Click here to download and read the CPT Instructions before applying for CPT.

Please read carefully and make sure you clearly understand these reporting requirements that you agreed to comply with, when you applied for CPT.  It is your sole responsibility to comply with them as part of your practical training benefits.

• While on CPT, you are still legally required to report certain information to the International Student & Study Abroad Services office.  The time it takes to process these reports by our office will never be an excuse for the non-compliance of this requirement by the student in a practical training period and in certain cases the SEVIS record could be terminated.
• Such updates include a change in address - or if your CPT ends early for any reason (either by your choosing, or if you were terminated from the internship), or if you wish to switch to a new employer with a new internship. All of these changes must be reported to your international student advisor and to the Career Center.

• You may be eligible if you are currently in F-1 status and have been in your program at NDSU for 1 full academic year. If student has not met this minimum, student will not be considered eligible for CPT and the application will be denied.
• One (1) full academic year means a Fall and Spring semester - summer is not counted as a term for these purposes. 
• You may apply for CPT a few months before you are eligible - but you may not start it until after you have served your full academic year of F-1 eligbility at NDSU.
• NDSU does not offer immediate CPT participation - the only exception under the regulations for this is for graduate students who are required to do an internship in their first year of their program. To the best of our knowledge, no program currently exists at NDSU that requires all graduate students in their first year to complete an internship. Thus, no immediate CPT participation is possible for any F-1 student at NDSU.
• Amount of Hours Defined: Part-Time (20 or less hours); Full-Time (21+ hours)

CPT During Summer: In general, full-time CPT is possible for both undergraduate and graduate level students during summer.  There may be exceptions to this where it is not allowed (such as a new student in their first year, or a student graduating in summer and using summer as their final term). 

CPT During the Academic Year (Fall or Spring semesters):

• Undergraduates are always limited to Part-Time CPT during the academic year. 
• Graduate students:
  • Part-Time CPT (if not yet done with coursework), but limited to 20 hours a week, including both on-campus and off-campus hours (assistantship+CPT, etcetera).
  • Full-Time CPT during the academic year is possible, as long as coursework is already completed and an approved Plan of Study is on file with the Graduate School. The Plan of Study is required so that the ISSAS office can verify coursework completion. 

Master's students in non-thesis (coursework only) options:  Plan C (coursework only) are not eligible for full-time CPT during the regular semester at any time.  Once coursework is complete and student will graduate that term, CPT must stop. 

1. To apply for CPT, you must complete the application packet exactly as indicated.  Failure to follow all instructions may result in denial of the application or delay of approval.  Submitting an application for CPT does not automatically guarantee the granting of CPT. The CPT instructions and application form are found on our Forms page.
2. The authorization request for CPT is a process that involves the offices of International Student Services and the Career and Advising Center, so it takes time.  Again, plan carefully before you apply.
3. CPT authorization requests cannot be processed on Friday for a Monday start, for example. CPT requests are not expedited for any reason. You will be required to allow the needed time for processing (7-10 business days).

Students authorized for CPT will receive a new I-20 with CPT authorization indicated on the 3rd page.  This is the student’s work authorization for employment purposes.  The student must not start working until they have the CPT I-20 Form authorized for those specific dates.

Yes, there are a few cases where CPT may not be possible. Here are some common examples - including the situations below but not limited to the following:

1. You are a new student who just arrived at NDSU
2. The position you have applied for is not an internship or practicum
3. You think the position might be an internship, but it does *not* say so in the job offer letter from your employer. You will be required to obtain an updated offer letter, if it indeed is an internship/practicum.
4. Your academic advisor/department chair does not approve of you doing this internship (CPT). CPT cannot be granted without the permission of your department because it is "curricular" practical training and should be integral to your major/program.
5. You have already previously extended your I-20 at NDSU. No CPT after an I-20 Extension.
6. You appear to be extending your I-20 or delaying your program completion only for purposes of applying for CPT and/or subsequently OPT.

If ever in doubt, review this page, and the instructions and application to the corresponding Practical Training as well as the other US government links that we have included here.  The student is responsible for understanding F-1 rules regarding CPT and properly maintaining F-1 status.

Step 1. Complete this survey to record that you have read the Mandatory Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Reading Material on this page, including any PDF documents we have included. We will keep this information on file to review upon application for practical training or for advising requests.

Step 2. CLICK HERE if you completed the Mandatory Reading Material and are ready to apply for CPT. This link will take you to our Forms page, where you will find the CPT application.

Click here to return to the main F-1 Off-Campus Employment page.