To be able to take the initial Practical Test (aka check ride) as Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), you need to have a spin endorsement in your logbook.

In FAR 61.183(i) you can read that to be eligible for a flight instructor certificate or rating a person must:

(1) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor indicating that the applicant is competent and possesses instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures after providing the applicant with flight training in those training areas in an airplane or glider, as appropriate, that is certificated for spins.

So, how do you get such a CFI spin endorsement?

Well, you go to Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO) in Northern Virginia and

• Receive ground training in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures
• Go fly the 8KCAB Super Decathlon with a CFI and practice entering spins and applying spin recovery procedures
• You make a presentation (white board, PowerPoint…) and explains about stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures
• Receive a logbook endorsement stating that “I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of section 61.183(i). I have determined that he/she is competent in instructional skills for training stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures.”

All this can usually be accomplished in one or two lesson and is a lot easier than you might think.