CPT Authorization

CPT Authorization Application

Before submitting a request for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) please review all of the information below.

Curricular Practical Training: Revised Guidance

Alert: Following DHS guidance in August 2026, CPT has been suspended for non-required internships until further notice.

The information below provides an overview and answers to frequently asked questions regarding recent changes to Curricular Practical Training (CPT) policies and procedures following the August 2026 broadcast communications issued by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to Designated School Officials (DSOs).

CPT Authorization

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an authorization which allows F-1 students to gain practical experience off campus that is an integral part of their curriculum and directly related to their field of study. 

Because CPT is part of your curriculum, your curriculum must require the practical training experience as part of your degree completion. Not all programs offer this option, so CPT is not available to every student.  CPT must be a core and essential part of the student’s studies.

“Practical training” includes any academic activity for which you receive a benefit, including academic credit. You must have CPT authorization before starting any off-campus academic training activity (internships, field work, practicum, or other employment), whether it is paid or unpaid.

CPT authorization is temporary and limited.  Students are only authorized to work for the specific practical training employer/supervisor, dates, and hours per week (part-time or full-time) listed on page 2 of the student's I-20. 

CPT will not be authorized in situations where Optional Practical Training is more appropriate.

If you have questions about the difference between volunteering versus unpaid training, please review our Employment page and select "Volunteering and Unpaid Experiences" for more information.

Need help with your internship search? The Office of Career and Professional Development in Science Library G-50 can assist.

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible for CPT if you:

• Maintain active F-1 status
• Have completed at least one academic year (two semesters) of full-time study
  • You may be eligible earlier if your graduate program requires immediate participation in off-campus internships or field placements
  • If you changed degree levels or transferred your SEVIS record, time spent in your prior program may count toward the one academic year requirement
• Have a training offer directly related to your major
• Participate in an experience that is required, or integral, to your curriculum

Enrollment Requirements

You must enroll in an approved course during each term you request CPT (Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer).

• The course must apply toward completing your degree 
• The training experience associated with the course must be evaluated by a faculty member, graded, and appear on your transcript for the same term CPT is authorized.
• The course must be a minimum of 1 credit

Full-time enrollment requirements:

• Fall/Spring: You must be enrolled full-time or approved for an Authorized Reduced Course Load (final semester only)
• Summer/Winter: Full-time enrollment, or an approved RCL, is required only if it is your final semester. If summer/winter is not your final semester, you do not need to enroll full-time

Dates and Deadlines

CPT authorization is term specific. There are four terms during which one may apply for CPT: Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer. 

• CPT generally cannot extend beyond the last day of exams for the semester in which the authorization is granted.
• CPT may begin before the semester starts; however, it cannot overlap with the previous semester. Refer to the chart when choosing your start and end dates.
• If additional time is needed beyond the authorized dates a new CPT application- including course enrollment for the next semester- is required.
• If CPT authorization was granted in your final semester and you were also approved for a final semester authorized reduced course load then your CPT cannot be extended into a future semester. 

If your requested dates do not fall within these ranges contact ISSS if you need assistance.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time

• Part-time CPT: 20 hours or less per week
• Full-time CPT: More than 20 hours per week

Full-time CPT is allowed only if:

• It is Summer or Winter AND it is not your final semester, or
• Your program requires more than 20 hours per week, or
• You are on an authorized reduced course load and the full-time practical training is integral to completion of the degree

If you accumulate 12 months of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at that degree level. Part-time CPT does not impact OPT eligibility.

Can I participate in CPT and work on-campus at the same time?

F-1 regulations do not prohibit a student from working on-campus while also participating in a CPT-authorized off-campus internship. The student's responsibility is to ensure that academic progress remains their primary objective.  Please note there may be other considerations or limitations based on individual circumstances, such as extra service restrictions for graduate students or dual employment considerations with Human Resources.

How to Request CPT Authorization

1. Confirm academic eligibility with department/advisor
2. Secure an internship offer that meets the CPT eligibility requirements and directly relates to your major.  The practical training letter must include:
   • Specific beginning and end date of the practical training opportunity (remember, CPT is only authorized one term at a time, and the dates of the practical training should fall within the term specific policies)
   • The hours per week
   • The specific duties and responsibilities (these must directly relate to the student's major)
   • The practical training employer's signature 

If the start date on the offer letter you submit has passed at the time you apply, your request will be denied. You must obtain CPT authorization prior to starting the position as authorization can never be backdated.

You will be required to upload the practical training letter as part of your EForm submission to ISSS. Here is a sample employer letter you can share with your supervisor if they need assistance.

3. Submit the Request for Academic Approvals for CPT Form to get academic approvals for your experience before requesting CPT authorization from ISSS. Share the practical training employment offer with your academic advisor and department chair.  
   • If you are a graduate student with on-campus employment you also need to get permission from the Graduate School for extra service. This process is built into the Request for Academic Approvals form.
   • If you are granted academic approvals you will get a confirmation email. Save the email as a PDF; you will upload it with your offer letter through the Curricular Practical Training Request EForm.
4. Ensure enrollment for the term requested meets all requirements and aligns with the information listed on the Academic Approvals for CPT Form (including full-time enrollment or authorized reduced course load approval)
5. Log into AccessISSS and submit the Curricular Practical Training Request EForm and supporting documents to the ISSS Office.  Please allow at least 5-7 business days for processing after a complete request is submitted. 
   • Select the "Curricular Practical Training Request" from the EForm menu.
   • This EForm will ask you to upload supporting documents. If you need assistance, please review the File Upload Instructions.
   • All updates related to your EForm will be communicated over email. Please allow up to 5-7 business days for processing.
   • If the position is paid and you don't yet have a Social Security Number (SSN) please submit a SSN Status Letter EForm request as well.

Remember that you may not begin your training until after the CPT is authorized by ISSS and you've received a new I-20 as evidence of this authorization.  For paid practical training opportunities the student should share the I-20 with the employer for I-9 processing.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site/form is provided as a service to international students, faculty and staff at the University at Albany. It does not constitute legal advice. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site or any associated site or form.

Neither the University at Albany nor ISSS is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel; students may wish to consult an immigration attorney on the specifics of their case as needed.