On August 12, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)—administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—issued Broadcast Message BCM 2608-01, a “Reminder of Liability for DSOs Regarding CPT Authorization” to all designated school officials (DSOs) and principal designated school officials (PDSOs) at SEVP-certified schools. The message signals a material shift in enforcement posture without changing the CPT regulation itself. Practitioners advising F-1 students and educational institutions must understand the heightened compliance expectations this broadcast introduces.
What changed
SEVP reminds DSOs of their responsibilities regarding curricular practical training (CPT) authorization and increased program oversight, noting that it has observed a rise in CPT authorizations that do not meet regulatory requirements—specifically those not constituting an integral part of an established curriculum—and that the program is increasing its scrutiny of CPT approvals to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
SEVP states it “has observed a rise in CPT authorizations that do not meet regulatory requirements, specifically those not constituting an integral part of an established curriculum,” and that it is “increasing its scrutiny of CPT approvals”. The message reiterates the core legal standard: CPT may be authorized only when the training “is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly related to the student’s major area of study,” and “cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment”.
Critically, it reminds DSOs they sign under penalty of perjury—when a DSO signs or re-signs a Form I-20 to authorize CPT, they certify the information is true, including that CPT is integral to the curriculum.
Why it matters
This broadcast message does not rewrite the CPT regulation. The message is not a new USCIS regulation and does not amend the CPT regulation. However, the practical significance is not that the text of the CPT regulation has changed—the significance is that the enforcement posture is changing.
For practitioners and their clients, this matters in four ways:
-
Heightened scrutiny for schools: SEVP is targeting schools that have authorized CPT broadly or loosely, particularly those using CPT as an employment vehicle rather than as a required curriculum component. Schools may become more cautious in authorizing CPT, creating delays or denials for students who would previously have qualified.
-
Personal liability for DSOs: The broadcast reinforces the legal stakes for both institutions and individuals—F-1 students are reminded that they attest under penalty of perjury to be in the United States solely for full-time study, and when a DSO signs or re-signs a Form I-20 to grant CPT, they are likewise certifying under penalty of perjury that the training is a required, integral component of the curriculum.
-
Day 1 CPT still permitted—but now at elevated risk: Day 1 CPT is still legal after the SEVP broadcast message—BCM 2608-01 is a compliance reminder to DSOs and states in its own disclaimer that it “is not itself a rule or a final action by SEVP,” and the graduate-studies exception that permits immediate CPT participation is unchanged, and DHS confirmed that it “does not prohibit or eliminate Day-1 CPT”. However, what changed is the level of enforcement attention and the documentation schools should expect to produce.
-
Retroactive review risk: In immigration practice, “not a new rule” does not mean “not important”—before publication, counsel should verify current SEVP and USCIS guidance on immediate CPT eligibility for graduate students and should not rely on school marketing materials as legal authority, and from an adjudication perspective, Day 1 CPT naturally raises a question: why did practical training need to begin on the first day.
Way forward
-
For students currently in CPT or considering it: Review your Form I-20 and CPT authorization with a licensed immigration attorney before relying on it. Confirm that your school’s authorization describes the training as genuinely integral to your degree—not as optional or supplemental. If your school has paused CPT authorizations in response to this message, contact SEVP directly at https://www.ice.gov/sevis or work with your school’s DSO to understand the timeline for resumption.
-
For schools and DSOs: Re-examine your CPT authorization procedures. If you wish to report practical training fraud or other instances of foreign students or certified schools abusing federal regulations, contact SEVP directly via email at SEVPFraud@hsi.dhs.gov or via phone at 703-603-3400 or 1-800-892-4829. Document carefully why each CPT authorization meets the “integral” standard and maintain records supporting that determination.
-
For immigration practitioners advising F-1 students: If your client is considering CPT (particularly Day 1 CPT for a graduate program), ask the school for documentation of why the training is mandatory and integral—not just permitted or recommended. Understand that SEVP will now scrutinize these authorizations more closely and that a weak justification may trigger denials or retroactive review if the student seeks work authorization or later applies for another visa status.
-
For institutions and counsel: The message directs practitioners and schools to contact SEVP at https://www.ice.gov/sevis for questions about CPT eligibility in specific circumstances. Do not assume prior approvals signal ongoing acceptability.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The information comes from a published federal agency broadcast message, but immigration law and policy change frequently and without notice. You should consult a licensed immigration attorney before making decisions about CPT authorization, work eligibility, or visa status. Always verify your understanding against the primary source document and current agency guidance at https://www.ice.gov/sevis.