International Student Services

Curricular Practical Training

What is CPT | CPT Eligibility | Details for CPT | When To Apply

We encourage students to watch the CPT Video Series about Curricular Practical Training to learn about this benefit of their F-1 visa.

What is CPT?

Curricular Practical Training is an opportunity for students on F-1 visas to learn practical skills related to their majors while studying at the University of Washington. CPT serves as a work authorization as students engage in different types of activities related to their major. Common forms of CPT are listed below:

  • Employment directly connected to your major
  • A paid or unpaid internship
  • A Cooperative (co-op) education experience
  • Participation in a Practicum

CPT Eligibility

Students are eligible for CPT when they meet the following requirements:

  • Have active F-1 status.
    • CPT cannot begin before the start date of an I-20 document.
  • Have completed one year (three academic quarters) of full-time academic study in the U.S.
  • Are making normal academic progress.
  • Have obtained a job/internship offer letter by the time you request CPT.
    • You will be asked to submit a copy of your Job Offer Letter with your request in MyISSS. We have a CPT Job Offer Letter Template if you or your employer need one.
  • Are registered for CPT credits for the internship/job offer
    • Note: Some programs may have required internships/practicums that may not require credits. You will note this exception in your CPT application.

Details for CPT

  • Hours
    • Part-time CPT is 20 hours per week or less.
    • Full-time CPT is over 20 hours a week.
  • Changes to CPT
    • Any changes to your CPT (i.e. shortening CPT, canceling CPT, or extending OPT) require a new application that must be approved by your academic department.
  • Course Registration
    • As CPT is curricular, you will need to be registered for your CPT courses to obtain CPT authorization from ISS.
    • CPT authorizations that overlap do not require a credit for each authorization.
  • Deferring CPT Credit 
    • Students doing CPT in summer (annual vacation quarter) may defer credit to autumn quarter (with approval from the student’s academic department).
    • ISS will not approve CPT without autumn quarter enrollment.
  • Timing 
    • No CPT authorization can extend into two quarters.
      • Extending CPT into a new quarter requires a new CPT application and new credits.
    • CPT can continue into breaks, if authorized.

When to Apply

  1. First register for your CPT credit. 
  2. After you register for your CPT credit, submit your CPT application to ISS.  
CPT Quarter Winter 2023 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 

(Dates only for if you plan to take CPT credit in summer 2023)
Class registration opens; ISS begins accepting CPT applications:  November 4 February 10 April 10

 

Apply for CPT through MyISSS

CPT Authorization Dates: 

  • These are the earliest and latest possible CPT authorization dates for each quarter. 
  • Quarter breaks can be included before or after a quarter’s CPT request. 
  • Internships/jobs longer than one quarter require two separate CPT applications. 

 

CPT Quarter:  Autumn 2022 Winter 2023  Spring 2023 Summer 2023 
Earliest possible start date:  August 20, 2022 December 17, 2022   March 18, 2023 June 10, 2023
Latest possible end date:  January 2, 2023 March 26, 2023   June 18, 2023 September 26, 2023