CPT Time Limits & Dates

CPT Time Limits

You may be approved for CPT multiple times during your degree program. At all times, you must continue to make satisfactory progress toward completing your degree program. Satisfactory progress is defined by each school/college or department. Definitions can be found in the UW-Madison Guide. You must also meet the CPT eligibility requirements each time you request authorization.

If you are authorized for 365+ days of full-time CPT, you are not eligible for post-completion OPT at the same degree level. Please click here for the regulations. 

Accumulating part-time CPT generally does not affect your eligibility for post-completion OPT. However, please know that U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) will review an OPT applicant’s entire CPT history when determining OPT eligibility.

You can download this CPT Calculator to track how much CPT you have used at this degree level and to determine your post-completion OPT eligibility.

Part-Time versus Full-Time CPT

Part-time and full-time practical training is defined by immigration as:

• Part-time CPT- 20 hours or less per week
• Full-time CPT- more than 20 hours per week

Your CPT must be authorized for either part-time or full-time. If there is a change in the number of hours per week you work that will change your part-time or full-time authorization, you must have new CPT authorization before you change your work schedule. A change in part-time/full-time CPT authorization requires a new CPT application.

You must be simultaneously enrolled in classes full-time and be physically present on campus in order to maintain lawful F-1 status during fall and winter terms.

CPT Dates

CPT is typically authorized one semester at a time and is based on your CPT course enrollment confirmation, or your department’s required practical training experience.

You must have an I-20 with valid CPT authorization dates to engage in your practical training experience.

General CPT Date Requirements:

• Earliest start date: must be after one year of full-time enrollment during consecutive fall/spring semesters
• End date: must end on or before your I-20 end date

Shorten Your Authorized CPT Dates

If you need to shorten the dates of your CPT authorization, you must submit a new CPT Request in Terra Dotta. If you have questions or are facing difficulties please send an information request to your ISS Advisor. It is not possible to change your CPT dates after your CPT authorization has ended. 

Extend Your Authorized CPT Dates

If you need to extend the dates of your CPT authorization, it is your responsibility to contact ISS. In most cases, course enrollment must first be verified before CPT authorization can be granted. If the CPT experience will extend beyond the semester for which you have been authorized, you may request an extension. 

In order to continue to process CPT extensions remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic during April 2020, we have updated the process to ensure immigration compliance.

To request a CPT extension, students must submit a CPT request form in Terra Dotta. This new form will require an advisor to verify that the CPT request is connected to program requirements or coursework and is connected to their academic plan.