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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Questions & Answers
- What is CPT (Curricular Practical Training)?
- What type of internship can I get?
- What are the eligibility criteria for CPT?
- Does the CPT impact on the amount of allowed Optical Practical Training (OPT)?
- What is the difference between CPT and OPT?
- What is considered part-time training?
- What is considered full-time training?
- What proof of employment authorization should I give my employer?
What is CPT (Curricular Practical Training) ?
Curricular Practical Training is a type of employment that is either required by your curriculum, or is an academically integrated part of a credit-bearing course. This employment may be an internship, co-op education job, or any other work experience that is either required for your degree (as defined in the course catalog) or for which academic credit is awarded. The advisor at the ISPO (International Student Office) authorizes it.
What type of internship can I get?
An internship can be paid or unpaid as long as it meets the requirement listed above. In addition, you must go to the Internship Office before CPT approval.
What are the eligibility criteria for CPT?
All F-1 students who have been in their academic program for at least nine months, and who have maintained F-1 status potentially qualify. In addition, your curriculum must require employment in order to achieve your degree/program, or you must be registered for a credit-bearing course that provides academic integration with the employment.
Does the CPT impact on the amount of allowed Optical Practical Training (OPT)?
If a student uses a total of 12 months or more of full-time CPT, it cancels out all OPT time. Part time CPT does not count toward this 12-month aggregate.
What is the difference between CPT and OPT?
CPT (usually an internship) must be "an integral part of an established curriculum in the student's course of study" and, therefore, before graduation. According to the regulations, there is no specified limit on either the number of times or the length of time a student may engage in either part-or full-time CPT, however, it does affect OPT if full time CPT is 12 months or more.
What is considered part-time training?
Employment for less than 20 hours per week is considered part-time curricular practical training. The employment authorization written on the back of your I-20 ID copy will specify permission to engage in part-time training and you must limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in part-time curricular practical training, but you must be simultaneously enrolled as a full-time student in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.
What is considered full-time training?
Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time curricular practical training, regardless of whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time for classes. The employment authorization on your I-20 ID copy will specify permission to participate in full-time training. If you participate in twelve months or more of curricular practical training you will not be eligible for post-completion optional practical training.
What proof of employment authorization should I give my employer?
Your I-20 form authorized for curricular practical training is the document which indicates employment authorization. Please BRING THE FOLLOWING TO YOUR EMPLOYER: your I-20 form, your passport and other personal identification such as driver’s license or student ID to your employer. These documents will allow your employer to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. All employers are required to complete an I-9 form for every employee.