U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued new guidance on Curricular Practical Training, commonly called CPT, for F-1 international students. CPT allows eligible F-1 students to gain practical work experience through internships, cooperative education programs, work-study opportunities or required practicums. Eligible students may use CPT before completing their degree, but the training must directly relate to their major.

What Is CPT for F-1 Students?

Curricular Practical Training is a type of work authorization for F-1 students in the United States. It allows students to take part in off-campus training that supports their academic program. A student’s Designated School Official, or DSO, can authorize CPT. Students do not need to apply separately to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an Employment Authorization Document, also known as an EAD, for CPT.

However, students must receive approval before starting work. The DSO must update the student’s SEVIS record and issue a Form I-20 showing the CPT authorization. Students should never begin an internship or job before receiving the updated Form I-20.

ICE Says CPT Must Be Required by the Curriculum

ICE has clarified that CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum. In simple terms, the training must be necessary to complete the academic program or course of study. The guidance states that CPT cannot be optional for only some students in the same curriculum. If a school identifies practical training as an essential part of a program, every student in that curriculum must take part in it. This includes both international students and U.S. students.

ICE also said that an optional elective course generally does not meet the requirement for CPT. Schools cannot treat CPT like Optional Practical Training, or OPT, because the two programs follow different rules.

Why Some Colleges Paused CPT Approvals

After ICE issued its recent guidance, several universities reviewed their CPT policies and approval processes. Some schools temporarily paused new CPT approvals while they examined whether their programs met the agency’s requirements.

A pause does not mean that CPT has ended for all F-1 students. Each university may review its own policies, course structures and internship requirements. Students should check directly with their international student office for the latest information about their school’s CPT process.

What F-1 Students Must Do Before Starting CPT

ICE has outlined several requirements for CPT authorization. Students must make an official request to their DSO before beginning training. The DSO must confirm that:

• CPT is a required part of the student’s established curriculum.
• The internship or training directly relates to the student’s major.
• The employer offers a genuine practical training opportunity.
• The employer has a cooperative agreement with the school.
• The student’s SEVIS record includes the correct CPT details.

The student’s Form I-20 must show the employer name, work location, start date, end date and whether the training is part-time or full-time. Students should keep a copy of this document for their records.

How CPT Differs From OPT

CPT and OPT both allow F-1 students to gain work experience in the United States, but they serve different purposes.

CPT is tied to a student’s academic curriculum. The training must be required by the program and directly related to the student’s major. A school’s DSO authorizes CPT through SEVIS before the student starts work.

OPT is more flexible. It does not need to be a required part of the curriculum, although the job must still relate to the student’s major. Students usually apply for OPT through USCIS and need an EAD before they can begin work.

Students should also remember that using 12 months or more of full-time CPT can affect eligibility for post-completion OPT. Students should discuss this issue with their DSO before accepting a full-time CPT opportunity.

What Students Should Do Next

F-1 students should not rely on general online information alone, as CPT policies can differ by university and program. Before accepting an internship, students should speak with their DSO or international student office.

They should also confirm that their program requires the training, make a formal CPT request and wait for the updated Form I-20 before starting work. Students with complex immigration questions should seek advice from a qualified U.S. immigration attorney.

ICE’s guidance highlights that CPT must remain a genuine academic training program, not an optional work benefit. Students who follow their university’s process and receive proper authorization can avoid problems with their F-1 status.

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Note: This is general information only and does not offer legal advice. For the official guidance, review ICE’s CPT reminder, CPT FAQ, and the federal F-1 regulations.

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