Free Internship Agreement Template for Small Businesses
An Internship Agreement defines the relationship between a company and an intern. For US unpaid internships, it must satisfy the Department of Labor's 7-factor 'primary beneficiary' test or the intern must be paid minimum wage. This version is tailored for small businesses — covering the specific clauses and considerations that matter most in the industry.
Internship Agreement — Template Preview
For Small BusinessesInternship Agreement
For use in Small Businesses
1. Position
[COMPANY] is pleased to offer [CANDIDATE] the position of [TITLE], reporting to [MANAGER]. The role focuses on [responsibilities] within Company's small businesses operations.
2. Start Date & Location
Anticipated start date: [DATE]. Primary work location: [LOCATION / REMOTE]. Any change in location requires mutual agreement.
3. Compensation
Base salary: $[AMOUNT] per year, paid on Company's regular payroll schedule. Eligible for [bonus / commission] up to [%] of base, paid [annually / quarterly] based on performance criteria established by Company.
4. Equity
Subject to Board approval, you will receive a grant of [SHARES] shares of Company common stock or options at the then-current fair market value, vesting over four (4) years with a one-year cliff.
5. Benefits
You will be eligible for Company's standard benefits, which currently include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements.
6. At-Will Employment
Your employment is at-will. Either you or Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice. This offer letter does not create a contract of employment for any specific duration.
7. Contingencies
This offer is contingent on: (a) satisfactory completion of a background check, (b) verification of your right to work in the United States, and (c) your signature on Company's standard Confidentiality and IP Assignment Agreement.
Industry-specific considerations for small businesses
Beyond the standard internship agreement clauses, here are the specific items small businesses typically need to address before signing:
- EIN vs SSN on contracts
- Insurance requirements (general liability)
- State-specific labor laws
- Late payment terms (Net 14–30)
Typical pricing in small businesses
Varies widely by industry.
How to use this template — 3 steps
Customize
Use our eSign tool to drop in your real names, dates, scope and fees. The template handles the legal scaffolding; you fill in the specifics for your small businesses engagement.
Add signature fields
Drag-drop signature, date, initials, and text fields onto the document. Assign each field to the correct signer (yourself, the client, or both).
Send for signature
Enter the other party's name and email, hit Send. They receive a signing link via email — no account required. You get notified the second they sign.
Customization tips before you send
- • Replace every [BRACKETED] placeholder with real values — names, dates, dollar amounts, percentages.
- • Set the governing law to your state — usually where you live or do business.
- • Confirm the 3–6 months term length matches your project.
- • If this is a high-stakes contract (over ~$50K, or anything involving significant ongoing liability), have a licensed attorney in your state spend 30 minutes on a review.
FAQ — Internship Agreement for Small Businesses
Do small businesses really need a Internship Agreement?+
Yes — and especially in small businesses, where client relationships are the core asset. A signed internship agreement protects both sides if something goes wrong — and most disputes can be solved by simply pointing at the signed contract.
What's different about a Internship Agreement for small businesses?+
Compared to a generic internship agreement, the small businesses version typically adds clauses around: EIN vs SSN on contracts; Insurance requirements (general liability); State-specific labor laws.
Is this Internship Agreement legally binding once signed?+
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws, an electronic signature is just as legally binding as a wet-ink signature for almost all commercial contracts. Our eSign tool produces a SHA-256 audit trail proving who signed, when, and from where — so the contract is defensible in court.
Can I edit this template?+
Yes — and you should. The template covers the typical scope, but every small businesses engagement has unique details (rates, scope, deadlines). Use our eSign tool to drop in your actual project details before sending the contract for signature.
How do I sign this online?+
Click "Edit & sign online — free" below. Our eSign tool opens with a blank document; upload your customized contract PDF, drag-drop signature/date fields, and email it to the other party. They sign from any device — no account needed for signers.
Other contracts small businesses commonly need
Ready to sign?
Open the Internship Agreement in our free eSign tool, customize it for your small businesses engagement, and send it for signature in under 2 minutes.
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