Can an internship agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and by UETA in most states so long as intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied.

Do employers need a notarized internship agreement?

Generally no. Notarization is not typically required for internship agreements but may be used for additional authentication or when state or institution policy requires it.

What if the intern is a minor?

If the intern is under 18, a parent or legal guardian should sign where state law or institutional policy requires guardian consent; also check youth employment and labor restrictions.

How do unpaid internships affect compliance?

Classification of unpaid internships must meet Department of Labor guidance and FLSA factors; ensure educational objectives and supervision meet regulatory tests to reduce wage‑hour risk.

How should executed agreements be stored?

Store completed agreements in a secure, access‑controlled system with encryption and an audit trail. Retain according to tax and employment records guidance, and HIPAA rules where applicable.

Can either party revoke the agreement after signing?

Revocation depends on the contract terms and applicable law. A termination clause should outline notice and effects. For electronic records, preserve the audit trail to document execution and termination.

Electronic Signature
Templates
HR
Internship Agreement

Internship Agreement

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

INTERNSHIP AGREEMENT

This Internship Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into by and between Employer Name: and Intern Name: . Effective Date: .

Personal Information

Full Legal Name Address Phone Email

Position and Term

Position Title: Department:

Reporting Manager

Start Date: End Date (or anticipated): Weekly Schedule:

Compensation, Expenses, and Credit

This internship is: Paid Unpaid Stipend/Compensation Amount (if paid):

Expense Reimbursement

Academic Credit Approved: Yes If yes, Institution:

Duties, Supervision, and Training

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Supervisor will provide regular feedback, training opportunities, and a final evaluation at the end of the term. Intern will be subject to applicable workplace policies and reasonable direction.

Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, and Work Product

Intern acknowledges that during the course of the internship, Intern may have access to confidential and proprietary information. Intern agrees to keep such information confidential during and after the term of this Agreement and not to disclose or use it except as required to perform assigned duties. All work product, inventions, designs, discoveries, developments, mask works, trade secrets, and any intellectual property created, conceived or reduced to practice by Intern during the course of the internship and related to the Employer's business shall be the exclusive property of the Employer. Intern hereby assigns and agrees to assign all right, title and interest in such intellectual property to Employer and will execute any documents necessary to effectuate such assignment.

At-Will Status and Employment Relationship

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the parties acknowledge that this Agreement does not guarantee employment beyond the term stated herein. Employment, when applicable, is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or prior notice, except as modified by a signed written agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a promise of continued employment or as creating a contractual obligation for employment beyond the specified term.

Termination

Employer may terminate this Agreement immediately for cause, including but not limited to breach of confidentiality, violation of Employer policies, misconduct, or material negligence. Intern may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to Employer. Upon termination, Intern shall return all Employer property and confidential materials.

Background Checks and Authorizations

Intern authorizes Employer to conduct background checks, reference checks, and verify any information provided in this Agreement or accompanying materials. Intern hereby consents to such inquiries and releases all parties from liability for providing information.

Consent to Background Check

I authorize Employer to obtain background and reference information.

Equal Opportunity and Policies

Employer is an equal opportunity provider. Intern agrees to comply with Employer's workplace policies, including but not limited to anti-harassment, safety, and data protection policies. Employer reserves the right to amend policies and procedures and will notify Intern as required.

Applicant Certification and Authorization

I certify that all information provided in this Agreement and in any accompanying materials is true, correct, and complete. I understand that any misrepresentation or omission may be grounds for termination of this Agreement. I authorize Employer to contact prior employers, educational institutions, and references to verify the information provided.

Typed or Printed Name of Intern Intern Authorization to Contact Previous Employers

I authorize contacts with prior employers and supervisors.

Employment History (Most Recent)

Employer 1 - Company Name Responsibilities Reason for Leaving Employer 2 - Company Name Responsibilities Reason for Leaving

Education

Highest Degree or Current Program Institution Graduation Date

Professional References

Reference 1 Reference 2 Reference 3

Liability, Insurance, and Miscellaneous

Intern understands and agrees that Employer's workers' compensation and liability policies, where applicable, shall apply in accordance with law. Intern is encouraged to maintain personal health insurance. Employer is not responsible for loss or damage to Intern personal property unless caused by Employer's gross negligence.

Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Acknowledgment

By signing below, the undersigned parties acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

Intern — Printed Name:

Intern — Signature:

Date:

Employer Representative — Printed Name:

Employer Representative — Signature:

Date:

What an Internship Agreement Covers

An Internship Agreement is a written contract that sets terms between an internship participant and the host organization. It typically defines the role, duration, schedule, supervision, learning objectives, compensation (if any), confidentiality obligations, intellectual property treatment, termination rights, and applicable law. The agreement clarifies expectations for both parties, helps manage liability, and documents whether the relationship is educational, volunteer, or employment for wage-and-hour and tax purposes.

Why a Formal Internship Agreement Matters

A clear written agreement reduces misunderstandings, protects confidential information, and supports compliance with labor and tax rules. It also documents training goals and performance expectations, providing administrators and interns a consistent baseline for evaluating outcomes and addressing disputes.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs an Internship Agreement

Signatures are usually required from the employer (authorized representative) and the intern; a guardian signs for minors when applicable.

University career services and work‑study administrators arranging academic credit and learning objectives.
Human resources or hiring managers setting workplace rules, schedules, and compensation terms.
Small businesses and startups onboarding interns for project work under supervision.

Step-by-step: Completing an Internship Agreement

Follow this sequence to prepare, review, and finalize the agreement so responsibilities and legal requirements are clear.

01

Draft: Populate role, dates, supervisors, and duties.
02

Review: Legal or HR reviews compensation and compliance.
03

Sign: Obtain signatures from intern and authorized representative.
04

Store: Save executed copies in a secure records system.

Setting Up an Online Workflow for the Agreement

Configure a digital workflow to reduce manual steps and capture audit evidence for each signer.

Field	Configuration
Signature Field	Required for each signer
Date Field	Auto-fill on signature
Conditional Clauses	Show only when relevant
Authentication Method	Email link or SMS code

Platform Considerations for eSigning

Choose integrations and access controls that match your recordkeeping, HRIS, or LMS systems to ensure executed agreements are discoverable and retained according to policy.

File formats: PDF and DOCX supported
Signer authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA
Security: Encryption in transit and rest

Typical Digital Signing Flow

The following steps describe a standard online signing sequence from sender to completed record.

Upload Document: Sender uploads the agreement file
Prepare Fields: Place signature, date, and input fields
Send to Signer: Invite via email or link
Complete: Signer authenticates and signs

Essential Clauses to Include in the Agreement

A comprehensive internship agreement covers practical, legal, and administrative items so expectations and protections are explicit.

Scope of Work

Clearly describe tasks, learning goals, deliverables, and supervision arrangements so both parties understand responsibilities and evaluation criteria.

Duration and Schedule

Specify start and end dates, weekly hours, and any required breaks to support classification under wage‑hour laws and academic schedules.

Compensation Terms

State whether the internship is paid or unpaid; if paid, specify rate, payment schedule, and expense reimbursement policies.

Confidentiality

Include nondisclosure language covering proprietary information, data handling expectations, and post‑internship obligations.

Intellectual Property

Define ownership of work product and any assignment or license of IP created during the internship to avoid later disputes.

Termination and Liability

Describe grounds for early termination, notice requirements, and liability limits, including any indemnification or insurance expectations.

Security and Compliance Basics

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 transit; AES-256 rest

Access Controls: Role-based permissions required

Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP, and events

HIPAA Support: BAA available when needed

Record Integrity: Tamper-evident signed PDFs

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Principal Risks of an Incorrect Agreement

Misclassification Risk: Potential wage claims

Tax Consequences: Backup withholding triggers

Confidentiality Breach: Loss of trade secrets

IP Dispute: Ownership ambiguity

Invalid Signatures: Challengeable enforceability

Regulatory Fines: Employment law penalties

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving start or end dates vague which can create disputes about duration and eligibility for academic credit.
Failing to state whether the internship is paid or unpaid, increasing the risk of wage‑hour and FLSA scrutiny.
Omitting supervisor or reporting structure so performance expectations are undefined and evaluations become subjective.
Using broad IP assignment language without specifying scope, which can discourage interns and create legal uncertainty.

Selected eSignature Vendor Comparison for Executing Internship Agreements

Cost and capabilities can affect which platform you use to execute internship agreements; the table compares starting price and selected features.

	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 vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA)	Yes (BAA)	Yes (BAA)	Varies	Varies
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About Internship Agreements and eSignatures

Answers to common legal, technical, and process questions about drafting, signing, and storing internship agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can an internship agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and by UETA in most states so long as intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied.
Do employers need a notarized internship agreement?
Generally no. Notarization is not typically required for internship agreements but may be used for additional authentication or when state or institution policy requires it.
What if the intern is a minor?
If the intern is under 18, a parent or legal guardian should sign where state law or institutional policy requires guardian consent; also check youth employment and labor restrictions.
How do unpaid internships affect compliance?
Classification of unpaid internships must meet Department of Labor guidance and FLSA factors; ensure educational objectives and supervision meet regulatory tests to reduce wage‑hour risk.
How should executed agreements be stored?
Store completed agreements in a secure, access‑controlled system with encryption and an audit trail. Retain according to tax and employment records guidance, and HIPAA rules where applicable.
Can either party revoke the agreement after signing?
Revocation depends on the contract terms and applicable law. A termination clause should outline notice and effects. For electronic records, preserve the audit trail to document execution and termination.

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