F-1 Student Practical Training Eligibility

In general, a student is eligible to apply for CPT or OPT if they have completed two consecutive required semesters (usually fall and spring) in F-1 status.
Students studying Art Therapy or Dance/Movement Therapy are eligible for CPT their first semester, because the practical experience is required at that time in the curriculum.

Students transferring their F-1 SEVIS record from another institution may be eligible from an immigration standpoint to be eligible for CPT immediately, but requires academic departmental approval.

Certificate students are not eligible to apply for CPT. However, provided the program was at least one academic year (two semesters), certificate students are eligible for OPT.

Graduate students in the GID program and Undergraduate exchange students are not eligible for CPT or OPT.

Before taking a leave of absence or withdrawing, or if you are dismissed, it is critical to understand that the F-1 status “clock” resets when you have a break in immigration status with a termination of your I-20 and this affects eligibility for CPT and OPT.

When you return with a new I-20 and SEVIS ID, you then have to be full-time for one academic year (2 semesters) in order to receive CPT or OPT. If you are close to graduation when you break your immigration status, you may lose your CPT/OPT eligibility.

If you only have one semester remaining when you return, then you would no longer be eligible for CPT or OPT. If you have two semesters remaining, you would be eligible for OPT, but would not be eligible for CPT.

The below chart shows the number of semesters remaining after returning from leave and how it affects eligibility for off-campus practical training.