Do interns have to be paid?

At for-profit companies in the US, most interns are employees who must receive at least minimum wage unless the internship primarily benefits the intern under the Department of Labor's test. The template is written for a paid internship.

Can an intern sign electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid for offer letters under the ESIGN Act and UETA. If the intern is under eighteen, check whether your state requires a parent's consent or a work permit.

Does the letter promise a job afterwards?

No. It says the internship is temporary and at will and does not promise later employment. Edit that section if you are offering a return or full-time role.

Free template

Internship offer letter template

An internship offer letter tells an intern what to expect: when the internship runs, how many hours, what it pays, who they report to and what they will learn. Signing it confirms the intern accepts. Edit it in the browser and send it for signature from the same page; the free plan includes 5 sends a month and never asks for a card.

Start free with this template

When to use it

Hiring summer or semester interns and sending each one the same clear terms.
An intern seeking academic credit whose school asks for a written offer.
Converting an informal shadowing arrangement into a paid internship.

What's in it

1.Role and supervisor
2.Dates and schedule
3.Pay
4.Learning goals
5.Academic credit
6.Confidentiality and work product
7.At-will and temporary
8.Acceptance

Plus signature, name and date fields for company and intern.

The full template

The text you start from, exactly as it opens in the editor. Bracketed blanks are yours to fill in; highlighted fields are filled by each signer.

Internship Offer Letter

Date: Date signed — Company

Dear [Intern name],

We are pleased to offer you an internship with [Company legal name] (the “Company”). This letter sets out the terms of the internship.

1. Role and supervisor

Title: [Internship title], in the [team or department] team. Your supervisor will be [Supervisor name, title], who will set your assignments and meet with you at least [weekly].

2. Dates and schedule

The internship runs from [start date] to [end date]. You will work about [number] hours per week, on a schedule agreed with your supervisor, at [location / remotely].

3. Pay

You will be paid $[amount] per hour for all hours worked, including any overtime required by law, on the Company's regular payroll schedule and subject to required withholdings. You will record your hours as the Company directs.

4. Learning goals

The internship is designed to give you experience in [skills or areas]. Your supervisor will review your progress with you at the midpoint and at the end of the internship.

5. Academic credit

If you are seeking academic credit, the Company will cooperate with your school's reasonable requirements, such as completing an evaluation. [Delete if not applicable.]

6. Confidentiality and work product

You will keep the Company's non-public information confidential during and after the internship. Work you produce for the Company during the internship belongs to the Company.

7. At-will and temporary

The internship is temporary and at will: you or the Company may end it at any time. It does not promise later employment, though we are glad to discuss opportunities near the end.

8. Acceptance

Please sign below by [date] to accept. This offer is contingent on [proof of eligibility to work in the United States / any other condition].

Signatures

For the company

Signature: Signature — Company

Name: Full name — Company

Date: Date signed — Company

Accepted by intern

Signature: Signature — Intern

Name: Full name — Intern

Date: Date signed — Intern

This template is a general-purpose starting point written in plain English for use in the United States. It is not legal advice and has not been reviewed for your situation; for anything high-stakes, have a lawyer review the final version.

How to send it for signature

Step 1
Start from the template
It opens as a document in the editor with both parties' signature, name and date fields already placed. Fill in the bracketed blanks and change any clause.
Step 2
Add who signs
Put an email address on each party, set the signing order if it matters, add an access code if you want one, and add a viewer for anyone who only needs to read it.
Step 3
Send it and track it
Each signer gets a link and signs in the browser, no account needed. You see who has opened and signed, and everyone gets the completed PDF with a certificate of completion.