The J-1 Responsible Officer's role
To qualify for "Academic Training," you must first obtain approval in writing from your J-1 Responsible Officer, who represents your J-1 sponsor and issues your Forms IAP-66. He or she must evaluate the proposed employment in terms of your program of study and your individual circumstances and then decide whether it would be appropriate or not.

• Your primary purpose in the United States must be study rather than "Academic Training."
• You must be in good academic standing at the school named on your Form IAP-66.
• The proposed employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
• Throughout your "Academic Training" you must maintain permission to stay in the United States, in J-1 student status, and apply for extensions as necessary.
• You must maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and any J-2 dependents throughout your "Academic Training."

1. Your employment may be authorized for "the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training, provided that the amount of time… is approved by [both] the academic dean or advisor and… the responsible officer," to quote the regulations. It may not exceed "the period of full course of study" or 18 months, whichever is shorter. Additional "Academic Training" beyond the 18 months or 36-month limit, is allowed only if it is required for the degree.

If you receive a Ph.D., however, your "post-doctoral training" may last as long as 36 months. Any pre-completion practical training may, however, count against that 36 month post-doctoral training.

2. Part-time employment for "Academic Training" counts against the 18 or 36-month limit the same as full-time employment
3. Earning more than one degree does not increase your eligibility for "Academic Training."

1. "Academic Training" approved after completion of your program must be reduced by any prior periods of "Academic Training."
2. "Academic Training" following completion of your program of study must Involve paid employment.
3. Whether the other items in the application are ready yet or not, you must obtain a written offer of appropriate employment and present a copy to your J-1 Responsible Officer no later than 30 days after the end of your program or you will lose eligibility for "Academic Training" after completion.
4. If you plan to leave the United States after you complete your program of study and reenter the country for J-1 "Academic Training," you must obtain employment authorization before you leave. Otherwise you will have trouble reentering the United States. Consult your Responsible or Alternate Responsible Officer for advice.

1. Obtain a letter of offer from your prospective employer that includes your proposed job title, a brief description of the "goals and objectives" of your "Training program" (your employment), the dates and location of the employment, the number of hours per week, and the name and address of your "training supervisor" (the quotations come from the regulations). Make sure that your employer’s letter includes all of these details or it will not be accepted by the Responsible Officer of your Exchange visitor program.
2. Give a copy of your employer’s letter to your academic advisor or dean for use in writing to your J-1 Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer recommending the "Academic Training." According to the text of the regulation, your advisor’s letter must state or set forth:

The goals and objectives of the specific training program;

A description of the training program, including its location, the name and address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training;

How the training relates to the student’s major field of study; and

Why it is an integral or critical part of the academic program of the exchange visitor student."

3. When your academic advisor’s recommendation is ready, you should deliver or send it to your J-1 Responsible or Alternate Responsible Officer, with a copy of the employer’s letter attached.

Your J-1 Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer must evaluate the "Academic Training" program and decide whether it is warranted and appropriate. If so, he or she will write you a letter of approval. To authorize "post-doctoral training" your J-1 Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer must also issue you a new Form IAP-66, for no more than 18 months at a time.

A note of caution
As a J-1 student you are eligible for a variety of work opportunities in the United States, but employment without proper authorization is a serious violation of your status, as is registration less than full time without the prior approval of your Responsible Officer. Remember that before you start any kind of employment, you must first consult your J-1 Responsible Officer, whose written approval is necessary in advance of your beginning any employment.