Understanding the Difference between CPT and OPT For Working Students in America

Every student coming to the USA, or the ones who are studying here, often wonder whether they can legally work as a student on their visa in America. If yes, then how can they work after graduating?

Indeed, students are all excited to work and make some quick bucks at the same time. A large number of students come to USA to work and earn a dream job. If you are on a student F1 visa, you can work on-campus in the USA. In addition, you can also work post 9 months after entering the USA. You can also work with several options under guided practical training, also known as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) – What is it?

CPT is mainly for students who want to work as well as gain experience in their respective field of study while they are working. Generally, most schools in the USA allow students to start working on their CPT after the 2^nd semester or after 9 months of entering the country. It is necessary that students work with their respective academic department of specific school within the same university in order to get the CPT.

Typically, you can get credits for working under CPT – it means you can be a part of the degree requirement credits for an award of your degree. In addition, you can also consider this to be your legal right to work for potential employers who want to give you an opportunity while you are still studying. Typically, this system is called Internship or Co-op for employers when they offer a job. You can even get paid when you are working on CPT.

However, there are some schools that don’t allow CPT if you are not residing in the locality or city. Also, you can work in CPT only up to your graduation period. You need to work with the Designated School Official (DSO) or the International Student Adviser for processing CPT application and issue a new I-20 that indicates the same. Students shouldn’t work for more than a year (12 months) in CPT. In case if they do so, they cannot get OTP.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – What is it?

OPT has been designed to offer an opportunity to students to work in their respective field of education. It’s a training given for a span of 12 months for degree holders with an additional option to extend the same for 17 months only for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Degree holders.

There are 2 types of OPT:

• Pre-completion OPT: This is something that students can use to work only in their specific area of study before graduation.


• Post-completion OPT: In this case, students can work in their specific field of study after graduation.

Students who opt for pre-completion OPT, their respective time limit is deducted from their 12 months OPT time limit. Students can then take up part-time work for up to 20 hours on pre-completion.

Major Differences between CPT and OPT

• In case of CPT, there are credits that can be earned for degree program completed. For example, if you’ve enrolled in a credit part-time CPT for 3 seasons, you can get 3 credits that is added to your degree total credits. Whereas, OPT has no such credit system.


• CPT can be utilized only as a part of your degree program when you are already enrolled in a full-time school. Whereas, OPT is a scheme that can be used when you are still in school but using pre-completion OPT option and post-completion option after graduation.