A lot of people think that CIA employees lurk around in trench coats, send coded messages, and use exotic equipment like hidden cameras and secret phones to do their job. (You know, all those things you see in movies or read about in spy novels.) There’s a little of that, but that’s only part of the story.

Enroll in a college and earn a bachelor’s degree. An undergraduate degree is a minimum requirement for becoming a CIA agent. Preference is given to those candidates who also have an advanced Training to Become a Spy or Other Careers with the CIA When the candidate is hired to be a CIA agent, there is of course additional training provided by the agency. The Headquarters Based Trainee Program (HBT) is an entry-level program for careers in the National Clandestine Service (NCS) of the CIA. What You Need To Become A Spy In the United States, if you want to work for the CIA or the NSA, you have to be a U.S. citizen. Since working for a branch of the government that involves secret operations, you can expect intensive background searches on all applicants. So you need to have a clean background from an early age. CIA special agents generally work in either intelligence gathering (clandestine services) or internal investigations. All careers within the CIA require a distinct set of qualifications and characteristics, all of which must be met, as this agency demands only the most qualified and capable individuals to become CIA agents. CIA Spy Training. The Central Intelligence Agency exists to prevent threats to the homeland. Its operations involve covert actions -- or spying -- through various means to gather critical intelligence data. Life in the field as a dedicated clandestine operative is tough, with agents often spending considerable time

In the United States, perhaps the most notable government body that employs spies is the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). However, the official term for this position is a clandestine service agent, not “spy.” These individuals work for the CIA National Clandestine Service.

So this got us thinking, what does it really take to join the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and become an American spy? The first thing a person interested in a career as an undercover agent needs to remember is that this isn’t the same kind of deal as other professions.

Jan 20, 2016 · A former CIA operative gives us a guide to spotting a spy.

A: To become a spy for the CIA agency, you will have to undergo a lot of training at the agency. Not everyone is suitable for the job as the career may be risky and challenging. The CIA picks recruits that pass various physical tests, knowledge tests, and have completed their college education. Learning how to spy, and actually becoming a real spy are two very different things. Real spies work for actual secret services, and only a tiny percentage of those that are selected to 'join the ranks' get the honor of becoming a Non Official Cover (NOC) Operative.