CPT Employer Documents Checklist (2026): Offer Letter & More

Many CPT delays have nothing to do with eligibility. They happen because the paperwork is missing or doesn't match: an offer letter with the wrong dates, a job description that never mentions your degree, or an employer who won't sign your school's form.

This toolkit gives you three tools to get the paperwork right before you submit your CPT request:

1. A recruiter-question checklist
2. A school-document checklist
3. A job-duties and coursework worksheet

2026 update: In August 2026, SEVP issued Broadcast Messages 2608-01 and 2608-02. They tell schools to authorize CPT only when the training is a required part of the curriculum and is offered through an employer that has a cooperative agreement with the school. University groups have challenged this guidance in federal court, and no ruling had been issued at the time of writing. See our breakdown of the 2026 CPT changes.

What documents do you need for CPT?

CPT is authorized by your school's Designated School Official (DSO), not by USCIS. Your employer does not file a petition.

Most schools ask for the following:

• An employer offer letter on company letterhead. It should state your job title, duties, hours per week, start and end dates, work location, and supervisor.
• A signed cooperative agreement or employer certification form from your school.
• Your school's CPT request form, plus proof that you are enrolled in the required internship or practicum course.
• Academic approval from your advisor or department.

You may start work only after your DSO issues an updated Form I-20. That I-20 lists your employer, work location, dates, and whether the CPT is part-time or full-time.

Requirements vary by school, so always use your school's own forms.

Tool 1: Recruiter-question checklist

Ask these questions before you accept an offer. A "no" to any of the first three is worth discussing with your DSO right away.

• Will you sign my school's cooperative agreement or CPT employer form? Under SEVP's 2026 guidance, this is now central to CPT approval.
• Can the offer letter show exact start and end dates that fall within my academic term?
• How many hours per week is the role? This determines whether your CPT is part-time or full-time. Your school defines the cutoff, which is often 20 hours.
• What is the exact work address? Is the role remote or hybrid? Your I-20 lists a location, so ask your DSO how your school handles remote work.
• Who will supervise me, and can they confirm in writing that the duties relate to my program?
• Can the job description name the specific skills I'm building in my courses?
• Are you the direct employer, or is this a placement through a third party? SEVP has told schools to work only with bona fide employers that can provide real training.
• If the role continues next term, will you sign new paperwork? Many schools authorize CPT one term at a time.

If an employer hesitates, our guide on how to convince your employer to accept Day 1 CPT explains the process in employer-friendly terms.

Tool 2: School-document checklist

Consistency rule: The employer name, dates, hours, and location must match across your offer letter, cooperative agreement, and CPT form. Mismatches are among the most common reasons for delays.

Tool 3: Job-duties and coursework worksheet

CPT must relate directly to your major, and your school must be able to see that connection on paper. Fill in this worksheet. Then ask your employer to reflect the duties column in the offer letter.

The example rows are illustrations only. Use your actual course codes and duties.

Tips for a stronger job description:

• Use concrete verbs such as "design," "analyze," and "build." Avoid vague phrases like "assist with various tasks."
• Match terminology to your course catalog and your major as it appears on your I-20.
• Keep duties at a training level that matches your program, not unrelated general labor.

If you are still choosing a program, see how to choose the right Day 1 CPT major for your job.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Starting work before your updated I-20 is issued, even for "orientation" or "training."
• Changing employers, locations, or dates without new authorization from your DSO.
• Relying on an elective internship course. Under SEVP's 2026 guidance, optional courses generally do not meet the "integral and required" standard.
• Ignoring the OPT trade-off. One year or more of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for post-completion OPT.

If your employer won't sign, read what to do when your employer won't sign the CPT documents.

Frequently asked questions

Does my employer need to sponsor me or file anything with USCIS for CPT?

No. Your DSO authorizes CPT in SEVIS, and you don't need a separate work permit (EAD). Your employer's role is to provide an offer letter and sign your school's cooperative agreement or employer form.

What should a CPT offer letter include?

A CPT offer letter should be on company letterhead and include:

• Your job title and specific duties
• Hours per week
• Start and end dates
• Work address
• Supervisor's name and contact details
• An authorized signature

Some schools also want a statement that the role relates to your major.

What is a CPT cooperative agreement?

It is a document in which the employer agrees with your school to provide practical training that is part of your curriculum. The regulation does not define its exact form, so each school uses its own template. Since August 2026, SEVP has emphasized that all CPT should run through employers with these agreements.

Can I start working before my I-20 is updated?

No. You may begin CPT only after you receive the I-20 with your DSO's CPT endorsement, and not before the start date shown on it.

Does Day 1 CPT still work after the 2026 SEVP guidance?

It depends on your program. CPT generally must be required of all students in the degree, and your employer may need a cooperative agreement with your school. The guidance is being challenged in court, so confirm your school's current policy before you enroll or accept an offer. See our Day 1 CPT FAQ for more.

Can I use CPT for a remote job?

Your I-20 lists a work location, and schools handle remote and hybrid roles differently. Ask your DSO before you accept a remote offer.

Next step

Want to see which employers commonly work with Day 1 CPT students? Browse our Day 1 CPT employers guide, or book a consultation to review your documents with an advisor.

Sources

• eCFR, 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-214/section-214.2#p-214.2(f)(10) (CPT definition, cooperative agreements, I-20 endorsement, one-year full-time CPT/OPT rule)
• Study in the States, “Training Opportunities in the United States”: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/training-opportunities-in-the-united-states (DSO authorizes CPT in SEVIS and issues an updated I-20)
• ICE/SEVP Broadcast Message 2608-02 (Aug 24, 2026): https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bcm_260802.pdf (cooperative agreements, bona fide employers, elective courses). Confirm this link resolves before publishing.
• AAU v. DHS litigation status: https://henryknows.info/news/ and https://www.internationalstudent.us/news-updates/lawsuit-filed-challenging-sevps-recent-cpt-restrictions/ (Nov 6 hearing; no ruling at the time of writing)