Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option available to F-1 students when the training (work experience, internship, volunteer, or practicum) is considered to be part of an integral part of the established curriculum and directly related to the student’s program of study.

The training opportunity must be required for the student’s program of study or the student must receive academic course credit.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Students must be in good academic standing and making normal academic progress towards their degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (undergraduates) or 3.0 (graduates).
  • Students must have also completed two full-time semesters as an F-1 student to be eligible.
  • Students cannot begin their training opportunity until they receive their new I-20 form authorizing the specific CPT start date with a specific employer for a certain time period.
  • CPT will only be authorized one semester or break period at a time so that UNLV can ensure that students are maintaining valid F-1 status and are in good academic standing.
  • Students are only allowed to work during the authorized period listed on their Form I-20.
  • If continuing a training opportunity beyond one semester/break period, students must apply for a CPT extension at least five business days before the end date of their currently authorized CPT period.
  • For immigration purposes, full-time employment means anything over 20 hours/week; students are only allowed to participate in part-time (20 hours/week) CPT during the regular fall and spring semesters. 365 days of full-time CPT will make the student ineligible to apply for Optional Practical Training.

Application Procedure

  • Step 1: Student attends at least one CPT workshop
  • Step 2: Student passes the at least once
  • Step 3: Employer completes the
  • Step 4: Student completes the Student Request Form in the and uploads the Employer Verification Form
  • Step 5: The student’s Academic/Career Advisor will review the Student Request and Employer Verification Form in the International Student and Scholar Services Portal for approval.
  • Note: If the student is applying for CPT in addition to on-campus work, a completed must be submitted as well.
  • Step 6: International Student and Scholar Services will review the completed CPT request in the International Student and Scholar Services Portal and either approve or deny the request
  • Step 7: Student can begin the training opportunity once he/she has received the new I-20 with CPT authorization

Special Cases

  • Students in their final semester with an from International Student and Scholar Services can apply for full-time CPT as long as it is required for the student’s program of study or the student receives academic course credit.
  • Students who wish to work on-campus in addition to an off-campus CPT must meet higher GPA requirements of 3.0 (undergraduates) and have support from their academic/faculty advisor. Graduate assistants must also have support from the G.A. supervisor. (Complete ).
    • Note: GAs must comply with Grad College limit of 30 total hours (20 hour GA + 10 hours CPT)
  • In general, students cannot be authorized for more than one CPT opportunity at the same time. Exceptions include short-term (less than one week) events which require CPT authorizations, and also during a student’s final semester of study (with an authorized reduced course load).