Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of temporary work authorization that allows enrolled F-1 students in degree-seeking programs to engage in off-campus internship during their program of study. CPT is job specific, meaning you must have an internship offer to apply. The internship must be directly related to your area of study and integral to your degree program. In addition, the internship must be a required academic component needed to meet graduation requirements for student's program.
Important
Working without work authorization is a violation of the F-1 regulations which may lead to termination of your F-1 status. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to work in the US, contact ISS at TheWorld@memphis.edu.
CPT Process at a Glance
Eligibility
- Be in an active F-1 status.
- Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in the U.S. for one academic year (2 full semesters).
- Will continue to meet the F-1 enrollment requirements during the CPT.
- Internship is an integral part of an established curriculum.
- Internship is directly relatd to student's major of study.
- Internship is required to meet the graduation requirement.
- CPT must be tied to an internship course during the semester in which CPT is authorized. Dissertation or thesis course may not be used to meet this requirement. Eligibility to register for an internship course does not, by itself, mean that the internship is a graduation requirement.
- Receive recommendation from the academic department.
- Receive approval from ISS and an updated I-20 reflecting the CPT authorization.
Other Considerations and Limitations
- CPT is only available during your program meaning your authorization dates must occur before your I-20 expires.
- CPT authorization is employer-specific, meaning authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific period of time. Students may have multiple CPT at the same time.
- Working beyond CPT authorization dates or for an employer without CPT authorization is considered a violation of F-1 regulations which may lead to termination of the F-1 status.
- CPT can be part-time or full-time. Full-time CPT may require additional review by ISS.
- CPT can be paid or unpaid.
- CPT may be approved on a full-time (21 hours or more per week) or part-time (20 hours or less per week) basis. Using 12 months of full-time CPT will eliminate the eligibility for Post-Completion OPT.
- Internship can only begin AFTER you have received the CPT I-20 and the start date has begun.
- CPT cannot be extended for the same internship course that students have already completed.
- Non-degree programs such as English Language Training programs are not eligible for CPT.
If you have any doubt about whether a position requires CPT, contact ISS office at TheWorld@memphis.edu.
Application Process
STEP 1: Obtain an internship offer & offer letter
The first step to acquiring CPT is to secure an internship offer for a position that is related and integral to your program of study. Once the internship offer is made, the employer must issue an offer letter that includes the following. If a standard offer letter does not include all the information, suppliementry document from the employer, such as email, may be provided.
- Employer Name
- Employment Start and End Date
- Number of hours you’ll be working per week.
- 21 hours or more per week = full-time employment
- 20 hours or less per week = part-time employment
- Employer Address
- Brief description of job duties
In addition to the above, the offer letter should include the employer’s signature
and be generated on the company’s letterhead. For an offer letter sent by email, the
email must include sender information indicating that it was sent by an official representative
of the employer.
STEP 2: Apply for CPT through the ISS Office, allow 7-10 business days for processing
You can apply for CPT through our CPT Application form. This form will require:
- A copy of your job offer letter
- Contact information of your department member recommending the CPT authorization.
Once you submit your application, your recommender will receive a request to complete a recommendation form. Be sure to reach out to your recommender ahead of time so they know to expect this request.
Once your application is submitted, please allow up to 7-10 business days for ISS to issue your CPT authorization. CPT processing cannot be expedited. You are responsible for communicating the CPT application timeline with your employer. Please do not ask your employer to contact ISS for updates on your application. Due to FERPA, ISS cannot share your student information or application status with your employer.
You cannot begin employment until you receive CPT authorization, and the start-date has been reached.
STEP 3: Receive CPT approval & begin working
Once your CPT application is approved, an email notification will be sent to you. You can downlod an updated I-20 with CPT authorization from your student portal.
Do not work until the start-date has been reached!
Remember, CPT is date and job specific, meaning you are only authorized to work for the employer listed on the I-20 and only on the dates authorized. Working outside of the authorized dates is a status violation which may negatively impact future USCIS applications (e.g., OPT, H-1B, etc.).
STEP 4: Extend or Reapply for CPT, if needed
CPT authorization may be extended if you must complete another internship to meet the graduation requirement.
You must stop the internship after the CPT end date. A new CPT application must be approved before you can resume working or begin a new internship.