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Internship Agreement Form

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Internship Agreement Form

Parties and Recitals

This Internship Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into on between Employer Name: and Intern Name: .

Personal Information

Position Information

Start Date: Anticipated End Date: Total Expected Duration (weeks):

Paid stipend or wage    Unpaid (academic credit only)

Intern Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern will perform duties under the direct supervision of the Reporting Manager and will be expected to perform the following duties and learning objectives:

Employment History (Most Recent)

From: To:

Employment History (Prior)

From: To:

Education

References

Legal Terms and Notices

Classification: The parties agree that the Intern will serve as an intern and not as an employee for purposes of benefits eligibility, unless otherwise expressly documented in writing. The Intern understands that participation may be unpaid or paid as stated above and that enrollment in an academic credit program does not alter this classification.

Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights: The Intern will not disclose confidential information and agrees that all work product, inventions, discoveries, designs, developments and other creations conceived, developed or reduced to practice by the Intern during the internship related to Employer business are the exclusive property of the Employer. The Intern hereby assigns all right, title and interest in such intellectual property to the Employer and will execute documents reasonably necessary to effectuate that assignment.

Termination: Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time with or without cause upon written notice to the other party. Upon termination the Intern will promptly return all Employer property and confidential materials.

Background Checks and Authorization: The Intern consents to background checks, reference checks, and verification of academic credentials as required by the Employer. The Intern also authorizes previous employers and educational institutions to release information necessary for evaluating suitability for placement. The Intern may revoke this consent in writing; however revocation may affect continued eligibility for the internship.

Workers' Compensation and Insurance: The Employer's obligation to provide workers' compensation coverage for an intern will be determined in accordance with applicable law and Employer policy. The Intern is encouraged to maintain personal health insurance.

The Employer provides equal opportunity in all internship and employment practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Acknowledgements and Authorizations

Applicant Certification: I certify that all information provided in this Agreement and accompanying documents is true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that false statements or material omissions are grounds for termination of the internship or withdrawal of the offer.

Authorization to Contact: I authorize the Employer to contact the references and previous employers listed above and to obtain background, employment, education and criminal history information as permitted by law. I release any person and organization providing such information from liability for damages arising from furnishing such information.

Acceptance of Policies: The Intern agrees to comply with Employer policies, procedures and safety rules while participating in the internship program.

I consent to background checks and reference checks as described above.

I acknowledge that unless this Agreement expressly states a fixed-term, my participation is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time with or without cause.

Applicant Certification Signature

By signing below, the parties acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to the terms of this Internship Agreement and that their signatures bind the parties to the terms herein.

Employer (Company) — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Title/Position:

Intern — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Phone/Email:

Enter text✕

What the Internship Agreement Form Is and When It’s Used

An Internship Agreement Form is a written contract that documents the relationship between an organization and an intern, specifying duties, duration, compensation (if any), supervision, confidentiality, and other expectations. It clarifies whether the position is paid or unpaid, sets start and end dates, and can include proprietary and intellectual property clauses, safety and compliance requirements, and grounds for termination. Employers and interns use this form to reduce misunderstandings, support regulatory compliance (wage and hour, workplace safety), and create a record of agreed terms for HR and legal review.

Why a Clear Internship Agreement Matters

A clear Internship Agreement reduces legal risk, documents expectations, and protects confidential information. It helps establish whether the role meets exemption criteria for unpaid internships under FLSA guidance and provides a record for HR, payroll, and compliance purposes.

Why a Clear Internship Agreement Matters

Who Typically Completes an Internship Agreement

Organizations and interns complete the form together so both parties acknowledge terms before work begins.

  • Human Resources teams preparing onboarding paperwork and payroll setup.
  • Hiring managers documenting role duties, supervision, and evaluation criteria.
  • Students or prospective interns confirming terms, start date, and compensation.

HR, hiring managers, legal counsel, and the intern should retain a signed copy for their records.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Internship Agreement

Follow a consistent sequence to prepare, review, sign, and store the agreement to ensure compliance and traceability.

  • 01
    Prepare: Populate role, dates, wages, and supervisor information.
  • 02
    Review: Legal or HR reviews for wage-hour and confidentiality language.
  • 03
    Sign: Collect signatures from authorized employer rep and the intern.
  • 04
    Store: Save signed copy in HR file and give intern a copy.

Essential Clauses to Include in a Professional Form

A robust Internship Agreement contains clauses that address legal, practical, and administrative issues. Include clear language on supervision, compensation, confidentiality, IP, termination, and compliance to reduce disputes.

Position and Duties

Describe tasks, learning objectives, work schedule, and reporting structure so expectations are aligned and measurable during the internship.

Compensation

Specify whether the internship is paid or unpaid, the rate or stipend, payment schedule, and any reimbursable expenses the employer will cover.

Confidentiality

Include nondisclosure language protecting trade secrets and client data, and specify duration of confidentiality obligations after the internship ends.

Intellectual Property

State whether work product is assigned to the employer and include clear IP assignment or work-for-hire language where applicable.

Termination

Outline grounds for termination, notice requirements, and final pay procedures to prevent confusion at separation.

Compliance and Safety

Address background checks, I-9 and eligibility verification, workplace safety training, and any industry-specific compliance obligations.

Required Fields Checklist

Intern Name: Full legal name
Employer Name: Legal entity name
Start Date: MM/DD/YYYY
End Date: MM/DD/YYYY or 'At-will'
Compensation: Hourly rate or 'Unpaid'
Signatures: Signed and dated

Typical Routing and Execution Flow

Common execution workflows route the draft for approval, collect signatures, and distribute final copies to stakeholders for recordkeeping.

  • Draft: HR or hiring manager prepares the agreement.
  • Approval: Legal or HR reviews and approves terms.
  • Signature: Employer and intern sign electronically or on paper.
  • Distribution: Signed copies sent to HR, payroll, and the intern.

Configuring an Online Approval and Signature Workflow

Set up fields and routing in your eSignature platform to collect required data and approvals in order.

Field Configuration
Start Date Field Required; MM/DD/YYYY format
Signature Block Signature + date for each party
Approval Step HR approval before final signature
Copy Distribution Auto-send PDF to HR and intern

Digital Signing: Technical and Integration Notes

Ensure the chosen configuration captures an audit trail, stores a tamper-evident record, and meets any applicable compliance requirements.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported
  • Integrations: HRIS and cloud storage connectors
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger methods

Common Deadlines to Observe

Track statutory and administrative deadlines during onboarding to avoid penalties and maintain compliance.

Offer Acceptance:

Typically within 7 days of offer issuance

Start Date:

Agreed MM/DD/YYYY; governs I-9 timing

I-9 Completion:

Complete within 3 business days of hire (8 CFR §274a.2)

W-9 / Tax Forms:

Provide W-9 or tax info before or at first payment

Background Checks:

Obtain consent and results before placement when required

Common Preparation Mistakes

  • Failing to state compensation clearly, leading to wage classification disputes and FLSA risk.
  • Using vague intellectual property language that leaves ownership of work product unclear.
  • Not completing I-9 verification within the regulatory timeframe, which can trigger fines.
  • Skipping HR or legal review for industry-specific compliance requirements such as HIPAA or licensing.

Key Risks and Potential Consequences

Wage Violations: FLSA claims and back pay
I-9 Penalties: $281–$2,789 per violation
Misclassification: Liability for unpaid wages
Breach of Confidentiality: Injunctions and damages
IP Disputes: Ownership litigation
Discrimination Claims: Regulatory and civil exposure

Comparing eSignature Vendors for Internship Agreement Signing

Basic vendor differences include starting price, trial availability, bulk-send features, audit trails, HIPAA support, and envelope or usage caps.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Internship Agreement Forms

Answers to common questions about enforceability, e-signatures, notarization, and recordkeeping for internship agreements.


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