Free Internship Agreement Template

A strong internship contract includes the following elements to make a comprehensive agreement.

• Hiring company: The name of the company hiring the intern.
• Company’s representative: The name and title of the person representing the company.
• Intern: The name of the intern being hired.
• Affiliation with a university work-study program: Whether the program is a student opportunity.
• Intern’s job duties: Adhering to company policies, learning about company operations, etc.
• Performance review: The standards by which you will perform a work evaluation.
• Supervisor: The intern supervisor’s name and job department.
• Work schedule: Work hours and whether they’re flexible with the intern’s school schedule.
• Work location: The company address where the intern will work.
• Term: Start and end dates and whether the organization can extend the internship.
• Termination: The number of days’ written notice the other party must grant to end the internship.
• Compensation: The amount you will pay an intern, if applicable.
• Intellectual property clause: Statement that all IP developed will belong to the company.
• Confidentiality agreement: Statement that the intern will not reveal trade secrets.
• Applicable law: The state that will govern the entire agreement.
• Effective date: The date the agreement will go into effect.

View our free internship contract to see how to create a clear agreement for your intern. This template helps you set expectations and ensure both parties agree to the terms. Once you’re ready, customize it to fit your needs and download the final version in PDF or Word format.

When you write an internship contract, follow labor laws and explain what the intern will do. This helps prevent legal problems and ensures the intern gains value from the program. A good contract also states whether the intern will be paid, what’s expected, and how both sides are protected.

Is an Unpaid Internship Legal?

An unpaid internship is legal if it meets the “primary beneficiary test.” This decisive test looks at seven key factors: [1]

1. The intern and employer have mutual promises that there’s no pay.
2. The internship offers real educational training.
3. The internship is related to the intern’s studies and may provide academic credit.
4. The internship fits the intern’s school schedule.
5. The internship lasts only as long as it provides useful learning.
6. The intern’s work doesn’t replace paid employees.
7. There’s no promise of a paid job at the end.

No single factor decides whether the worker is an intern or not. The courts weigh all factors to make a determination.

If you can confidently deem a worker as an intern, you can choose not to pay them. Ensure your internship contract highlights this arrangement.

Can I Pay an Intern?

Yes, you can pay an intern. In fact, paid internship agreements tend to be more common than unpaid ones. Ensure you write a paid internship agreement to state the pay your intern will receive. If an internship program is paid, the pay is typically hourly.

Are Interns Protected Under Labor Laws?

Unpaid interns who aren’t considered employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) don’t get the same protections, like minimum wage or overtime. However, if an intern qualifies as an employee, they must receive payment and get protection under labor laws.

All interns, regardless of pay status, may have some protection under state laws. School policies or company rules may also protect them. These protections are especially common around safety, discrimination, or harassment.

Can a Minor Sign an Internship Agreement?

In most cases, a minor can’t sign a legal contract without their parent or guardian’s approval. If you plan to hire a minor as an intern, their parent or guardian will need to sign the internship contract for them.

Once the intern agrees to the terms, allow them to carry out the terms of the contract. If they perform well, you can offer them an employment contract at the end of their internship. If they aren’t ready to enter the workforce, you can send them a letter of recommendation to use when applying for jobs later.

Legal Templates makes it simple to create a professional internship agreement in minutes. Our template lets you customize details like responsibilities, duration, pay, and confidential information. Whether you hire one intern or many, we help you stay organized and compliant.