What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?

CPT allows international students studying in the United States to gain employment training and to engage in paid internship programs off-campus. Get more details about what is CPT in USA and how is it beneficial for international students studying in the USA. 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorisation that lets F-1 international students in the US take up training, internships, or work experience that is required or an integral part of their academic program, before they graduate. Unlike a regular part-time campus job, CPT must connect directly to a student's major and needs sign-off from the school's Designated School Official (DSO) before work begins, whether the position is paid or unpaid.

Most students become eligible only after completing one full academic year, i.e., two consecutive full-time terms, in F-1 status, though graduate programs that require an internship from the first semester are an exception to this rule.

CPT can be authorised part-time work in US (20 hours a week or less) while classes are in session, or full-time during breaks, but using 12 months or more of full-time CPT at a degree level removes eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) later on.

This article covers CPT eligibility, the application process, the documents you'll need, and how CPT is different from OPT, so you can plan work authorisation correctly at every stage of your US degree.

What is CPT (Curricular Practical Training)?

The Curricular Practical Training or CPT Programme allows students enrolled in their first semester of classes to begin working immediately.  Most of the Curricular Practical Training Programme happens off campus, where international students are offered employment or paid internships while studying in the US.

CPT Full Form

CPT full form is Curricular Practical Training, and it allows international students who have come to the United States to study on an F1 visa to be eligible for off-campus employment when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program.

CPT Eligibility Criteria

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) lets F-1 students gain work experience that is directly tied to their academic program, but only certain students qualify. A designated school official (DSO) can authorize CPT only after confirming a student meets specific conditions.

To be eligible for CPT, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Full-time enrollment for one academic year: Students must have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year before applying, unless their graduate program requires practical training earlier.
• Not enrolled in ESL: Students studying English as a second language do not qualify for CPT.
• A secured training offer: Students must have a confirmed training position with a specific employer before the school can authorize CPT.
• Curriculum-linked training: The work must relate directly to the student's major and form an integral part of the school's established curriculum.
• Enrollment at an SEVP-certified school: Only students at SEVP-certified colleges, universities, conservatories, or seminaries can be authorized for CPT.

Note: CPT authorization must be granted in SEVIS before a student starts work, and it applies only to training completed inside the United States. Students who complete one year of full-time CPT lose eligibility for OPT.

Recently, DHS sent out a broadcast message to SEVP certified US universities, updating them about CPT rules for F1 visa holders. Here is the attached PDF for the same, released by the University of Washington:

Documents Required for CPT

Here is a list of documents required to apply for CPT in USA while studying at US university:

How to Apply for CPT in the USA (Step-by-Step)

Candidates who are going to the United States of America for higher education and want to enrol for the CPT Programme can check out the CPT Application Procedure mentioned below:

• Candidates planning to enrol for Curricular Practical Training are advised to start early, as the process is lengthy and could take up to 2 weeks (longer during peak season)
• Candidates would be required to take the CPT Online Certification Course and complete it
• He would be required to get a Detailed Training Description from his employer and inform his Faculty Advisor.
• The candidate would then have to provide all the relevant documents and information to the International Student and Scholar Advisor, who would review the CPT application.
• Once everything is in order, you will receive approval for your CPT I-20, which the candidate should ideally take a printout of, sign, and keep safe. No paid or unpaid work can be undertaken until the candidate has received the CPT without their I-20 form.

Candidates should know that working full-time on CPT for 12 months would make them ineligible to apply for OPT. Hence, candidates are advised to work part-time on CPT or full-time for less than 12 months to be eligible for OPT. Read: Know the difference between CPT and OPT.

Benefits of CPT for International Students

The Curricular Practical Training program benefits the students in multiple ways as it allows international students the opportunity to help cover tuition costs and at the same time gain valuable work experience and obtain a master’s degree.

• Legal Income: Earn US dollars to help fund your tuition and living expenses.
• Resume Building: Gain official US work experience in your field before graduating.
• Networking: Build professional connections that can lead to post-graduation job offers.
• Protects OPT: Part-time CPT preserves your full 12 months of post-grad OPT or Post Study Work Permit in the US.
• Career Preparation: Adapts your skills to American corporate culture and workplace dynamics.
• Day 1 Flexibility: Certain universities grant work authorization from your very first day.

Those opting to work under CPT should have their jobs based on the course of study at a US university. It is beneficial for students to work on an F1 visa under CPT in the USA to gain work experience beforehand, before actually going for a full-time job.

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