Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Federal regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i), allow FSU’s Department of Homeland Security Designated School Officials (international student advisors at the CGE) to authorize in a student’s federal immigration (SEVIS) record curricular practical training (CPT) that is an integral part of the student's degree program. On August 12, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security sent all Designated School Officials at all U.S. colleges and universities a broadcast message that instructed Designated School Officials to: "Only authorize CPT if its absence would make the attainment of a degree an impossibility and if the work associated with CPT is required for all students pursuing that degree." This is the first definition of "integral" that the government has provided for CPT. Prior to this broadcast message, the university defined which training experiences were integral to the university's curriculum. At this time, the Designated School Officials at Florida State University's Center for Global Engagement will only provide CPT approval for degree programs that strictly require training, such as: - Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (1,000 hours of work experience) - Master of Science in Planning (400 hours in a professional planning internship) - Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (2-year practicum). The CGE will no longer approve training opportunities that are not required of every student in the same degree program. If there is a degree requirement that can be satisfied through coursework rather than training that requires CPT, international students in F-1 status must choose the coursework option. This includes the university's formative experience requirement for undergraduate students. Please note that on-campus training opportunities may not require CPT authorization if the student will not be exceeding their 20 hour per week maximum for all combined on-campus employment in Fall or Spring (including assistantship hours). Summer on-campus employment can exceed 20 hours per week if the student was enrolled in the previous Spring and will be enrolled in the following Fall at the same degree level.

When is CPT Necessary?

• The training is occurring with an off-campus employer or training site while the student is physically located in the U.S.
• Training is occurring with an on-campus employer or training site but the student’s combined on-campus paid employment will exceed 20 hours per week in Fall, Spring, or the semester in which the student is graduating.
• Student is located outside. the U.S. for the entire training period, the training is conducted at a company or institution located outside the U.S., and any payment for services is deposited into a financial account outside the U.S.

When is CPT Unnecessary?

• The training is only brief observation off-campus with a class that is visiting various locations with no payment or other compensation for services (meals, gift cards, lodging, etc.)
• The training is on-campus and unpaid.
• The training is on-campus, paid, but ALL combined paid on-campus employment and training is under 20 hours per week in Fall or Spring. 
• The training is on-campus, paid, and occurs in a summer semester that is not the student’s first or last semester of enrollment in the degree program. Combined on-campus employment can exceed 20 hours per week in this case.
• Conference, seminar, or other events where the student is not being compensated for services.
• Volunteering with an organization whose primary purpose is humanitarian or charitable in nature, without remuneration or other type of compensation in a position that would not normally be paid, when the student is not receiving academic credit at FSU.

Students should carefully document their permanent records with details of the above. USCIS may request documentation for training activities that do not have corresponding CPT authorization in a student’s federal immigration (SEVIS) record.

Limits on CPT Authorization

• Unless a graduate degree program strictly requires all students to conduct their required training in the first academic year of their degree program and this requirement is outlined in the university bulletin, students are not eligible for CPT in their first academic year (Fall and Spring or Spring and Fall).
• No more than 364 days of accumulated full-time CPT will be approved throughout the student’s entire degree program. More than 20 hours per week is considered full-time for immigration purposes.
• Part-time CPT (20 hours per week or less) is limited by the maximum semesters permitted by the academic department for completion of the particular degree requirement. 
• CPT requests may cover one full semester or any smaller period of time within that semester.
• CPT will not be approved if a student is not making normal academic progress toward degree completion or if the demands of previously approved CPT have caused delays in degree completion.
• CPT training/work must occur during the semester of the CPT authorization.
• Paid training cannot begin before CPT is authorized on the student’s I-20.
• Unpaid training occurring off-campus with associated FSU course enrollment should be authorized prior to the start date of the training. CGE will not terminate a student’s record for engaging in unpaid training prior to authorization, but this could impact future USCIS application processing decisions.
• Training activities and duties must be directly related to the student’s degree program.
• CPT requires enrollment in the course required for degree completion or documented to fulfill the training hour requirement.
• Students must enroll in courses required for completion of their degree in Fall, Spring, and their final/graduating semester while engaged in CPT.
• Training must be provided by a U.S. employer or U.S. branch of an international organization. If using a U.S. branch of an international employer, a representative from the U.S. branch must sign the CGE employer form.
   

CPT  Process:

1. Review the CPT information above.
2. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss whether training is an option in your academic program and which enrollment is appropriate.
3. If training is required for your academic program, work with your academic department to identify potential training sites and apply.
4. If offered a training opportunity, ask the training site to complete the CPT Employer Form below.
5. Provide a copy of the CPT Employer Form to your academic advisor so that they can determine whether a recommendation for CPT is appropriate given the position and duties. Ask your academic advisor to complete the appropriate CPT Advisor Form. 
6. Enroll in the appropriate coursework as determined by your academic advisor.
7. Complete your Student CPT Application.
8.  Submit all three completed CPT forms by uploading them in Nole Start, https://istart.fsu.edu 
   • Student CPT Application
   • CPT Employer Form
   • CPT Advisor Form
9. If you are eligible for CPT, your CGE advisor will send you a new I-20 that shows the CPT authorization (with name and address of employer, dates of employment, and full-time/part-time authorization). Allow two weeks for processing.
10. Show your I-20 with CPT authorization to your training site to show that you are authorized for work. If you will be paid by the training site, you will also need to show your I-94 and your passport.
11. If your training site will pay you, you will need to apply for a Social Security number with your I-20 showing CPT authorization, your printed I-94, and your passport. 
    • CGE SSN Information (F-1)
    • CGE SSN Information (J-1)

CPT FAQ