S4 Q&A: Do I need to apply to USCIS or pay for an EAD to get CPT?

 No - CPT is authorized by your school's DSO and printed on your I-20; there's no USCIS application, EAD card or USCIS fee for it. That's different from OPT, which does need an EAD. Your school's own CPT process is the only one you follow.