F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

To obtain CPT, a student must:
• Be in valid F-1 immigration status for at least three quarters.
• Be enrolled in one of the four associate degree programs offered at Taylor Business Institute.
• Have completed at least one academic year as a full-time student in a SEVIS-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary immediately prior to the CPT authorization.
• Secure an academically appropriate internship offer directly related to the student’s field of study. NOTE: Positions must be appropriate to the student’s level of study and major field of study. Retail sales, food service, and other unskilled positions will be denied.
• Obtain CPT authorization BEFORE beginning employment; authorization cannot be back-dated.
• Be enrolled concurrently for classes full-time at Taylor Business Institute while working off-campus on CPT authorization.
Additionally, the student’s supervisor for the internship cannot be an F-1 student.

CPT internship is not a requirement to complete the degree program, however, CPT is authorized only for students enrolled in one of the four associate degree programs at TBI. CPT authorization is awarded only for part-time employment. Currently, the following associate degree programs at Taylor Business Institute have been identified as eligible for CPT:
• Accounting Technician
• Criminal Justice and Security Administration
• Electronics Engineering Technology
• Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Enrollment in the course must be concurrent with the employment. Employment may take place at any time of the year. Authorization will be granted on a six-month basis. However, if a student wishes to work for a period longer than the six-month, they must meet with their academic advisor (Dean) and the DSO before authorization can be extended beyond the six-month period (see Application Process

• CPT authorization is limited and awarded only for part-time (20 hours per week or less) employment.
• Full-time (20 hours or more per week) employment may be allowed for one-quarter only during a student’s break/vacation period.

Note: Because CPT is part of the academic program of study, CPT is counted separately from on-campus employment, and CPT work hours do not impact on-campus employment work hours.

Important! CPT Processing Time: The standard processing for all student requests, including CPT, is three business days (excluding weekends and holidays). Please keep this in mind as you plan your employment start date. Expedites are not available and we are unable to back-date CPT start dates. DO NOT begin any employment until CPT has been approved and authorized on your I-20. Beginning or continuing employment without authorization is a serious violation of your F-1 status. Incomplete applications may cause CPT to be denied or delayed.

1. Work with your academic adviser (Dean) and complete the Advisor’s Recommendation sections of the CPT Application Form.
2. Print and attach your current class schedule and transcript to the CPT Application Form. Please note: You must have a completed CPT Application Form along with the required documents attached before coming to the education office if submitting your CPT request in person (you can also submit it by mail or email it to registrar@tbiil.edu).
3. Provide a Verification Letter from your employer. Your employer must print and complete the CPT Template Letter (page 3 of the CPT request form) on their company letterhead. We will only accept a properly completed template letter. CPT applications without the Template Letter will be DENIED. The employment start and end dates on the letter must match the start and end dates on the CPT request form.
4. Submit the CPT Application Form, employment verification letter, class schedule and official transcript to the academic advisor (Dean), either in person or via email to registrar@tbiil.edu. Academic Adviser will review your application and your eligibility. If approved, the authorization is granted by issuing a new I-20 with the employer’s information notated on page 2 of the document.
5. Pick up your new I-20 at the International Student Office (ISO) three business days after submitting your application. The I-20 is shown to the employer as evidence of work authorization.

To extend CPT beyond the six-month period, complete the Application Process steps 1-6 again. An extension of CPT authorization cannot be granted until proof of continued enrollment is available. Students who wish to extend their CPT should consult with the academic advisor (Dean) and the DSO at Taylor Business Institute.

For paid CPT, students will need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). You will apply after you get the CPT I-20. For more information about this process, please refer to our Social Security Number page.