Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

International Students

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 – 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 can be considered as legal work and a student’s I-20 and SEVIS record can 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.
  • 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.