Washington, D.C. On August 12, 2026 and August 24, 2026 the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published two broadcast messages that significantly narrow F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) eligibility standards.
The first Broadcast Message 2608-01 says at one point that CPT may be granted only if the CPT training “is indeed a core and essential part of the student’s studies, without which, they would be unable to complete their degree,” and tells DSOs to “Only authorize CPT if its absence would make the attainment of a degree an impossibility and if the work associated with CPT is required for all students pursuing that degree.” It also outlines possible consequences and DSO and school liabilities regarding CPT practices if it determines that “school officials are abusing CPT to create work opportunities rather than academic studies.”
- Read below: SEVP Broadcast Message 2608-01 (August 12, 2026): Reminder of Liability for DSOs Regarding CPT Authorization
The second Broadcast Message 2608-02 presents similar information in a Question and Answer format, but gets into more detail. One Q and A states: “In any instance where an elective course is optional, making the CPT optional, the integral and required aspects of CPT would not be met. CPT is an integral part of an established curriculum, and the practical training is required for all students participating in that curriculum, regardless of citizenship.” To support its premise, Broadcast Message 2608-02 even cites a Merriam Webster online dictionary entry that defines “integral” as “essential to completeness” giving the example of “an integral part of the curriculum.”
- Read Below: SEVP Broadcast Message 2608-02 (August 24, 2026): Guidance for Designated School Officials regarding Curricular Practical Training
“Broadcast Message: Reminder of Liability for DSOs Regarding CPT Authorization
To: PDSOs and DSOs at SEVP-certified schools
Date: August 12, 2026
BCM Number: 2608-01
General Information
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) reminds all designated school officials (DSOs) of their responsibilities regarding curricular practical training (CPT) authorization as well as increased program oversight concerning the proper use of CPT. SEVP has observed a rise in CPT authorizations that do not meet regulatory requirements, specifically those not constituting an integral part of an established curriculum. As a result, the program is increasing its scrutiny of CPT approvals to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Please carefully read and review the following information:
- CPT must be integral to the curriculum: DSOs can only authorize CPT when the training is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly related to the student’s major area of study. CPT cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment or for experiences that are not required or otherwise formally recognized as part of the academic program.SEVP reserves the right to request documentation and other evidence from DSOs to identify whether CPT is indeed a core and essential part of the student’s studies, without which, they would be unable to complete their degree. While SEVP recognizes that the school, not the U.S. government, defines what is and is not required to complete a degree, SEVP is also committed to identifying and investigating schools that attempt to undermine or purposely bypass federal regulations or oversight.DSOs are reminded that F nonimmigrant students are, by their own attestation under penalty of perjury, here in the United States “solely for the purpose of pursuing a full program of study.” If SEVP suspects that school officials are abusing CPT to create work opportunities rather than academic studies, they may be subject to additional scrutiny and action from SEVP and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to include potential withdrawal of the school’s SEVP certification.
- DSO certification and legal responsibility: When you sign or re-sign the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” to authorize CPT, you are certifying under penalty of perjury that all information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. This includes confirming that CPT is required or otherwise integral to the student’s curriculum.
Potential liability: Improper CPT authorization, such as for non-integral purposes, may subject both the institution and individual DSO to administrative or legal consequences. This includes withdrawal of SEVP certification and potential penalties for providing false information or misrepresenting the nature of the training.
Actions requested: After reviewing the above information, DSOs should:
- Carefully review all CPT requests and your institution’s current academic requirements across all fields of study.
- Ensure that CPT is only authorized when it is truly integral to the program. Only authorize CPT if its absence would make the attainment of a degree an impossibility and if the work associated with CPT is required for all students pursuing that degree.
- Maintain thorough records supporting the curricular necessity of each CPT authorization.
- Consult with your SEVP field representative if you have questions about a specific case.
Employers, DSOs, students and members of the public can report suspected employment fraud, practical training fraud, or other instances of foreign students or certified schools abusing federal regulations directly to SEVP via email at SEVPFraud@hsi.dhs.gov.
For questions about this message, please contact the SEVP Response Center (SRC) via phone at 703-603-3400 or 1-800-892-4829 or via email at SEVP@ice.dhs.gov. The SRC is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, except for federal holidays.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued commitment to regulatory compliance.
Disclaimer
The Broadcast Message is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a rule or a final action by SEVP. It is not intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party in any administrative, civil, or criminal matter.”
“Broadcast Message: Guidance for Designated School Officials regarding Curricular Practical Training
To: PDSOs and DSOs at SEVP-certified Schools
Date: August 24, 2026
BCM Number: 2608-02
General Information
On August 12, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued Broadcast Message 2608-01 . This broadcast informed all Designated School Officials (DSOs) that SEVP has observed a rise in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations that appear to violate regulatory requirements which permit CPT only where the training is an integral part of an established curriculum. Accurate and timely reporting by schools and students allows SEVP to manage the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a critical tool in SEVP’s mission to protect national security and ensure the integrity of the nation’s educational and cultural exchange programs. Failure to comply with SEVP regulations may result in an institution losing certification to enroll foreign students.
The guidance below provides additional information on how CPT operates as an integral and required part of an educational experience.
1. How is CPT defined in regulation?
A foreign student may be authorized by a DSO to participate in a CPT program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined as alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
2. How is CPT different from Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is training that is not an integral part of a student’s established curriculum. OPT is not intended to fulfill requirements of a student’s program of study and successful program completion does not require participation in OPT; it is optional. In contrast, CPT fulfills an integral element of an established curriculum and successful completion is contingent on participation in CPT. As defined by Merriam-Webster, “integral” means “essential to completeness” as in, “an integral part of the curriculum.”
3. Can CPT be offered as a part of an elective course?
In any instance where an elective course is optional, making the CPT optional, the integral and required aspects of CPT would not be met. CPT is an integral part of an established curriculum, and the practical training is required for all students participating in that curriculum, regardless of citizenship.
4. Because CPT is allowed only where the training is an integral part of an established curriculum, does that mean that all students enrolled in the established curriculum must participate in and complete practical training?
Yes. Unlike OPT, participation in CPT is not optional for any student participating in an established curriculum that the school has determined requires CPT as an integral part of the educational experience. This means that all students – foreign and American – are required to participate in practical training if they are enrolled in an established curriculum where practical training is integral. While auditing and investigating schools to ensure compliance, SEVP has noted that some institutions have described CPT as if it is optional practical training and not integral, despite clear regulatory requirements. SEVP has also discovered that some institutions have not required all students enrolled in the same established curriculum to participate in practical training, despite clear regulatory requirements that CPT is permitted only where the practical training is an integral part of an established curriculum. Prior broadcast messages have clearly made this distinction between CPT and OPT and reminded DSOs of the integral and required elements of CPT.
5. Are foreign students required to proactively request CPT authorization from their DSO?
Yes. Foreign students must make an official request for authorization for CPT to their DSO so that the school can confirm that the student is participating in an established curriculum where practical training is integral, make a determination that the training is directly related to the student’s major area of study, and update the student’s SEVIS record to ensure that DHS can conduct proper oversight as required under federal law. A DSO’s failure to maintain these verification and record-keeping requirements may face significant SEVP sanctions. 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(10)(i); 214.3(l)(2); 214.4(a)(2).
6. Must all CPT be conducted by sponsoring employers that have established cooperative agreements with the school?
Yes. Schools should only enter into cooperative agreements with legitimate, bona fide employers who are able to provide a quality practical training experience to students.
CPT students should have access to practical training managed by an employer who has entered into a cooperative agreement with a school where it is agreed the employer will sponsor the school’s students for specific training such as an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that is specific to the student’s major area of study. Students are not expected to obtain EADs for this training which is an integral and required part of the curriculum.
7. As a DSO, what are my options if I believe I am being pressured by school leadership to make questionable, improper, or otherwise noncompliant decisions and attestations on behalf of foreign students?
DSOs serve a critical role in upholding the integrity of the nation’s foreign student program and serve as important partners with the federal government. If you believe you are being asked, directed, coerced, or otherwise pressured to make attestations you feel do not comply with regulations, we want to hear from you. The new SEVP tipline serves as a confidential avenue for you to relay these concerns for further review by SEVP and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Please contact the SEVP Response Center (SRC) via phone at 703-603-3400 or 1-800-892-4829 or via email at SEVP@ice.dhs.gov . The SRC is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, except for federal holidays.
Disclaimer
The Broadcast Message is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a rule or a final action by SEVP. It is not intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party in any administrative, civil, or criminal matter.”
Note: This is a blog post by Adhikari Law PLLC and should NOT be construed as a legal advice. Changes in immigration policies and procedures are complex and may require a consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer.
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