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
- Complete the CPT Request Form with your faculty or academic advisor
- Enroll in the appropriate course
- Submit the following to your DSO:
- The completed CPT Request Form
- Proof of course enrollment
- 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.
