CPT Requirements
Most F-1 students will need to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to do an internship or co-op off-campus. CPT can be part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week); paid or unpaid. To apply for CPT, submit your request in the Internships & Employment section of the ISSS Portal.
You will also need CPT for on-campus internships if they are more than 20 hours per week during fall or spring.
All F-1 students should attend an ISSS CPT webinar or watch the CPT video series for more information. If you need an SSN, you can request an ISSS endorsement within the CPT request.
Requirements:
- You must be in legal F-1 status and have a job offer in writing
- The work must be required for your degree program and directly relate to what you’re studying
- You must register for an “internship” course (484, 684, etc.) and add it to your approved degree plan
- If you plan to have an internship but the course is not listed as required on your approved degree plan, you will need to talk to your department to update your degree plan.
- Note: You should plan ahead as this may take some time!
- You must be in good academic standing with Texas A&M University
- You must have completed at least one academic year of full-time enrollment (that’s one fall and one spring semester)
If you have a job offer but are not eligible for CPT, come talk to ISSS to see if you have other options.
Important Note
Do NOT start working until ISSS has processed your CPT. Working without the CPT authorization is a violation of your status.
CPT & Health Insurance
Texas A&M requires F-1 students to be covered under TAMU-sponsored insurance or have equivalent insurance coverage. If you will enroll in insurance through your employer during your CPT period, you must apply for a waiver of the TAMU insurance through Academic Health Plan’s (AHP) online waiver system by the set deadline.
If you were already granted a waiver based on the Graduate Student Employee (GSE) plan and this plan ends, you are required to apply for a waiver using your current employer provided health insurance. ISSS is notified of those who terminate their GSE plan and you will be charged for System Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) if you do not have an approved waiver through AHP.
Health Insurance requirements and the waiver process may be found on the Health Insurance section of our website.
CPT FAQs
How do I apply for an SSN for CPT?
How much CPT can I do?
Can I do CPT and on-campus work at the same time?
For summer semester, there is no restriction on doing CPT and on-campus work at the same time.
Disclaimer: For the summer semester, although there are no immigration limitations on doing CPT and on-campus work simultaneously, you should always double check with your CPT employer and/or on-campus employer to ensure you can do both at the same time. You need to obtain approval from both employers before engaging in either activity.
How do I extend my CPT?
What course should I use for my CPT?
How do I report changes to my CPT employment?
What dates can I request for CPT?
Start date:
Can begin as early as the day after the first graduation of the semester before your CPT. (e.g. Spring 2026 graduation begins May 7th, so a summer 2026 CPT can begin as early as May 8th)
End date:
Your CPT must end by the last day of finals if:
- You will graduate in the same semester as the CPT.
- Or you did the CPT for a 691 credit and you defended your thesis/dissertation during the CPT semester.