Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is required for each training / employment experience used to fulfill a co-op requirement. These include paid or unpaid experiences as well as co-op alternatives like Experiential Exploration Programs (EEPs), service learning, international experiences, study abroad, etc. This also includes all work/training taking place on campus.

In all cases, submit the CPT e-form to UC International using iBearcatsGlobal.

If your employment/training is taking place outside the U.S., CPT will not to be issued on your SEVIS record. However, you still need to submit the CPT e-form in iBearcatsGlobal, so UC International can record your co-op participation and keep your SEVIS record active. 

You will need to enroll in the appropriate co-op course for each semester in which the employment/training is taking place. Failure to enroll can result in the termination of your CPT employment and possible termination of your F-1 status.

If the training/employment is taking place to fulfill an Internship/capstone or other curricular option, CPT is required for each experience, paid or unpaid.

You will need to enroll in the appropriate internship/capstone or other course for each term the employment/training is taking place.

If the training/employment is necessary for completion of a thesis or dissertation, CPT is required for each semester the employment/training will take place.

You are required to enroll in 1 credit hour of thesis/dissertation research for each semester the employment/training will take place except for the summer. If the employment/training will take place during summer term only, then enrollment in the relevant research credit is necessary in the Summer Term.

The employment/training must be an integral part of the program of study. CPT is required for all paid employment/training opportunities.

CPT may be required for non-paid training opportunities. Students and academic units must consult with UC International for the appropriate procedures regarding all non-paid opportunities to determine if CPT is required. If CPT is required, enrollment in the appropriate course is needed for each term the training will take place.

You're not limited in the amount of Curricular Practical Training you may utilize if you continue to meet an academic need/requirement. However, students who have engaged in a year (365 days) or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Those who utilize 364 days or less of full-time CPT are still eligible for OPT.

In most cases, yes. If your CPT goes even one day into the next semester, you need to register for your CPT in that semester. If you wish to avoid this, you'll need to communicate with your employer to shorten your employment to a date before the start of the semester. If you're a PhD student who is utilizing CPT for dissertation research, your enrollment requirements are slightly different. See registration requirements above. If you're still not sure if you need to register, please contact our office.

On your first day of work, you will complete an I-9 form with your employer. It certifies how you are authorized to work in the US. The two most common questions about this form are answered below:

• In Section 1, "An alien authorized to work", your Admission # is your I-94 number.
• You are “authorized to work until” the end date of the CPT listed on your I-20.
• In Section 2, CPT falls under the category of "List A", document #4: Unexpired foreign passport, with Form I-94 indicating unexpired employment authorization. This section is to be completed by the employer, not the student.

You are authorized to work with the company, at the location, during the dates stated clearly on page 2 of your I-20. If anything should change in any of the details, UC International will need to authorize such changes.

For example, if you wish to work beyond the authorized period of employment, the employer is going to transfer you to another location, or you are going to work full-time instead of part-time, UC International will need to make these alterations to your authorization.

Your academic / co-op advisor will need to put any changes into writing and send them to UC International.

If you wish to take part in a new period of CPT, submit the CPT Request eForm again or get a letter from your advisor explaining the changes. The advisor's letter must be received by UC International Services prior to you starting work under the changed conditions.

Remember, it will take several business days to process your request. Plan ahead!

While on CPT you are still in F-1 status. Please make sure that you are following all of the rules to maintain your status. This includes any changes of address (within 10 days). To update your local address, please submit the new address in Catalyst. You can find instructions for this process on the Enrollment Services website.

You can travel in and out of the United States while on CPT provided your I-20 has been signed by UC International Services within the past 12 months. You can obtain a new travel signature by completing the "Travel Signature Request" in iBearcatsGlobal.

You are still covered under University Student Health Insurance during your period of CPT. Your employer may need to know this if you wish to waive their health benefits.

Alternatively, if you wish to use your employer’s health benefits and wish to waive the University Student Health Insurance for the period you are on CPT, you will need to apply for a waiver prior to the deadline.

Either one of these can be given to you by an employer if you are working for them as a salaried employee or as an independent contractor, although it is often only issued if working as an independent contractor.  The W-9 is completed by US Citizens and Resident Aliens for Tax Purposes.  Non-Resident Alien for Tax Purposes complete a W-8BEN. See below under "what is a W-4" for an explanation of the difference. Once you have your CPT approved you can show them your I-20 (page two will have your work permit) and then give them a Form W-8BEN (which is the Non-Resident Alien for Tax Purposes version of the W-9). Replace this text component with your accordion's content.

It is available below and you only need to complete Part I and Sign Part III (leaving Part II blank).

A W-4 is issued if you will be working for a company as a salaried employee and not as an independent contractor.  If you have been present in the US in F-1 status for less than five years you will qualify as a Non-Resident Alien for Tax Purposes. This means your W-4 will need to be notated and completed in a certain way.