Skip to content

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) 

What is CPT?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 visa students when the practical training employment is an integral part of the curriculum and degree program.

The CPT regulations are very strict. As an F-1 student, the priority and purpose of your stay in the U.S. is to engage in full-time studies. Engaging in CPT is a benefit for F-1 students who are making normal progress towards completion of their academic programs and are maintaining a valid visa status. Improper use can affect future immigration benefits or result in unnecessary RFEs (Requests for Further Evidence).

For more information on eligibility, read below, join a CPT Workshop, and view the CPT Tutorial.

Eligibility Requirements

To obtain CPT, a student must:

  • have been in valid F-1 immigration status for at least one academic year or two consecutive semesters.
  • have a job offer related to the field of study and the employment/training must be integral to the student's degree program.
  • obtain CPT authorization from an International Student and Scholar (ISS) advisor and faculty advisor BEFORE beginning employment.
  • be registered in a course related to CPT employment--Obtain CRN from your Department. If applying for summer CPT, register for 12-Week Summer Session D. (Summer tuition is approximately $700 for 1 unit.)
  • show Form I-20 to the employer as evidence of work authorization.

Types of CPT

Degree Requirement

CPT may be authorized when an internship is a requirement of a degree program (i.e. all students in the program must complete an internship to obtain the degree and is stated in the catalog).

Authorization can be for full-time or part-time employment, depending on the academic department's requirement.

Course Credit

CPT may be authorized for students who enroll in a course that requires employment to earn a grade, or a course where students design their own research project based on the employment. Enrollment in the course must be concurrent with the employment.

Authorization will be granted on a semester-only basis. However, if a student wishes to work for a period longer than the last day of the semester, s/he must enroll in the next available semester before authorization can be extended beyond the current term.

Amount of Hours Allowed

There are no limits to how much part-time CPT a student can engage in.

However, students who engage in 365 calendar days or more of full-time CPT in their program will no longer be eligible for post-completion OPT (working after graduation). 

Students should ensure they are balancing their CPT employment with their on-campus obligations. Students are able to apply for part-time CPT (20 hours or less per week) or full-time CPT (21 hours per week or more).

Students are allowed to work the amount of hours under the following conditions:

  • Part-time CPT during the academic year (Fall/Spring Semesters)
    • Students may work more than 20 hours during Summer term or semester breaks, such as Winter vacation.
  • Full-time CPT during the academic year is available to Graduate students who have advanced to candidacy or are enrolled in a program which requires full-time CPT during the academic year.
    • Approval of full-time CPT is at the discretion of academic departments. Consider potential impacts to graduate funding and on-campus appointments with your academic department eligibility and potential impacts to funding and on-campus appointments with your academic department.

Application Process 

  1. Complete the CPT Request Form with your faculty or academic advisor
  2. Enroll in the appropriate course
  3. Submit the following to your DSO:
    1. The completed CPT Request Form
    2. Proof of course enrollment
    3. The CPT Training Verification Job offer containing ALL the information listed on page 3 of the CPT Request Form

IMPORTANT: It's always best to request your CPT authorization EARLY! Please expect 3-5 business days for your ISS advisor to process your CPT after you've submitted a COMPLETED list of everything above. It's common to be missing things or accidentally forget to provide information and this could lead to longer processing times.

You are NOT allowed to work until you obtain the CPT authorized I-20 from your ISS advisor.