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 students 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 in their current curriculum at NC State
- 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/Undergraduate Advisor
- Students applying for full-time summer CPT must register for subsequent Fall semester coursework prior to submitting CPT material to OIS
Full-time and Part-time CPT:
Part-time (<20 hours per week) CPT is possible for eligible students (concurrent full-time enrollment is required in the Fall and Spring semesters). 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 or dissertation.
International students at NC State are limited to a combined total of 20 hours of employment during the academic year (inclusive of on-campus and any CPT). Students may be eligible for employment beyond 20 hours per week during the academic year if the CPT is justified because it is a standard requirement of the academic program or integral to the student’s thesis or dissertation. On campus employment cannot exceed 20 hours per week during the academic year.
CPT Application Process:
OIS provides you with two options to familiarize yourself with the CPT work authorization benefit and the application process. You can take the online CPT session at your convenience or you can attend one of the in-person information sessions which are held throughout the semester (Schedule).
- If you attend the in-person CPT session, review and print the CPT handout and bring it with you to the session.
- If you complete the online CPT session, you are asked to take a short quiz at the end of the session. You'll need to pass this quiz and print the results page. (See orientation for further information).
Once you have completed the online CPT session or attended an in-person session, please take the following steps:
- Complete the Co-op Application and hand it in to the Co-op office to gain access to the Co-op job system. The application is available at the Co-op Office in 2100 Pullen Hall. All students must complete this step, even if you already have an internship.
- If you need help finding a position or would like to improve your interviewing skills, resume or want to learn about the expectations of American employers, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with one of the Co-op coordinators to advice you on this process. The Co-op office is located in 2100 Pullen Hall and the phone number is 919-515-2300.
Once you have secured an internship, please complete the application steps:
- Review the offer letter you have received and make sure you have the following items in writing from your employer: (1) Job title, (2) job description, (3) salary, (4) number of hours you will work per week, (5) start date, (6) end date, and (7) the specific work location (the address where YOU will work).
- Complete the F-1 Student Application for CPT.
- Submit your offer letter and the F-1 Student Application for CPT to your DGP or Undergraduate Academic Advisor and ask them the complete the Academic Advisor’s Recommendation Form for CPT (see page 2 in link).
- E-mail or hand the CPT Supplemental Form to your future employer and ask them to complete it and give it back to you or submit it directly to OIS. (See form for OIS contact information).
- Schedule an appointment with your Co-op coordinator (919-515-2300) to review your paperwork and go over the pre-work details.
- Once the Co-op coordinator has signed off on your request, bring all of the paperwork to OIS on either Monday or Thursday at 9:30 AM (appointment not necessary). If all the paperwork is in order, you’ll receive your work authorization within 3 to 5 business days after drop-off.
Please note: Step 5 and 6 may change depending on the time of year. During the months of April, May and June, OIS and Co-op will offer alternate processing times due to the high volume of applications received during this time. We will post everything here, so please make sure to check this web page when you are ready to meet with Co-op and OIS for review and submission of your application.
If you have questions, please take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page on CPT.
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 should complete the CPT application materials again. Once students have completed the required documents in the CPT Information Packet the students should contact the Co-op office to schedule a pre-work appointment. After obtaining authorization from the Co-op office students may submit the completed materials to OIS during a scheduled CPT processing session (Mondays and Thursdays at 9:30 AM).
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. 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.