Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is authorization for F-1 international students to complete any training off-campus that is required by a PCC course. Oftentimes, it is an internship, externship, practicum, clinicals or other work experience that occurs outside of a PCC campus. While a student can be paid for the training done while on CPT, payment is not a requirement for requesting CPT. A request for authorization for CPT must be made to the OISS SEVIS Coordinator. A student may begin CPT only after receiving their Form I-20 with CPT authorization.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for CPT, if you:

• are maintaining F-1 visa status and are in good academic standing
• were enrolled in a SEVIS-approved school in lawful non-immigrant status for at least 3 terms (9 months)
• are not studying in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program
• are in an Associate degree academic program
• have proposed training that is a required part of your program of study or required to gain admittance into a limited entry program (for example healthcare programs)
• are not in the first term at PCC
• have earned a minimum of 12 credits at Portland Community College (PCC) in the program of interest (major) prior to the term
  • Credits earned at another institution will not suffice to meet the eligibility requirements
  • Credits earned at another educational level will not suffice to meet the eligibility requirements

Procedure

If you wish to apply for CPT, you must follow the steps below:

1. Submit the SEVIS Request Form for ¡°Curricular Practical Training (CPT).¡± You will need to know the course number for which you are requesting CPT.
2. Upon confirmation of eligibility, the SEVIS Coordinator will email you the CPT Pre-Approval form for you to take when meeting your Co-op Education Advisor, Program Advisor, or Course Instructor. Additionally, the SEVIS Coordinator will email you the CPT Informed Consent and an additional form, depending which CPT-eligible class you will take.
   • CPT Eligible Courses ¨C You will work with a Co-op Ed Specialist, who will determine if you are eligible to earn credit for your off-campus training and will assist with completing the Cooperative Education Training Agreement. The Co-op Ed Specialist may also assist in making internship referrals.
     • CE Cooperative Education Courses (all 280 course numbers)
     • Pre-Health Studies Closed Program (CG 280A course number)
   • Limited Entry Degree Courses – You will work with your Program Advisor or Course Instructor, who will determine if you are eligible to earn credit for your off-campus training, will assist with completing the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Agreement. The Program Advisor or Course Instructor may also assist in making internship referrals.
     • Practicum courses in a closed program
     • Clinical courses in a closed program
3. Submit the completed Cooperative Education Training Agreement & Learning form OR the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Agreement
4. The OISS SEVIS Coordinator will email a new I-20 with the CPT authorization and dates to you when you are approved.
5. Upload the completed CPT Informed Consent form

Note: You cannot begin any off-campus training or work until you receive your I-20 with CPT authorization.

Deadline

Requests for CPT should be submitted 4 weeks before the beginning of the term when you want to begin CPT off-campus training. Requests received later will be considered, but the start date of CPT and the training might be delayed, due to processing times.

You must receive an I-20 with CPT authorization before beginning any off-campus training or work.

Allow for 3-5 working days to process CPT Requests. Expect delays around orientation for new students.

Additional Information

• Full-time CPT is only authorized if it is required for the course. Part-time CPT is most common for PCC students. USCIS defines full-time as more than 20 hours per week and part-time as 20 hours or less for F-1 international students.
• CPT can only be authorized during the academic term as defined by the Beginning of term and End of term on the Academic Calendar.
  • CPT cannot be retroactively approved.
  • Late requests will not be granted for the full term.
  • Any training completed before CPT is granted is considered as illegal work and a student¡¯s I-20 and SEVIS record will be terminated.
• CPT may not be an option for all students.
  • A student who is pursuing a transfer major/degree may not eligible for CPT.
• A student is not able to continue the same practical training they have held previously for OPT and/or related to previous academic study.
• A student must notify the SEVIS Coordinator immediately and receive a new I-20 if there are any planned changes to their employment information before those changes happen.
• Practical training can include internship experience (paid or unpaid), cooperative (co-op) education experience, practicum participation, etc.
• A student may apply for CPT during the regular academic year or during the annual vacation term. During the regular academic year, a student must remain registered full-time (at least 12 credits) while completing CPT (unless otherwise approved).
  • If a student is authorized for 12 months or more of full-time CPT, the student is not eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
  • CPT is only available prior to completion of a program of study.

This page is maintained by the OISS SEVIS Team.