Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 Students

What is Curricular Practical Training?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of off-campus work authorization available to F-1 students when the employment is an integral part of an established curriculum. This includes required internships, cooperative education programs, or practicum experiences that are part of your degree requirements.

Unlike OPT, CPT does not require a separate application to USCIS. Your Designated School Official (DSO) authorizes CPT by issuing an updated I-20 with the CPT endorsement. Authorization is employer-specific and dates-specific.

Source: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i) — Curricular Practical Training regulations

The One-Year Enrollment Rule

You must have been enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year before you are eligible for CPT. This means you generally cannot use CPT during your first year of study.

Transfer students must have been enrolled for one full academic year at their current school to qualify, unless their previous institution authorized them and they transferred within the same program.

Part-time vs Full-time CPT

CPT is classified as either part-time (20 hours per week or fewer) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). The distinction is critical because of its effect on future OPT eligibility.

• Part-time CPT (20 hours/week or fewer): Can be used alongside full-time enrollment during the academic year. Does not reduce OPT eligibility regardless of how many months you use.
• Full-time CPT (more than 20 hours/week): Typically used during summer or other breaks. If your cumulative full-time CPT reaches 12 months or more, you become ineligible for OPT at that degree level.

How CPT Authorization Works

CPT is authorized by your DSO, not by USCIS. The process is faster and simpler than OPT because it does not involve a federal application.

1. Secure an internship or job offer that qualifies as integral to your curriculum.
2. Obtain documentation from your academic department confirming the work is part of the curriculum (e.g., enrollment in a co-op or internship course).
3. Submit a CPT request to your international student office with the employer name, address, start and end dates, and part-time or full-time status.
4. Your DSO reviews the request and, if approved, issues an updated I-20 with the CPT authorization printed on page 2.
5. You may begin working on the CPT start date listed on your I-20 (not before).

What Counts as "Integral to the Curriculum"

The employment must be an integral part of an established curriculum, which the regulations define as alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.

• The position must be required for your degree or provide academic credit.
• You typically must be registered for a corresponding course (internship course, co-op course, or practicum).
• Volunteer or unpaid positions may qualify if they meet the curricular integration requirement.
• Each school sets its own additional policies about what qualifies, so check with your DSO.

The CPT I-20: Employer-Specific Authorization

When your DSO approves a CPT request, they issue an updated Form I-20 with the authorization printed on page 2. This I-20 lists the authorized employer name, the employment start and end dates, and whether the position is part-time or full-time. This document is your proof of CPT work authorization and must be presented to your employer when completing Form I-9.

CPT authorization is tied to a single employer for a specific date range. You cannot use the same authorization to work for a different employer, even if the duties are similar. If you change employers, need to extend the end date, or switch between part-time and full-time status, your DSO must issue a new I-20 with an updated authorization before you begin working under the new terms.

Keep your current I-20 with you at work and when traveling internationally. When completing Form I-9 for your employer, the I-20 with CPT authorization on page 2 is your work authorization document.

Pre-Completion OPT vs CPT: Key Differences

Both pre-completion OPT and CPT allow F-1 students to work off-campus while still enrolled, but they have different requirements, different authorization processes, and different effects on your post-completion OPT time.

• Authorization: CPT is authorized by your DSO alone, with no USCIS filing. Pre-completion OPT requires a DSO recommendation followed by a USCIS application (Form I-765) and an EAD card.
• Employer specificity: CPT is tied to one employer named on your I-20. Pre-completion OPT is not employer-specific, meaning you can work for multiple employers as long as the work is in your field of study.
• Curricular connection: CPT must be integral to your established curriculum, typically tied to a specific course or practicum. Pre-completion OPT only requires that the work be related to your field of study.
• Effect on post-completion OPT: Each month of pre-completion OPT used reduces your post-completion OPT time by one month. CPT does not reduce post-completion OPT unless you accumulate 12 or more months of full-time CPT, which eliminates it entirely.
• Processing time: CPT can be approved by the DSO in days or weeks. Pre-completion OPT requires USCIS processing of the I-765, which typically takes several months.