CPT vs OPT: what is the difference?
US federal rules as of October 30, 2026. Sources re-checked against official pages on October 30, 2026. Where a figure could not be confirmed, this page links the official source instead of stating it.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work that is part of your degree programme, authorised by your school. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work related to your major, authorised by USCIS through an EAD. CPT is employer- and course-specific; OPT is more flexible but limited to 12 months, with a possible STEM extension.
Side by side
| CPT | OPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Authorised by | Your school (DSO) | USCIS (Form I-765, EAD) |
| Tied to | The curriculum | Your major |
| When | During your programme | Before or after completion |
| Form I-765 needed | No | Yes |
| Extension | Not applicable | STEM OPT, 24 months |
What is the catch?
Per the regulation, 12 months or more of full-time CPT can make you ineligible for OPT. Part-time CPT does not have this effect (ICE SEVP and USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 2 Part F Ch. 5, via search excerpt, checked 2026-10-30; see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)). Confirm with your DSO before accepting a full-time CPT job.
Which is right?
It depends on your programme, timing and employer. Your DSO decides on CPT; you apply for OPT.
How do the two compare in the SEVP rules?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) page for school officials (last updated August 24, 2026) draws these lines:
| CPT | OPT | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or another required internship or practicum offered through cooperative agreements with the school | Training directly related to your major that is not an integral part of your curriculum |
| Timing | Before the program end date on your Form I-20 | Before or after the program end date |
| Who authorizes | The DSO authorizes it in SEVIS and it prints on your Form I-20 | The DSO recommends it in SEVIS and USCIS authorizes it with an EAD |
| Employer | One specific employer for a specific period | Any employer, as long as the work relates to your major |
| Job offer first? | Yes, you must secure the opportunity before CPT can be authorized | No, the DSO can recommend OPT before you have a job |
| Employer paperwork | A signed cooperative agreement or letter from the employer | None at the recommendation stage |
What is the step-by-step for CPT?
- Find the training opportunity first.
- Get the employer's signed cooperative agreement or letter.
- Make an official request to your DSO, who confirms that you are in an established curriculum where practical training is integral and that the work relates directly to your major.
- Wait for the DSO to authorize CPT in SEVIS. Do not start before the start date printed on your Form I-20.
- If you have more than one employer or more than one segment, each needs its own CPT authorization.
What is the step-by-step for OPT?
USCIS says you generally ask your DSO to recommend OPT, then file Form I-765 with the correct fee and documents. For initial post-completion OPT you must file within 30 days of the DSO's recommendation entry, and you may file up to 90 days before you complete your degree but no later than 60 days after. You may not start until USCIS approves the form and you hold your EAD.
What are the traps?
- The SEVP page says one year of full-time CPT eliminates a student's eligibility for OPT.
- OPT periods cannot overlap, and students are eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT when they move to a higher education level.
- Moving to another school or starting a higher level ends your current OPT authorization automatically, according to USCIS.
Common mistakes
- Starting work "while the paperwork is being done". The CPT start date and the OPT EAD start date are the earliest you may work.
- Accepting a job offer before asking whether the course and employer fit CPT.
- Assuming a friend's CPT rules at another school apply to you. The DSO makes the call.
FAQ
Can I use both? Yes, within the limits above.
Which one counts as work experience for H-1B? Neither is automatic. Ask an attorney.
Can I have two CPT jobs at once? The SEVP page says a student can have more than one CPT authorization at the same time, with a separate authorization for each employer and each segment.
Does OPT need a job offer? Not to be recommended. SEVP says the student does not have to secure training before the DSO can recommend OPT. After post-completion OPT starts, unemployment days count; see OPT unemployment rules.
Where do I start? With your DSO at your school, before you accept any work.
Next step: OPT and STEM OPT guide.
Sources
- ICE Study in the States, curricular practical training, https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/fm-student-employment/f-1-curricular-practical-training-cpt, accessed 31 October 2026
- USCIS, Optional Practical Training for F-1 students, https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students, accessed 31 October 2026
- 8 CFR 214.2(f), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/section-214.2, live official page, linked for readers; link checked 2026-10-30, no figure is taken from it
- ICE SEVP, SEVIS Help Hub: F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/fm-student-employment/f-1-optional-practical-training-opt, accessed 31 October 2026
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.