Professional Services Agreement Template

A professional services agreement is a contract that defines the working relationship between a business and an independent service provider. Unlike informal arrangements or handshake deals, a professional services agreement gives both parties a legally binding framework that outlines rights, duties, and remedies if something goes wrong.

Using a professional services agreement template gives you a strong foundation to structure your contract without starting from scratch. Our template is customizable and includes key clauses like confidentiality, indemnification, independent contractor status, and intellectual property ownership. Whether you’re a business hiring a consultant or a freelancer offering your expertise, this agreement helps ensure compliance, transparency, and fairness in every engagement.

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Full Text Template

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Professional Services Agreement

Professional Services Agreement

This Professional Services Agreement is made and entered into effective as of by and between , a corporation, located at (hereinafter “Company”) and located at (hereinafter “Contractor”).

WITNESSED:

That in consideration of the promises and mutual obligations hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:


Services by contractor

In order to facilitate an orderly transition of management within the , Contractor shall provide historical background information, factual and management assistance, guidance and counsel to the on matters involving operation of the Business Area (the “Services”) on an as needed, on call basis.

Contractor’s primary contact with Company shall be referred to hereinafter as the Agreement Monitor.


Term

The term of this Agreement shall commence on and end on . Upon mutual agreement of the parties, this Agreement may be extended beyond .


Compensation for services

Contractor shall be compensated for the Services to be performed hereunder by payment of a month starting This amount represents the collective consideration for the Covenant Not to Compete set forth in the Addendum A, as well as payment for Services rendered, if any, by Contractor under this Agreement. Contractor shall provide up to 0 days0 days of consulting work per month for months (from to ). Days worked in excess of 0 days per month will be compensated at per day.

With prior approval of the Agreement Monitor, Company shall reimburse Contractor for reasonable and actual travel expenses (at locations other than Contractor’s office), including expenditures for hotels, meals, , taxis, car rental, mileage for use of personal automobile, parking and toll fees, telephone, and incidentals.

Company will reimburse Contractor for the following additional expenses or provide the following services directly to Contractor:

During the term of this Agreement, Company will assist Contractor in maintaining a home office at his residence by providing equipment including home telephone lines, computer, cell phone, fax machine, and printer as well as high speed connectivity to the internet and, subject to Company policies governing access to the Company intranet by non-employees, access to the Company intranet and an email account.

During the term of this Agreement, Company will provide support in assisting Contractor in maintaining his current security clearances and special access qualifications; and

Contractor acknowledges that the retainer as well as the items in paragraph 3.C. will be taxable as income to him and will be reported as such by Company to the .


Payment and invoice

Contractor’s invoice shall identify the Services performed during the period covered by such invoice and be forwarded to: . Invoices should be issued on at least a basis notwithstanding the fact that the services have already been paid for by virtue of the retainer paid pursuant to paragraph 3.A. on or about . Each invoice should sufficiently describe the Services rendered during the period covered by the invoice, the days of performance, and the total number of days worked to date under this Agreement. With each invoice, Contractor must submit an “Activity Report”, (Blank Copy attached hereto), for the period covered by the invoice.

In the event sums are due for the days worked in excess of 0 days days per month, Company agrees to make payment within days of receipt and approval of a proper invoice reflecting these Services. For invoices claiming reimbursement for expenses, Contractor is required to attach original receipts (for expenses exceeding ) for such expenditures in a form satisfactory to Company. If original receipts are not furnished, Contractor payment shall be subject to , , or taxes.


Independent contractor relationship

Contractor is an independent contractor in all its operations and activities hereunder. Contractor and Company agree that Contractor will render Services according to Contractor’s own methods and is subject to Company’s control only with regard to the Contractor’s final product or result. Company shall not exercise direct control or supervision over the means that Contractor uses to accomplish Contractor’s work. The Parties understand and agree that Contractor is not an employee of Company.


Conflict of interest

Contractor shall not engage in any activity which presents a conflict of interest in the line of his relationship with Company.

Contractor hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the and, by executing this Agreement, Contractor agrees that Contractor will strictly comply with the provisions of the Code in the performance of the Services hereunder.


Non-disclosure of proprietary or confidential information

Contractor agrees not to disclose to others, either during or subsequent to the term of this Agreement, any Company information, knowledge, or data which Contractor may receive, or have access to, or which may otherwise be disclosed to Contractor, proprietary or confidential information as further defined herein. “Proprietary or Confidential Information” as used herein means any information of Company or of others which has come into the Company’s or Contractor’s possession, custody or knowledge in the course of performing services under this Agreement that has independent economic value as a result of its not being generally known to the public and is the subject of reasonable means to preserve the confidentiality of the information. Proprietary or Confidential Information includes (without limitation) information, whether written or otherwise, regarding Company’s earnings, expenses, marketing information, cost estimates, forecasts, bid and proposal data, financial data, trade secrets, products, procedures, inventions, systems or designs, manufacturing or research processes, material sources, equipment sources, customers and prospective customers, business plans, strategies, buying practices and procedures, prospective and executed contracts and other business arrangements or business prospects, except to the extent such information become readily available to the general public lawfully and without breach of a confidential, contractual, or fiduciary duty. Contractor acknowledges and agrees that he has a continuing obligation to not use or disclose Proprietary or Confidential Information.

Contractor agrees that Proprietary or Confidential Information shall be used solely for the purpose of performing the Services required under this Agreement, and further agrees that except as may strictly be required by Contractor’s obligations under this Agreement, Contractor shall not reproduce, nor allow any third party to use or reproduce, any Proprietary of Confidential Information or any documents or other material containing Proprietary or Confidential information.

All materials to which Contractor had access, or which were furnished or otherwise made available to Contractor in connection with the Services performed hereunder, shall be and remain the property of Company. Upon expiration or termination of this agreement, or upon request of Company, Contractor shall return to Company all such materials, documents and information, including any Proprietary or Confidential Information and all reproductions thereof, then in Contractor’s possession or control, and Contractor in connection with this Agreement in accordance with specific instructions issued by Company to Contractor, shall comply with any instructions within 0 days of receipt thereof.


Liability

Company shall not be liable to Contractor for any loss, injury, damage, expense or any liability whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, the performance of the services required by this Agreement.

Each party shall be responsible to the other for any costs or expenses including attorney’s fees, all expenses of litigation and/or settlement, and court costs, arising from the default of such party, its officers, employees, agents, suppliers, or subcontractors at any tier, in the performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement.


Governing law

This Agreement shall be governed by, subject to, and construed according to the laws of the excluding its choice of law rules. Contractor shall comply with all applicable , and laws, orders and regulations, as well as with all Company policies, operating instructions, rules and regulations applicable to the performance of this Agreement.


Termination

Company may not unilaterally terminate this Agreement unless

Section 10.C. of this Agreement applies, or

Contractor is in default as described in Section 16. of this Agreement.

Contractor may not terminate this Agreement without Company’s advance written consent. Company will not unreasonably withhold its written consent if Contractor’s reason for termination is due to Contractor’s desire to accept employment that is not otherwise in violation of Contractor’s Covenant not to Compete obligations as set forth in Addendum A and which makes him unavailable or unable to provide the Services called for in this Agreement.

This Agreement shall terminate immediately and all payments due shall be forfeited if, in rendering Services hereunder, improper payments are made, unlawful conduct is engaged in, or any part of the fee or expenses payable under this Agreement is used or an illegal purpose.

In the event this Agreement is terminated under any provision herein, Contractor shall not be required to repay any of the consideration already paid under the Agreement to date. The termination of this Agreement shall have no effect whatsoever on the Contractor’s continuing obligations under the Covenant not to Compete referenced above, which shall survive this Agreement and shall not expire until .


Severability

If any provision of this Agreement (including the provisions of Addendum A) shall be held illegal or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement or the application of any other provisions to the parties shall not be affected thereby.


Access to classified information

If access to classified information in the performance of this Agreement is required, Contractor shall furnish the with all data required to obtain or verify a personal security clearance with access to such Classified Information. Under no circumstances shall Contractor perform service(s) involving access to classified information until Contractor’s security clearance has been obtained or verified by Company.


Acceptance of contract/terms and conditions

This Agreement integrates, merges, and supersedes any prior offers, negotiations, and agreements concerning the subject matter hereof and constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties.

Contractor’s acknowledgment, acceptance of payment, or commencement of performance, shall constitute Contractor’s unqualified acceptance of this Agreement.

Additional or differing terms or conditions proposed by Contractor or included in Contractor’s acknowledgement hereof are hereby objected to by Company and have no effect unless accepted in writing by Company.


Assignment

Any assignment of Contractor’s contract rights or delegation of duties shall be void, unless prior written consent is given by Company.


Contract direction

Only the , or his designee, has authority to make changes in or amendments to this Agreement. Such changes or amendments must be in writing.

Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices to be furnished by the Contractor shall be sent to the , with a copy to the Agreement Monitor identified in paragraph 1.B of this Agreement.


Default

Company, by written notice, may terminate this Agreement for default, in whole or in part, if Contractor fails to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement, fails to make progress as to endanger performance of this Agreement, or fails to provide adequate assurance of future performance. Contractor shall have 0 days (or such longer period as Company may authorize in writing) to cure any such failure after receipt of notice from Company.

Company shall not be liable for any Services not accepted; however, Company may require Contractor to deliver to Company any supplies and materials, manufacturing materials, and manufacturing drawings that Contractor has specifically produced or acquired for the terminated portion of this Agreement. Company and Contractor shall agree on the amount of payment for these other deliverables.

Contractor shall continue all Services not terminated.


Disputes

All disputes under this Agreement which are not disposed of by mutual agreement may be decided by recourse to an action at law or in equity. Until final resolution of any dispute hereunder, Contractor shall diligently proceed with the performance of this Agreement as directed by Company.


Gratuities/kickbacks

No gratuities (in the form of entertainment, gifts or otherwise) or kickbacks shall be offered or given by Contractor, to any employee of Company with a view toward securing favorable treatment as a supplier.


Intellectual property

Contractor agrees that Company shall be the owner of all inventions, technology, designs, works of authorship, mask works, technical information, computer software, business information and other information conceived, developed or otherwise generated in the performance of this Agreement by or on behalf of Contractor. Contractor hereby assigns and agrees to assign all right, title and interest in the foregoing to Company, including without limitation all copyrights, patent rights and other intellectual property rights therein and further agrees to execute, at Company’s request and expense, all documentation necessary to perfect title therein in Company. Contractor agrees that it will maintain and disclose to Company written records of, and otherwise provide Company with full access to, the subject matter covered by this Agreement and that all such subject matter will be deemed Proprietary or Confidential Information of Company and subject to the protection provisions of paragraph 7 of this Agreement. Contractor agrees to assist Company, at Company’s request and expense, in every reasonable way, in obtaining, maintaining, and enforcing patent and other intellectual property protection on the subject matter covered by this Clause.

Contractor warrants that the Services performed and delivered under this Agreement will not infringe or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of any third party in the or any foreign country. Contractor agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Company and its customers from and against any claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of any action by a third party that is based upon a claim that the Services performed or delivered under this Agreement infringes or otherwise violates the intellectual property rights of any person or entity.


Release of information

Except as required by law, no public release of any information, or confirmation or denial of same, with respect to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, will be made by Contractor without the prior written approval of Company.


Timely performance

Contractor’s timely performance is a critical element of this Agreement.

If Contractor becomes aware of difficulty in performing the Services, Contractor shall timely notify Company, in writing, giving pertinent details. This notification shall not change any delivery schedule.


Waiver, approval, and remedies

Failure by Company to enforce any of the provision(s) of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of the requirement(s) of such provision(s), or as a waiver of the right of Company thereafter to enforce each and every such provision(s).

Company’s approval of documents shall not relieve Contractor from complying with any requirements of this Agreement.

The rights and remedies of Company in this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or in equity.


Amendments and notice

A. Sole authority to make changes in or amendments to this Agreement on behalf of Company rests with the , and no direction shall be valid unless in writing.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

[ No signatories assigned ]
Pending
[ No signatories assigned ]
Pending

Addendum A

Covenant Not To Compete

In consideration for the execution of the Professional Services Agreement to which this Addendum A is attached and the fees to paid thereunder, I, , agree to the following:

Restrictions Following Termination of Employment:

For the 0 years following the effective date of the Professional Services Agreement ( through ), I will not, on my own or in association with others, either be directly or indirectly employed by or engage in or be associated with or tender advice or services as an employee, advisor, director, officer, partner, consultant or otherwise by or with any corporation, partnership, or other business considered to be a Competitor of the Corporation. During that 0 years, I also agree not to interfere with, disrupt, or attempt to disrupt the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Corporation and any customer, supplier or employee of the Corporation. This paragraph 1(a) will not apply if the Company CEO of the Corporation waives in writing the restrictions of this paragraph 1(a) as it applies to a particular position or Competitor.

Following my termination of employment with the Corporation, I will refrain from making any statement adverse to the interests of the Corporation where it is reasonably foreseeable or intended that the statement would cause material harm to the Corporation either financially or by a diminution in reputation.

I acknowledge and agree that the scope and duration of the restrictions set forth in this Addendum A are necessary to be effective and are fair and reasonable in light of the value of the Professional Services Agreement. I further acknowledge and agree that these restrictions are reasonably required for the protection of the Corporation’s legitimate business interests from unfair competition as a result of the high level executive and management positions I have held within the Corporation and the attendant access to and extensive knowledge of the Corporation’s Proprietary Information.

I acknowledge that the Corporation’s remedies at law may be inadequate to protect the Corporation against any actual or threatened breach of the provisions of this Covenant Not To Compete, and, therefore, without prejudice to any other rights and remedies otherwise available at law or in equity (including but not limited to, an action for damages), the Corporation shall be entitled to the granting of injunctive relief in its favor without proof of actual damages and to specific performance of any such provisions of this Covenant Not To Compete.

It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Covenant Not To Compete shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought.

Accordingly, if any particular portion of this Covenant Not To Compete is adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, this Covenant Not to Compete shall be deemed amended to delete therefrom the portion thus adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such deletion to apply only with respect to the operation of this provision in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made.

For purposes of this Addendum A, “Competitor” means , or any successor to all or part of the business of any such company as a result of a merger, reorganization, consolidation, spin-off, split-up, acquisition, divestiture, operation of law or similar transaction.

This Covenant Not To Compete shall be governed by and interpreted in a manner consistent with the laws of the without reference to the principles of conflicts of law.

[ No signatories assigned ]
Pending
[ No signatories assigned ]
Pending

Use this template

Disclaimer: The original creator, the author of this template, and fynk GmbH are not responsible for any damages or liabilities that may result from using this template. This template should not be considered a substitute for legal advice, and consulting with a legal professional is recommended before use. fynk GmbH, the original creator, and the author do not provide legal advice and will not be held accountable for any legal consequences arising from its use.

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Background Information

Set Clear Terms for Independent Consulting Engagements

Learn how a professional services agreement formalizes the relationship with contractors, outlines deliverables and compensation, and safeguards both parties through confidentiality, conflict of interest, and non-compete provisions.

What is a professional services agreement?

A professional services agreement (PSA) is a legal contract between a company and an individual or entity providing specialized services. These services often include consulting, IT support, marketing, financial advisory, or other expert work that requires professional skills.

The agreement sets out the terms of the relationship, including:

  • The specific services to be provided
  • Payment terms and invoicing schedules
  • Confidentiality and data protection obligations
  • Ownership of intellectual property created during the engagement
  • Termination rights and dispute resolution methods

Unlike employment contracts, a PSA does not create an employer-employee relationship. Instead, it defines the contractor as an independent party responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and liabilities. This distinction is crucial for compliance with labor laws and tax regulations.

Looking for a permenant employment contract template? Try this:

Who needs a professional services agreement?

A professional services agreement is useful whenever a business engages external professionals or independent contractors. Common users include:

  • Businesses and startups hiring consultants, developers, or designers for specific projects.

  • Consultants and freelancers who want clear terms with their clients.

  • Agencies providing marketing, IT, or legal services.

  • Enterprises working with multiple vendors under a master professional services agreement.

How professional services agreements safeguard your interests

A well-drafted PSA protects both businesses and service providers by including critical safeguards:

  • Defined scope of work: Prevents scope creep by specifying exactly what services are included.

  • Clear compensation terms: Outlines payment amounts, schedules, and remedies for late or missed payments.

  • Confidentiality: Protects sensitive business information, trade secrets, and customer data.

  • Independent contractor status: Clarifies that the service provider is not an employee, avoiding tax or labor misclassification.

  • IP ownership: Specifies who owns the work product created during the engagement.

  • Liability and indemnification: Allocates responsibility for damages and legal claims.

  • Termination rights: Establishes when and how either party can end the agreement.

What’s included in a standard professional services agreement?

A professional services agreement can run several pages because it covers many important areas of the business–contractor relationship. Below are the standard components you’ll typically find:

Services and scope of work

The scope of services clause defines what the contractor is expected to deliver. It outlines project scope, tasks, deliverables, timelines, and performance standards. By setting these details in writing, you prevent scope creep and ensure the contractor and client share the same expectations.

Term and renewal

The agreement specifies how long the relationship lasts and whether it can be renewed. Some contracts run for a fixed term (e.g., six months), while others allow renewals if both parties agree. A defined term gives both sides clarity on project timelines and obligations.

Compensation and invoicing

Payment terms are a core part of the contract. The compensation clause outlines how much the contractor will be paid, how and when invoices should be submitted, acceptable payment methods, and penalties for late payments. Clear payment structures reduce the risk of disputes.

Independent contractor status

A crucial clause clarifies that the service provider is an independent contractor, not an employee. This protects the hiring company from employment claims and ensures the contractor remains responsible for their own taxes, benefits, and insurance.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality obligations protect sensitive business data, intellectual property, and client information. Both parties agree not to disclose confidential material to third parties without permission, safeguarding trade secrets and competitive information.

Intellectual property rights

When contractors create work product—such as reports, software code, or designs—ownership must be clearly defined. Many agreements specify that intellectual property created during the engagement belongs to the client once payment is made. Contractors may retain limited rights for portfolio use unless restricted.

Liability and indemnification

This section allocates responsibility if something goes wrong. Contractors may be required to indemnify the company against losses arising from negligence, legal violations, or third-party claims. At the same time, liability limitations can protect contractors from excessive damages.

Termination and default

Outlines how the agreement can be ended early, whether for convenience (with notice) or for cause (such as non-performance or breach). Termination clauses provide remedies for unpaid fees and clarify how outstanding work will be handled.

Learn about the breach of contract and its concequences.

Governing law and dispute resolution

Specifies which jurisdiction’s laws apply and how disputes will be resolved. Some agreements mandate arbitration or mediation before litigation to reduce costs and delays.

Non-compete and non-solicitation (optional)

An optional addendum may restrict the contractor from working with direct competitors or soliciting the company’s clients for a defined period after the contract ends. This helps protect the hiring company’s business interests.

Free professional services agreement template for consulting

Drafting your own agreement is resource-intensive and risks overlooking key legal protections. That’s why using a professional services agreement template is so valuable.

Our template includes:

  • Standardized clauses for services, payments, confidentiality, intellectual property, and liability.

  • Independent contractor framework to ensure tax and labor law compliance.

  • Termination and dispute resolution terms that provide clear exit strategies.

  • Optional addenda for non-compete or non-solicitation restrictions.

With fynk, you can adapt the template to fit different scenarios, whether it’s for a one-off consulting engagement or a master professional services agreement that governs multiple projects. Templates save time, reduce negotiation friction, and provide consistency across contracts.

Start customizing your professional services agreement template today and safeguard your next collaboration.

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FAQs

How does a professional services agreement differ from an employment contract?
A professional services agreement defines an independent contractor relationship. Contractors are responsible for their own taxes and insurance, unlike employees.
What industries most often rely on professional services agreements?
Consulting, IT, legal, design, and financial advisory are among the industries where PSAs are commonly used.
Can PSAs include non-compete clauses?
Yes, many templates include optional non-compete or non-solicitation clauses to protect the client’s business interests.

Ready to sign?
Use this template today.

Clause Library: learn more about the clauses in this template

Learn more about the clauses appearing in this template and find other clauses that are used in real contracts.

Scope of services

The "Scope of Services" clause outlines the specific duties, responsibilities, and deliverables that a party is obligated to perform under a contract. It defines the parameters of the work to be completed, ensuring both parties have a clear understanding of what is expected and reducing the potential for disputes.

11 example clauses

Compensation

The compensation clause outlines the payment terms agreed upon between the parties involved in a contract, specifying the amount, schedule, and method of payment for services rendered or work completed. It ensures transparency and sets expectations regarding financial responsibilities and obligations.

10 example clauses

Independent contractor

An independent contractor clause establishes the relationship between the parties, specifying that the contractor is not an employee and will work independently, managing their own schedule and methods of completing the work. This clause typically outlines the responsibilities of the contractor, their lack of entitlement to employee benefits, and their obligation to pay their own taxes.

23 example clauses

Confidentiality clause

A confidentiality clause is a provision in a contract that obligates one or both parties to keep certain information confidential and not to disclose it to third parties without prior consent. This clause is designed to protect sensitive information such as trade secrets, business strategies, and proprietary data shared during the course of the contractual relationship.

20 example clauses

Intellectual property

The intellectual property clause in a contract defines the ownership rights and usage conditions for any creations, inventions, or proprietary information that are developed, exchanged, or used during the course of the agreement. It typically outlines whether the intellectual property rights are retained by the creator, transferred to another party, or shared among parties, detailing any limitations and obligations associated with these rights.

23 example clauses

Addendum

An addendum is a supplementary document added to an existing contract that modifies, clarifies, or adds new terms or conditions without altering the original agreement's fundamental nature. It ensures that any changes or additional provisions are formally incorporated and acknowledged by all parties involved.

21 example clauses

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