Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Students talking to each other

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of employment authorization for international students pursuing degrees in curricular programs. CPT allows students to engage in off campus academic training, such as internships or co-op programs, that is integral to academic programs.

CPT Eligibility

We recommend students to inform your perspective employer whether you already possess a Social Security card or if you will need to apply for one.

For Supervisor/Employer

If the student does not have a Social Security card, you are required to provide a job offer letter with a physical signature for Social Security Administration purposes. In this case, the student must either pick up the original offer letter from you in person, or you and the student must coordinate an arrangement for the letter to be mailed to the student. 

Please ensure that the employment start date is set at least two to three weeks in the future to allow the Social Security Administration sufficient time to issue the student's Social Security card.

*No EAD card is issued for CPT. Once a student is approved for CPT, they will receive a new
SEVIS I-20 showing the CPT authorization on page 2.

CPT Regulations or Work Authorization Guidelines

  • Part-time CPT students may work up to 20 hours per week during regular semesters
  • Full-time CPT students may work full-time during official school breaks or when the academic program requires it
  • All CPT employment must end before the program end date listed on the student’s I-20
  • Students who accumulate 12 or more months of full-time CPT will become ineligible for
    post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same degree level
  • CPT is authorized for an employer-specific and date-specific, and any change in
    employer or request to extend the dates requires submitting a new CPT offer
    letter from the employer and complete the CPT application

* An exception is made for graduate students if their program requires earlier training.

How To Apply

Start CPT Application

After Receiving Authorization

CPT Processing typically takes 5–10 business days. Once the CPT application is approved, the
ISO will issue a new I-20 with the CPT authorization, which you must have before starting work.