appropriate lockpick pros socials on that platform with Combined 5,000+ views within 30 days
  → Reward: free upgrade pick or accessory

• Bonus Tier 2 - Required for #blackbeltchallenge
  At least 5 public posts tagging lockpick pros socials on that specific platform
  Combined 10,000+ views within 30 days
  → Reward: two upgrade picks & black belt stage completion

Verification: Provide direct links to your posts in your reward email. View counts are based on the numbers shown on the platform at the time of review. Only posts created after your belt was awarded are eligible.

Claim Your Reward
Once your Brown Belt is awarded you may request bonus rewards by following our rewards process: https://lockpickpros.com/blogs/news/reward-submissions

Your Next Belt Awaits...

Congrats! If you earned your belt, it's only going to get more fun from here. If you are ready for your red belt, head here.