Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of employment authorization for students in F-1 status who wish or need to engage in off-campus employment in their field of study when it is a required component of their curriculum, is integral to their thesis or dissertation research (e.g., collecting data or testing hypotheses in a real world industry environment) or part of a co-operative education program in their field of study. Many students do not engage in CPT during their studies, but many others do take advantage of this benefit. It is important for student to remember that CPT is a benefit of the F-1 visa status, not a right. CPT at NC State University is done in conjunction with Co-op enrollment unless it is a required component for all students in the curriculum and is always done on a semester by semester basis.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Students must have been enrolled full-time for at least nine months (two consecutive semesters) and be in F-1 status
- Students must have completed at least one semester at NC State
- Students must have completed at least one semester in their major
- Students must be maintaining lawful F-1 status
- Students must be in good academic standing (students whose academic programs are listed as suspended, terminated, probation or warning are not eligible for CPT)
- Students must be making normal progress toward their degree
- Students must obtain the recommendation of their DGP (coordinator of advising)
CPT Application Process:
- Students must attend a joint OIS/Co-op CPT Information Session (CPT Session Schedule) to obtain the Co-op/CPT Sequence of Events and Checklist Form.
- Review the CPT Information packet given out at the session
- Complete the paperwork for Co-op
- Submit your resume online through Co-op
- Interview with companies
- Select offer and receive job offer letter. The job offer letter must be on the company letterhead and include:
- Request company to complete CPT Supplemental Form (send to student or fax to OIS)
- Present completed OIS forms (distributed at Info session) and offer letter to DGP and ask DGP/Undergraduate Advisor to complete the Advisor's Recommendation form for CPT (F-1 Co-op)
- Complete the F-1 Student Application for F-1 Curricular Practical Training
- Present company offer letter and completed OIS forms to Co-op and obtain Co-op approval on the Co-op/CPT Sequence of Events and Checklist Form
- Submit all forms and offer letter to OIS during a scheduled CPT processing session (or by appointment).
- Collect and sign I-20 from OIS when complete (allow 3-5 business days for processing). Students must have obtained new I-20 with CPT authorization prior to beginning any employment
- Register for Co-op and pay co-op fee
- Engage in co-op and submit final report afterwards
o Job title and description
o Salary
o Number of hours per work week
o Mailing address of work site
o Start date and end date (must be within the dates of the academic semester)
Note: Students must attend a CPT Information Session to obtain the Co-op/CPT Sequence of Events and Checklist Form. Students who do not have the Co-op/CPT Sequence of Events and Checklist Form will not be authorized for CPT and will be required to attend the CPT Information Session. Students who try to submit the CPT forms without the completed and signed Co-op/CPT Sequence of Events and Checklist Form will delay the processing of their CPT application.
Extension of CPT
Students who are eligible for and would like to request an extension of a current CPT (i.e. an additional few days or weeks within the same semester)
for the same employer (nothing has changed except the new ending date) will need to request the employer to e-mail
their OIS advisor and Co-op advisor confirming the new end date and that the student's job title and description have not changed.
Students who are eligible for and would like to request a second rotation or additional semester of CPT may contact OIS by e-mail (ois@ncsu.edu) to request
the Co-op/CPT Sequence of Events and Checklist Form.
These students will need to complete the CPT application materials again and submit them to OIS during a scheduled CPT processing session.
Note: Students on an approved CPT are not eligible to continue working beyond the end date of the CPT authorization as indicated on the third page of the
I-20. It is the student's responsibility to request the extension of a current CPT in a timely manner (recommended at least five business days
prior to the expiration of the current CPT rotation).
Additional Information
Time spent doing CPT is not subtracted from the 12 month maximum period of OPT (Optional Practical Training), but students who engage in 12 months
or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for any OPT. Students who engage in off-campus employment without obtaining CPT authorization, or who work
before or after the approved dates on the CPT authorization as listed on the Form I-20, or who work for a different employer will be considered to
have engaged in unlawful employment. Part-time (<20 hours per week) CPT is possible for eligible students (concurrent full-time enrollment is required
in the Fall and Spring semesters). Students may not engage in CPT while they have an active TA or RA position. Students may not begin an initial period
of CPT in their final semester of study or after they have defended their thesis or dissertation. Full-time CPT during the Fall or Spring semester will
only be authorized if the CPT is a required or integral part of the student's degree program or thesis. Full-time CPT in the Fall or Spring semester
does not meet full-time student status for University purposes, but is allowable for the purpose of maintaining F-1 status for a given semester (that
is, no course enrollment is necessary for immigration purposes, but students should obtain the approval of their DGP or Coordinator of Advising).
In order to accept salary or wage payment from U.S.-based source, it is necessary to obtain a Social Security Number.