Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is off-campus employment for F-1 students that is integral to their academic program and authorized in writing by the Designated School Official (DSO) on Form I-20. Unlike Optional Practical Training (OPT), which occurs after program completion, CPT takes place during enrollment and must be directly related to the student’s field of study and required or approved as part of the curriculum. CPT is common for co-operative education programs (alternating semesters of study and work), internships, clinical training, and mandatory practicums. CPT authorization does not require USCIS approval; the DSO’s authorization on the I-20 is sufficient. However, full-time CPT counts toward and can reduce the 12-month OPT allotment available after graduation, whereas part-time CPT (less than 20 hours per week) during the academic term may not count against OPT.

Key facts

Eligibility

• Currently enrolled F-1 student in good standing at a SEVP-certified school
• Degree-seeking program where practical training is documented as integral to the curriculum (co-op programs, engineering programs with mandatory internships, clinical training in healthcare, etc.)
• Completion of prerequisite coursework (if required by program) before CPT begins
• School approval of the specific employer or training site (DSO must verify employer is legitimate and work is educational)
• Employment directly related to field of study (not peripheral, unrelated, or purely for income)
• Employer agreement to hire the student as part of the academic program (not as a general employee)
• Valid passport and current I-20

Required documents

• Completed CPT request form (school-specific form submitted to DSO or international student office)
• Job offer or acceptance letter from the employer, clearly stating the position, dates, and nature of work
• Job description provided by employer outlining the role and its relevance to the student’s field of study
• Current Form I-20 (valid at the time of CPT request)
• Proof of course completion (if prerequisite courses must be completed before CPT begins)
• School approval/recommendation letter (if CPT is not a required program component; elective or optional CPT may require academic advisor signature confirming its educational value)
• Updated resume or CV showing relevant education and experience
• Employer tax identification number or business license (some schools verify employer legitimacy)
• Evidence of F-1 status (valid SEVIS record, I-94, recent I-20)

Application steps

1. Identify CPT opportunity that is integral to your academic program. This may be:

   • A required internship or practicum mandated by your degree program
   • A co-operative education cycle (alternating semesters of study and full-time work)
   • Research or clinical training in your field of study
   • Study abroad internship or field placement

2. Secure employment offer from the employer. The employer must provide a written offer or acceptance letter stating the position title, start and end dates, and a brief description of responsibilities.

3. Verify employer legitimacy with your DSO. The employer should be an established business or organization in your field; unusual or informal arrangements may not be approved.

4. Complete CPT authorization request through your school’s international student office. Forms vary by school but typically include:

   • Student name, SEVIS ID, passport number, program, expected graduation date
   • Employer name, address, and business type
   • Job title and job description
   • Start date and end date of CPT
   • Expected hours per week
   • Statement that work is integral to curriculum

5. Submit supporting documents to the DSO:

   • Job offer or acceptance letter
   • Job description (1–2 paragraphs explaining how the work relates to your major)
   • Proof of course completion (if applicable)
   • Academic advisor recommendation (if CPT is optional or elective)

6. DSO reviews and approves the CPT request. Processing time is typically 3–10 business days. DSO may request additional information about the employer or role if details are unclear.

7. Receive CPT authorization on an updated I-20. The DSO annotates your I-20 with:

   • “CPT authorized from [start date] to [end date]”
   • Employer name
   • Expected hours per week (full-time, part-time, etc.)

8. Update your SEVIS record (DSO does this automatically). Your SEVIS record reflects the CPT authorization dates and employer.

9. Begin employment on the authorized start date. Ensure your employer is aware of your F-1 status and that the role matches the authorized description.

10. Report work completion to DSO after CPT ends. Some schools require a brief completion report or employer confirmation letter documenting hours worked and educational value gained.

Financial proof / maintenance funds

CPT is work-authorized status; no maintenance fund requirement applies. However, CPT wages may be subject to income tax withholding (employer responsibility).

Work rights

CPT authorization:

• Off-campus work in a job directly related to major field of study
• Work must be integral to curriculum; the program must document practical training as a required or approved component
• Authorization is granted by DSO; no USCIS approval required
• No employer visa sponsorship needed (unlike H-1B)

Hours and timing:

• Part-time during academic term: Up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session; does not typically count against 12-month post-graduation OPT
• Full-time during official breaks: 40+ hours per week during winter break, spring break, summer vacation, or other officially scheduled program breaks; counts toward OPT allotment on pro-rata basis
• Full-time in co-op programs: Some programs alternate full semesters of work and study (e.g., 5-month co-op cycles); full-time CPT in these cycles counts against OPT allotment

Employer flexibility:

• Student can work for the same employer for multiple CPT periods if the training remains integral to the curriculum
• Some students engage in CPT with different employers across multiple semesters (e.g., different internships each summer)

Transition to OPT:

• Part-time CPT during academic term (≤20 hrs/week) typically does NOT reduce 12-month OPT allotment
• Full-time CPT counts against OPT: if student uses 6 months of full-time CPT during school, only 6 months of OPT remains available post-graduation (totals 12 months combined)
• DSO must specify in CPT authorization whether CPT is expected to count against OPT; this clarification prevents misunderstandings at graduation

Common refusal or complication reasons

• Work unrelated to major: Position does not align with student’s field of study; DSO may deny authorization or terminate it if violation discovered mid-program
• Employer not verifiable: Business is informal, unregistered, or does not have legitimate employment relationships; DSO denies CPT authorization
• Lack of academic integration: Work is not documented as integral to curriculum; elective CPT may be denied if student has not secured academic advisor approval
• Insufficient prerequisite coursework: Student has not completed required foundation courses before beginning CPT; DSO may require course completion before CPT starts
• Retroactive authorization request: Attempting to obtain authorization for work already begun is extremely difficult and rare; DSO may deny and place student out of status
• Schedule conflicts with enrollment: Student attempts full-time CPT during academic term while also enrolled in classes (simultaneous enrollment is generally not permitted for full-time work)
• No updated I-20 from DSO: Student begins work without CPT notation on I-20; this is a violation of F-1 status and can result in deportation

Recent changes

CPT and OPT interaction clarified (2023): USCIS and ICE issued guidance clarifying that part-time CPT (≤20 hrs/week) during academic term does not count against 12-month OPT, but full-time CPT does. Schools now must explicitly notify students of this impact at authorization time.

Co-operative education programs expanded (2024): Accreditation bodies and schools have expanded recognition of co-op CPT as an educational requirement, increasing CPT authorizations in engineering and computer science programs.

SEVIS CPT tracking improvements (2023): SEVIS system now auto-alerts DSOs when students near the end of authorized CPT dates, reducing instances of students overstaying CPT authorization.

Related visas or statuses

• F-1 Visa: The nonimmigrant student visa; CPT is a benefit available to F-1 students enrolled at SEVP-certified schools
• I-20 Form: The document on which CPT authorization is noted by the DSO
• On-campus employment: Limited to 20 hrs/week; does not require DSO special authorization and does not count toward OPT
• OPT (Optional Practical Training): Post-graduation work; full-time CPT used during school reduces available OPT
• STEM OPT extension: Not directly affected by CPT, but total practical training (CPT + OPT combined) should be considered when planning extended work authorization
• Grace period: 60 days after program completion during which F-1 status is maintained for departure or OPT application

Primary sources

• USCIS: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 Students
• Code of Federal Regulations: 8 CFR 214.2(f) (CPT provisions within F-1 rules)
• Study in the States: Practical Training for F-1 Students
• EducationUSA: Practical Training Options for International Students
• AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators): CPT Best Practices

Last updated: 2026-04-18.