Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization that lets F-1 students work in jobs related to their major. The work must be connected to your academic program and count toward course credit.

You can only use CPT before finishing your degree. You also need a job offer before you apply. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program.

Eligibility:

• You must be in valid F-1 status when applying.
  • If you are changing to F-1 status, you may still qualify for CPT. This includes changes through USCIS or consular processing. You may be eligible to use time from a previous immigration status towards accruing benefits, such as CPT. This is contingent on as long as you maintained full-time F-1 enrollment requirements.
• Have been in full-time status for one academic year preceding that CPT application.
  • Exception: Graduate students whose degree requires immediate participation in CPT may apply at any time.
• The work must be needed to fulfill course/class requirements.
• Must be enrolled in a course that will give you credit for the practical training.
• The course must be an “integral part of the established curriculum”, i.e., it must be required for the degree completion. The practical training is required for all students participating in that curriculum, regardless of citizenship.  For graduate students on a thesis/dissertation, the work done must be required to complete the thesis or dissertation. If an elective course is optional, and CPT is therefore optional, the integral and required components of CPT would not be satisfied. CPT must be an integral component of the established degree plan, and the associated practical training is required for all students enrolled in that degree, regardless of citizenship.
• Good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA for graduates, 2.0 GPA for undergraduates). If good standing is not maintained, CPT authorization will be canceled.
• Have not completed degree requirements.

Applying for CPT:

1. Review requirements and apply on the International Portal.
2. Have your program/academic advisor sign the Advisor/Instructor Agreement & Certification Form. 
3. Complete the CPT Online Brightspace Certification Course
4. Get CPT Internship Approval from Career Center by submitting a CPT Request Form in 12twenty and submitting your UTRGV CPT Request Form Guide. 
5. Submit your Employment/Internship Offer Letter. CPT students should have access to practical training managed by an employer who has entered into a cooperative agreement with UTRGV where it is agreed that the employer will facilitate the students for specific training such as an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that is specific to the student's major area of study. 
6. Medical insurance covering the period of employment. Any Mexican national or resident authorized for CPT outside the Rio Grande Valley will be automatically billed UTRGV AHP Care on your student account. If your employer is providing medical insurance coverage for the period of employment, you must apply for an insurance waiver at UTRGV AHP waiver. If coverage is not possible then CPT cannot be approved.
7. Students are not required to obtain an EAD for this training, as it is an integral and required component of the curriculum. Once your CPT is approved, a notation will be added to your I-20, which will authorize you to participate in the practicum training.

CPT Application Deadlines:

The deadline for CPT is the census date of the semester that you are requesting it. Census dates can be found via the UTRGV academic calendar..

CPT Considerations:

Enrollment Requirements:

• You must stay enrolled full-time during fall and spring.
  • Undergraduate: at least 12 credit hours
  • Graduate: at least 9 credit hours
• You must stay enrolled in your CPT course during the internship.
• Summer term:
  • Only the CPT course is required
  • No full-time enrollment needed
• If you drop below full-time:
  • Your CPT will be canceled
  • You may lose your F-1 status

Work Authorization Rules:

• All off-campus work must be approved before you start.
  • This includes remote and unpaid work
• You must have CPT authorization on your I-20 form.
• You can only:
  • Work after receiving your CPT I-20
  • Work within approved dates
• Working without authorization:
  • Is a serious violation
  • May result in the termination of your SEVIS record

Location Requirements:

• Out-of-state CPT with other classes requires some on-campus presence.
• If you are doing out of-state CPT for your Capstone/Thesis/Dissertations on your last semester:
  
  • It satisfies the "in-person" requirement at the internship site

Work Hour Limits:

• You may work up to 40 hours per week total.
  
  • Includes CPT and on-campus jobs combined
  • Employment cannot exceed 40 hours a week during any time of the year
• Full-time CPT:
  • A CPT approval at 20 hours or more is considered full-time employment
  • 12 months of full-time CPT = No OPT eligibility
• Part-time CPT:
  • Less than 20 hours per week
  • Does Not affect OPT eligibility

Multiple Jobs and Changes:

• CPT is approved one semester at a time
• You must reapply for each new semester
• You must submit a new request if:
  • You change employers
  • You change work hours
• Multiple employers:
  • Allowed with separate CPT approvals
  • Total hours must stay under 40 per week total

On-Campus + CPT Work:

• You may work on campus and use CPT
• Total combined hours must not exceed 40 per week
• If CPT is already 40 hours:
  • You cannot work on campus

Approval Details:

• CPT is specific to:
  • Employer
  • Location
  • Work hours
  • Start and end dates
• All details must be approved in advance
• Any changes require a new CPT request

End of Program & OPT:

• CPT must end by your final semester date
• To continue working after graduation:
  • Apply for OPT
  • Speak with your international advisor
• Remote or hybrid work:
  • Still requires CPT approval
  • Must meet application deadlines

Course Requirement:

• Enroll in a course that fulfills an integral element of an established curriculum, and successful completion is contingent on participation in CPT. Participation in CPT is not optional for any student participating in an established curriculum that the school has determined requires CPT as an integral part of the educational experience. This means that all students - foreign and American - are required to participate in practical training if they are enrolled in an established curriculum where practical training is integral. 
• Other options:
  • Consider pre-completion OPT to accept a paid internship opportunity
• If you completed all degree requirements:
  • You are not eligible for CPT
• Schedule an appointment to meet with an international student advisor to discuss this option.

CPT Limits:

• There is no limit on total CPT use
• However:
  • 12 months of full-time CPT removes OPT eligibility

Canceling CPT:

• Before start date:
  • Contact your ISS advisor to request the cancelation of your CPT authorization in SEVIS
• After start date (but no work done):
  • Contact your ISS advisor immediately so that ISS can contact SEVIS on your behalf to request the removal of the CPT authorization
  • This can be a lengthy process, so please be sure to inform ISS as quickly as possible so we can advise you of the required documentation
• Your SEVIS record must be accurate
• Your work authorization for CPT must be canceled or removed if it does not occur.

Address Updates:

• During CPT, you must update your U.S. address within 10 days of moving
• You can request an update of your address on your SEVIS via UTRGV International Portal
• Once you arrive back at your usual location, you can request to change your address back

Insurance on CPT:

General Requirement:

• All students on CPT must have health insurance.
• The insurance must be through the UT System.
• This rule comes from:
  • University of Texas System Board of Regents
  • Regent Rule 50402 (effective Fall 2015)
• Insurance must meet federal requirements under:
  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Who Must Have Insurance:

• Most F-1 students are required to have this insurance
• Exception:
  • Mexican citizens or permanent residents
  • With F-1, F-2, or F-3 (border commuter) status
  • Attending UT System border institutions

Internships Outside the Rio Grande Valley:

• Insurance is required for all students
  • Regardless of citizenship
• You must be covered for the entire time away
• If you do not have coverage:
  • Your CPT application will not be approved
• This includes cases where:
  • You miss the insurance deadline
  • You choose not to purchase insurance

For More Information:

• Visit the ISS home page