F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Definition of Curricular Practical Training

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) define "curricular practical training" as employment which is an integral or important part of your curriculum, including:

...alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.

According to USCIS, the word "required" does not always limit this type of practical training only to work experiences that are required parts of the curriculum. This clarification is discussed below in more detail.

Job Eligibility Requirements

To be considered curricular practical training, the work must not only be related to your major field of study but also must be an integral or important part of your studies. Training that is required by your degree program always meets the requirements for curricular practical training, regardless of whether or not you receive academic credit for your work. Training that is not required by your degree program may meet the requirements for curricular practical training if you receive academic credit for the employment experience or if it is offered by a sponsored employer through a co-op program at your school. In either case, it must be an important part of your studies. If you have a training opportunity that involves employment, check with your international student adviser to determine if it qualifies as curricular practical training.

NOTE: A course offered for the primary purpose of facilitating employment authorization does not qualify for curricular practical training, but this is dependent on your department and the ISSS Advisor.

Student Eligibility Requirements

Employment Which Is a Required Part of Your Degree Program: If (1) you are a graduate student, (2) you are maintaining lawful F-1 status, and (3) the proposed employment is a required part of your studies, you may apply for permission to engage in curricular practical training whenever your program requires your participation, even if it is immediately upon beginning your studies. Undergraduate students must have completed nine months of full-time study in order to be eligible for any form of curricular practical training.

Employment Which Is Not a Required Part of Your Degree Program: In order to be eligible to apply for permission to work in a job which is not a required part of your study program, you must (1) be in lawful F-1 status and (2) have been a full-time student for at least one academic year.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time Curricular Practical Training

Part-Time Training: Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are also enrolled for classes is considered “part-time” curricular practical training. In this case, the employment authorization on page three of your I-20 should specify permission to engage in “part-time” training, and you must be careful to limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week. There is no limitation on the length of time you may participate in a part-time curricular practical training, but you must be enrolled in school during your training in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.

Full-Time Training: Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered “full-time” curricular practical training. The employment authorization on page three of your I-20 should, in this case, specify permission to participate in “full-time” training. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in full-time curricular practical training, but if you participate for twelve months or more you will not be eligible for optional practical training.

Curricular Practical Training and Eligibility for Optional Practical Training

It is important that you understand that if you participate in twelve months or more of “full-time” curricular training, you lose eligibility to apply for twelve months of optional practical training. Participation in “part-time” training programs does not affect your eligibility for optional practical training.

Employment Eligibility Verification

When you begin work, you and your employer must complete a form entitled “Employment Eligibility Verification” (INS Form I-9), which the employer retains.

Tax Concerns

In general, F-1 students who have been in the United States less than five years are exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes. Your earnings are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Students must file a tax return on or before April 15 of each year. Students may be entitled to a refund of taxes withheld from their wages if the amount of tax owed is less than the amount withheld.

Procedures for Applying for CPT

1. Login to Terra Dotta and submit a CPT request.

2. Obtain a letter from the employer on their official letterhead which includes the name and location of the employer. The letter should provide your title and a short description of your job responsibilities, the period of employment including start and end dates, and whether it is for full-time or part-time work providing the number of hours per week. It should also list the supervisor's name, email address and telephone number.

3. Your academic advisor must confirm that the work experience is related to your academic program and a formal cooperative agreement or a statement from the employer that you will be cooperating with the school in achieving the curricular objectives of the training is obtained.

You must be careful not to begin work prior to this approval and the start date requested and you should not continue employment beyond the date authorized on your I-20 unless you apply for and are granted an extension of your permission to work. Either situation constitutes unauthorized work by USCIS.