At this entry stage candidates will have their qualifications accredited or approved. If the candidate lacks any equivalent qualification they must undertake the Intelligence Academy's intelligence operations, intelligence analysis and intelligence management courses.

These programmes are aimed at students with no prior knowledge or experience of intelligence. The primary objective is to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to perform core intelligence functions across various environments and sectors while assessing their aptitude to fulfil the future requirements of certification. The training also bridges the vocational gap between the learning objectives of some academic programmes and the capability requirements of the profession.

Although the following courses assume some existing knowledge of European security issues, anyone who is physically fit with a higher education (degree-level or equivalent), good character, history of personal and professional responsibility and an ethical and justifiable reason to study may begin their journey to professional membership. All temporary agents and permanent officials of the Institute's general staff must be qualified to this level.

A passing grade on all of the following elements fulfil the academic entrance criteria for general registration and admission to further training should the candidate wish to pursue specialist registration. To begin a candidate should request accreditation or approval of qualifications or enrol in any of the following courses:

	Intelligence Operations: Introducing the fundamentals of intelligence theory, systems and organisation. Covering intelligence and security decision-making, threat awareness, legal and preventative tactics, techniques and procedures.
	Intelligence Analysis: Fostering an awareness of the process of developing finished intelligence from source reporting with common tradecraft, techniques and methods. Also developing intelligence leadership skills together with a knowledge of intelligence coordination, planning and core collection..
	Intelligence Management: Introducing concepts of oversight, accountability, governance, ethics, law, risk, authority and audit. Also addressing operational requirements, restrictions, key roles and responsibilities.
	Final Exercise: The culminating exercise can take the form of any competency assessment delivered by the directing staff. However, those enrolled in general service training with the Intelligence Academy have the opportunity to meet the challenge of the prestigious Ex. Capstone.

At this level of development candidates will have the technical specialism of their professional charter or certification verified. If the candidate wishes to apply for specialism within the human domain they must undertake the Intelligence Academy's clandestine programme or have equivalent qualifications accredited or approved.

Specialist professional education is aimed at candidates with a solid understanding of intelligence through experience, education or training but with an incomplete understanding of covert disciplines, specifically within the human domain. The primary objective is to provide candidates with the skills and knowledge required to perform clandestine human intelligence operations to European standards. Training introduces candidates to the full scope of covert operations, taking those with an existing knowledge of intelligence to the position of recognised covert operatives.

The following courses require professional training and experience in regional intelligence operations, analysis and management equivalent to the EUIOC, EUIAC and the EUIMC. Permanent officials of the Institute's intelligence staff must be qualified to this level.

A passing grade on all of the following elements fulfil the academic entrance criteria for specialist registration. To begin study a candidate should request accreditation or approval of qualifications or enrol in any of the following courses:

	Intelligence Interviewing: Providing an understanding of intelligence interrogation, interview, debrief and elicitation techniques and methodology, deception tactics and other enhanced techniques.
	Protective Intelligence: The international identification, exfiltration, relocation, protection, training and support of persons in high-risk environments.
	Informant Management: Identifying, developing, recruiting and handling intelligence agents efficiently and effectively within a targeted network are considered core skills.
	Undercover Operations: Introducing the theory and practice of secrecy, security, cover, camouflage, concealment, communications and other specialist tradecraft. Covert operations planning, decision-making and analysis may also include soft tactics and special operations intelligence.
	Counterintelligence: Building on initial counter-intelligence awareness training, this develops counter-intelligence investigative knowledge and skills.
	Surveillance: Surveillance countermeasures feature prominently throughout Institute training. During this stage students pursue surveillance and surveillance detection training in physical and technical domains. This includes an understanding of how to implement covert entry, search, controlled delivery and technical operations.
	Hostile Environments: This provides a sound understanding of the principles of survival, evasion, resistance and escape, and preparation of the environment for such action. It builds on that foundation with a military training platform for conducting intelligence activity in hostile environments.
	Language & Culture (Dual-Award): An intensive language programme in Russian, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Pashto, Kurdish or Urdu. This module is provided in partnership with external specialists.
	Final Exercise: The culminating exercise can take the form of any competency assessment delivered by the directing staff. However, those enrolled in clandestine service training with the Intelligence Academy have the opportunity to meet the challenge of the prestigious Ex. Solo and Ex. Thunderbolt.

Annual re-certification requires at least 60 hours of professional development each year of which 30 of those hours must be verifiable. The professional development must contribute to the development and maintenance of a core competency appropriate for the area of work the registrant is certified for. Some examples of non-verifiable CPD are; reading journals, magazines, books or newspapers, observation, networking, giving and receiving feedback and reflection. Examples of verifiable CPD are; conferences, seminars, workshops, e-learning, accredited assessor, readiness exercises or teaching/studying a relevant course.

Registrants are free to seek professional development from any provider. CPD has no territorial restrictions or additional competence requirements beyond that mentioned above. Registrants must maintain a record of all CPD activities.