Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OPTION AGREEMENT

This document constitutes part of the prospectus covering securities that may be registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

Optionee (Name):

Grant Date:

Exercise Price $:

Option Shares:

hereby grants the Optionee named above a non-qualified stock option under the Company's Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

The Option allows Optionee to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock up to the number of shares shown by "Option Shares," above. The Option is effective as of the Grant Date shown above. The Company will deliver to Optionee certificates for shares purchased under the Option upon payment of the Exercise Price, subject to the terms and conditions below.

1. Definitions. Stylized terms used herein have the following meanings:

1.1. "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

1.2. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

1.3. "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

1.4. "Common Stock" means the Company's Common Stock, par value per share.

1.5. "Company" means , a/n corporation.

1.6. "Disability" means Optionee's permanent inability, due to illness, accident, injury, physical or mental incapacity or other disability, to carry out effectively Optionee's duties and obligations as a director of the Company or to participate effectively and actively in the management of the Company by the Board.

1.7. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1.8. "Exercise" of the Option means the purchase by Optionee of Option Shares under Section 2.

1.9. "Exercise Price" means the Exercise Price shown above, which is the closing price per share of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market on the Grant Date.

1.10. "Related Companies" means, collectively, the Company and its subsidiaries. Individually, a "Related Company" means any of the Company and its subsidiaries.

1.11. "Option" means the option to purchase Common Stock granted Optionee by this Agreement.

1.12. "Option Shares" means all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon Option exercise, as adjusted under Section 8.

1.13. "Plan" means the Company's Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

1.14. "Requirements" has the meaning provided in Section 10.

1.15. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

1.16. "Service" means Optionee's service as a director of the Company.

2. Exercise. Optionee may exercise the Option, in one or more transactions, to the extent that it is vested and has not expired. Optionee exercises the Option by giving (1) written notice to the Company's Corporate Secretary substantially in the form of Exhibit A; together with (2) payment of the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Option Shares to be purchased. Termination of Service or expiration of the Option cannot reverse any previous, proper Option exercise hereunder.

3. Vesting. Subject to Section 4, and so long as Optionee is in Service, the Option will vest for 100% of the Option Shares at midnight of the day before the first anniversary date of the Grant Date.

4. Expiration. When the Option expires, any vested portions become unvested and can no longer be exercised. The Option expires at the earliest to occur of (1) midnight of the day before the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date; (2) midnight of the day before the third anniversary of any termination of Service for any reason other than death or Disability, if Optionee served for six years or more; (3) midnight of the ninetieth day after any termination of Service for any reason other than death or Disability, if Optionee did not serve for six years or more; or (4) one year after Optionee ceases service as a director as a result of death or Disability.

5. Conformity with Plan. The Option and this Agreement are intended to conform to the Plan's provisions. The Plan's provisions will control in the event of any inconsistency between them and this Agreement.

6. Withholding of Taxes. The Committee may, as a condition of Option exercise, require payment by Optionee of, or indemnification from Optionee for, any withholding or other tax due upon Option exercise.

7. Payment. Payments by Optionee required under Sections 2 or 6 may be made either in cash (including certified or cashier's check, or money order) or by delivery of other shares of Common Stock already owned by Optionee for at least six months and to which Optionee has good title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

8. Adjustments. In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination or exchanges of shares, or any other similar change affecting the Common Stock, the Committee, in its sole discretion and to the extent the Option is unexercised, may adjust the Exercise Price and the number and type of Option Shares subject, in each case, to compliance with the Plan and applicable law.

9. Transferability. The Option is personal to Optionee and is not transferable by Optionee other than (1) by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (2) by gift or other transfer to Optionee's spouse or other immediate relative or to any trust or estate in which Optionee or Optionee's spouse or other immediate relative has a substantial beneficial interest, provided that (a) such transfer is permitted by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act as in effect when such transfer occurs, and (b) there is a Plan provision permitting such transfer in full force and effect with respect to such transfer when such transfer occurs; or (3) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (as defined by the Code). Any transfer of the Option or Option Shares in violation of this Agreement is void from inception.

10. Registration. The Company is not obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock upon Option exercise unless (1) such shares have been registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available and otherwise deemed appropriate by the Committee for such issuance; and (2) such issuance is in compliance with applicable law and regulations and the requirements of any stock exchange, quotation service or similar agency on which the Common Stock may then be listed or quoted (such law, regulations and requirements being collectively referred to herein as "Requirements"). The Company has no obligation to so register shares of Common Stock or to so comply with Requirements.

11. Remedies. Each party is entitled to enforce its rights under this Agreement and to recover damages for breach. The parties agree that money damages may not always be an adequate remedy for breach, and in such event the wronged party may, in its sole discretion, request specific performance and/or injunctive relief (without posting bond or other security) from any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce or prevent any breach of this Agreement.

12. Miscellaneous. This Agreement is not an offer and is effective only when fully signed. All required notices must be in writing and are deemed given upon delivery if sent with return receipt via a reputable delivery service. Deadline times herein refer to time. No failure or delay to enforce a provision will be deemed a waiver thereof. The invalidity of any provision will not affect the validity of any other provision. Descriptive headings are intended as a convenience and not as operative text. This Agreement is governed by Delaware, USA law with respect to matters of corporate law and governance and by the internal law of , in all other respects. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, is the entire and exclusive set of terms and conditions for transactions made under it, and binds and benefits the permitted successors and assigns of all parties. This Agreement may only be modified by a writing signed by all parties, unless the modification only enhances Optionee's rights, in which case it can become effective with only the Company's signature.

13. Optionee Acknowledgment. Optionee agrees, represents and acknowledges that (1) Optionee's exercise of the Option and purchase of Option Shares will be for Optionee's own account or for the account of transferees permitted under Section 9 and not on behalf of any others; (2) certain laws govern and restrict Optionee's right to offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any Option Shares, unless an exemption from such laws is available and otherwise deemed appropriate by the Committee; (3) Optionee will not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any Option Shares in any way which would cause Optionee or any Related Company to violate any Requirement or require any Related Company to register such disposition under any Requirement; (4) Optionee may be required upon Option exercise or upon subsequent transfer of Option Shares to furnish representations and undertakings deemed appropriate by the Committee for compliance with Requirements; (5) certificates evidencing Option Shares will bear such legends, if any, deemed appropriate by the Committee for compliance with Requirements; (6) Optionee will not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any Option Shares in violation of any policy of a Related Company; (7) the Option is not intended to be an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code; (8) nothing in this Agreement prevents Optionee's removal or change in compensation as a director of the Company in accordance with the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or with applicable law; (9) Optionee only has rights as a stockholder of Option Shares if and to the extent that Optionee exercises the Option and retains ownership of Option Shares; (10) Optionee has received and read a signed original of this Agreement, together with the Plan and the prospectus for the Plan; (11) Optionee, by signing below, accepts the Option; (12) Optionee will be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan as of the Grant Date; and (13) all transactions hereunder occurred in .

The parties, or their respective, authorized representatives, have signed this Agreement on the dates shown below:

Optionee:

Signed:

Printed name:

Company:

By:

Printed name:

Title:

Date:

Exhibit A

OPTIONEE NOTICE OF EXERCISE

Complete and return to the Corporate Secretary (at ).

Call the Office of the Corporate Secretary with any questions.

Optionee name:

Optionee social security number:

Stock option plan:

Grant Date:

Number of shares for exercise:

Total exercise price paid $:

(enter amount and check one option):

Attached check

Surrender of Common Stock

Conditional exercise price $: (optional; see Section 2 below):

By signing this Notice, I agree to the following:

1. I hereby notify (the "Company") of my intention to exercise the option referenced above for the number of shares shown above (the "Shares") and for the exercise price paid as shown above.

2. Any conditional exercise price entered above represents the minimum per share trading price (before tax or commission) for Company common stock at the time of exercise. If there is a conditional exercise price entered above and if this exercise does not occur for any reason by the end of the third full trading day for Company common stock following the date this notice is submitted to the corporate secretary, this notice will become void and without further force and effect. A conditional price can only be set when a Company-approved financing agent facilitates the exercise. I acknowledge that it is my sole responsibility to communicate this minimum price to the financing agent and that the Company makes no guaranty that the conditional exercise price will be received in any exchange of the Shares upon or after exercise.

3. I acknowledge that I have received a prospectus covering the Shares.

4. I acknowledge that I have read and had ample opportunity to ask questions of Company management regarding all financial and other information provided me regarding the Company.

5. I agree to accept all financial and other information from the Company that the Company believes necessary to enable me to make an informed investment decision.

6. I represent to the Company that I am making neither this exercise nor any subsequent sale of the Shares based on information that I know about the Company or which concerns the Company that has not been publicly released for at least three business days.

Optionee (as entered above):

Signed:

Date:

Enter text✕

What this Stock Option Agreement is and who it covers

A Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors is a written contract granting equity-based options to a board member who is not an employee. It sets the number of options, exercise price, vesting schedule, exercisability on termination, tax treatment, and any transfer restrictions. The agreement typically references the company’s equity plan, defines key events (termination, change of control, death, disability), and establishes notice, governing law, and dispute-resolution provisions. Properly completed, it forms the legal basis for issuance, corporate recordkeeping, and future tax reporting for the director and the company.

Why a tailored agreement matters for directors

A clear Stock Option Agreement protects the company and director by documenting grant terms, tax consequences, and exercise mechanics. It reduces later disputes, ensures consistent corporate records, and supports accurate tax reporting and compliance.

Why a tailored agreement matters for directors

Who typically prepares and signs this agreement

Typical parties and stakeholders involved before and after signature.

  • Company legal or HR: Drafts agreement, confirms equity plan compliance, and records grant in corporate minutes.
  • Board member (non-employee director): Reviews terms, confirms understanding of tax and exercise obligations.
  • Corporate secretary or CFO: Records issuance, updates cap table, and coordinates tax reporting.

These stakeholders collaborate to ensure the grant follows the equity plan, corporate approvals, and applicable law.

Core components to include in a professional agreement

A complete Stock Option Agreement organizes grant mechanics, timelines, and legal protections so both parties understand rights and obligations.

Grant description

State the number of options, class of stock, and whether the grant is ISO or nonstatutory, and reference the governing equity plan.

Exercise price

Specify per-share exercise price and how it was determined (e.g., fair market value on grant date) to support tax and Section 409A compliance.

Vesting schedule

Describe vesting events and schedule (time-based or milestone-based), including any cliff and accelerated vesting on specified events.

Exercise window

Define procedures and timeframes for exercising vested options, including post-termination exercise periods and blackout periods.

Transfer restrictions

Include restrictions on transfer, rights of first refusal, buyback provisions, and legend requirements for restricted stock.

Tax and compliance

Allocate tax responsibilities, outline withholding procedures, and reference applicable U.S. tax rules and plan provisions.

Required information to record on the agreement

Director identity: Full legal name
Company identity: Legal entity name
Grant date: MM/DD/YYYY
Number of options: Exact share count
Exercise price: Price per share
Vesting terms: Schedule summary

Step-by-step: completing and issuing the agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, approve, and deliver a valid Stock Option Agreement for a non-employee director.

  • 01
    Prepare draft: Populate all fields and attach plan reference.
  • 02
    Board approval: Obtain required board or committee authorization.
  • 03
    Execution: Have director sign and date the agreement.
  • 04
    Recordkeeping: Record grant in corporate minutes and update cap table.

How to configure an online signing workflow

Set up a digital workflow that matches corporate approval and signature order while preserving an audit trail.

Field Configuration
Signer order Director signs after corporate approver
Authentication level Use email + SMS code for moderate assurance
Document retention Keep signed PDF and audit trail for records
Template settings Lock key fields and enable versioning

Where to send and how the completed agreement flows

Typical routing ensures signatures, corporate filing, and distribution to relevant parties and systems.

  • To director: Deliver signed copy to director's email
  • To corporate records: Submit executed agreement to corporate secretary
  • To payroll/tax: Send notice to payroll for withholding setup
  • To cap table: Update cap table and equity ledger

Digital signing and integration considerations

Choose a platform that provides secure eSign, audit trails, and integrations with your corporate systems.

  • Document formats: PDF and Word DOCX are standard; keep master as PDF/A when possible
  • Integrations: Connect with NetSuite, Salesforce, Box, or Google Workspace for automated storage and record updates
  • Compliance: Support ESIGN/UETA and offer HIPAA BAA where healthcare data involved

Ensure chosen tools retain a tamper-evident audit trail and allow role-based signer authentication for board-level grants.

Typical timing and deadlines to note

Track vesting, exercise, and post-termination deadlines carefully to protect director rights and company obligations.

Vesting commencement:

Usually starts on grant date; verify MM/DD/YYYY format

Cliff period:

One-year cliff is common for time-based vesting

Post-termination exercise:

Commonly 90 days but may vary; confirm plan terms

Change of control:

Acceleration events may occur on acquisition or merger

Tax reporting:

Company issues required forms per tax-year timelines

Common preparation and execution pitfalls

  • Using an incorrect legal entity name can void transfer mechanics and complicate brokerage acceptance.
  • Omitting board approval or failing to document minutes can render the grant procedurally invalid.
  • Vague vesting or exercise language leads to disputes over entitlement after resignation or removal.
  • Failing to address Section 409A and tax withholding can produce unexpected tax liabilities and penalties.

Key legal and financial risks to consider

Tax penalties: Incorrect reporting risks IRS penalties
409A exposure: Deferred compensation rules may create tax liability
Enforceability: Improper approvals can invalidate grant
Securities compliance: Unregistered offers may trigger state or federal issues
Cap table errors: Incorrect issuance affects dilution tracking
Broker transfer delays: Missing legends can slow secondary transfers

eSignature platform pricing and feature comparison

Compare starting price, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA compliance, and envelope caps when choosing an eSignature provider.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Adopt these practices to reduce risk, streamline approvals, and simplify future transfers or tax reporting.

Use standardized templates
Start from a board-approved template that references the equity plan and includes standard vesting, exercise, and transfer language to ensure consistency and faster review cycles.
Confirm corporate approvals
Document board or committee approval in meeting minutes and attach authorization to the agreement to avoid future enforceability questions.
Record everything
Immediately update cap table, equity ledger, and grant register after execution to maintain accurate ownership and support corporate due diligence.
Address tax items clearly
Specify tax withholding procedures, identify whether options are ISOs or NSOs, and advise directors to consult tax counsel to understand personal tax consequences.

Frequently asked questions about these agreements and e-signing

Answers to common legal, technical, and administrative questions when preparing and executing director option agreements.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users