{ "name": "US physician non-compete law by state", "source": "https://www.joinandwise.com/contracts/noncompete", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "note": "General information, not legal advice. Each jurisdiction lists its citations and the date it was checked.", "jurisdictions": [ { "code": "AL", "name": "Alabama", "category": "banned", "summary": "Alabama voids contracts restraining a 'lawful profession' except as the statute allows, and preserves the court-recognized professional exemption. Under that exemption, the Alabama Supreme Court has held covenants restraining a physician's practice void. The rule is case law, not a physician-specific statute.", "exceptions": [ "Ala. Code § 8-1-190(b) permits certain restraints (sale of business goodwill, employee covenants with a 'commercial entity', partnership or entity dissolution); how these apply to professionals is unsettled" ], "appliesTo": "Professionals as recognized by Alabama courts (the statute does not define the term). Odess v. Taylor (Ala. 1968) applied the exemption to a physician; courts have reportedly treated physical therapists as professionals too.", "citations": [ { "title": "Ala. Code § 8-1-190 (Act 2015-465)", "url": "https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=8-1-190", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Ala. Code § 8-1-196 (professional exemptions preserved)", "url": "https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=8-1-196", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Odess v. Taylor, 282 Ala. 389, 211 So. 2d 805 (Ala. 1968)", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1861986/odess-v-taylor/", "type": "court" }, { "title": "Burr & Forman via Medical Association of the State of Alabama (Jan 25, 2023)", "url": "https://alabamamedicine.org/?p=8042", "type": "secondary" }, { "title": "Bradley, Noncompete Agreements: Alabama (2021)", "url": "https://www.bradley.com/-/media/files/insights/publications/2021/03/noncompete-agreements_alabama.pdf", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Rests on case law: the 2015 statute (Ala. Code § 8-1-190 et seq.) preserves the courts' professional exemption, and Odess v. Taylor (1968) held a physician covenant void. No appellate decision applying this to post-2016 agreements was found, and how the statute's employer exceptions interact with the exemption is unsettled. Whether customer non-solicitation restrictions on professionals are also unenforceable is less clear." }, { "code": "AK", "name": "Alaska", "category": "general", "summary": "Alaska has no non-compete statute and no physician-specific rule. Courts apply common-law reasonableness; under Data Management v. Greene (1988), an overbroad covenant is reasonably altered and enforced unless the employer fails to prove it was drafted in good faith.", "appliesTo": "All workers under common law; no clinician-specific statute.", "citations": [ { "title": "Data Management, Inc. v. Greene, 757 P.2d 62 (Alaska 1988)", "url": "https://law.justia.com/cases/alaska/supreme-court/1988/757-p2d-62.html", "type": "court" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "No statute; the rule comes from Data Management, Inc. v. Greene (1988). The 2025-2026 Legislature enacted no noncompete bill." }, { "code": "AZ", "name": "Arizona", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific statute. Noncompetes are judged case by case for reasonableness; the Arizona Supreme Court (Valley Medical Specialists v. Farber, 1999) strictly construes physician covenants, weighing patients' choice of doctor, and courts may strike severable terms but not rewrite them.", "appliesTo": "All employees under common law. No clinician-specific noncompete statute; Arizona's only noncompete statute (A.R.S. § 23-494) covers broadcast employees.", "citations": [ { "title": "Valley Medical Specialists v. Farber, 194 Ariz. 363, 982 P.2d 1277 (1999)", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1253291/valley-medical-specialists-v-farber/", "type": "court" }, { "title": "Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 23 index (Article 15, Noncompete Clauses)", "url": "https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=23", "type": "statute" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Farber places the burden on the party enforcing the covenant and weighs patient choice and continuity of care; courts may strike severable terms but not rewrite them. General noncompete bills (HB 2589 in 2025, HB 2361 in 2026) were not enacted." }, { "code": "AR", "name": "Arkansas", "category": "banned", "summary": "Since Act 232 of 2025, a noncompete ancillary to employment that restricts a physician (MD or DO) from practicing within the physician's scope of practice is void. Covenants tied to a business sale or other non-employment relationships fall outside this statute.", "exceptions": [ "§ 4-75-101 does not apply to covenants ancillary to other contractual relationships, including the sale and purchase of a business, franchise agreements, and any agreement not ancillary to employment; common law governs those (§ 4-75-101(h))", "Does not impair protections under the Arkansas Trade Secrets Act (§ 4-75-101(j)(1))" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians authorized or licensed to practice medicine under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act and persons authorized to practice osteopathy. Other persons licensed under Ark. Code Title 17, Subtitle 3 (medical professions) are excluded from § 4-75-101's framework, so common law applies to them.", "effective": "2025-08-05", "citations": [ { "title": "Ark. Act 232 of 2025 (SB 139), approved 3/4/2025", "url": "https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FACT232.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Arkansas Legislature, Code Sections Amended, Title 4, 2025 Regular Session", "url": "https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/CodeSection?section=4&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Arkansas Legislature, Code Sections Amended, Title 4, 2026 Fiscal Session", "url": "https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/CodeSection?section=4&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2026F", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Mitchell Williams, 2025 Arkansas insurance legislation summary (reports AG Op. 2025-032: acts without emergency clause effective Aug. 5, 2025)", "url": "https://www.mitchellwilliamslaw.com/2025-arkansas-insurance-legislation-summary-general", "type": "secondary" }, { "title": "Littler, Arkansas Bans Physician Non-Compete Agreements", "url": "https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/arkansas-bans-physician-non-compete-agreements", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Act 232 has no emergency clause; the Aug. 5, 2025 effective date follows the Arkansas Attorney General's opinion on the 2025 general effective date (reported in secondary sources; the opinion was not loaded). The Act does not say whether it reaches agreements signed earlier. Other licensed health professionals remain under common law." }, { "code": "CA", "name": "California", "category": "banned-general", "summary": "Non-competes are void for nearly all workers, including physicians, regardless of where or when signed. Exceptions: sale of a business or of an owner's entire interest, and partnership/LLC dissolution or departure. Since 2026, competition bans in private-equity or hedge-fund practice-management deals are also void.", "exceptions": [ "Sale of the goodwill of a business, of all of an owner's ownership interest, or of all/substantially all operating assets with goodwill (Bus. & Prof. Code § 16601)", "Partner, upon or in anticipation of partnership dissolution or the partner's dissociation (§ 16602)", "LLC member, upon or in anticipation of dissolution or termination of the member's interest (§ 16602.5)", "Under SB 351, an otherwise enforceable sale-of-business noncompete survives, but a private-equity/hedge-fund contract may not operate as an employee noncompete (Health & Safety Code § 1191(d)(3))" ], "appliesTo": "Any person restrained from a lawful profession, trade or business, including employees and contractors; covers physicians, NPs, PAs and other clinicians. SB 351 (H&S Code § 1191(d)) covers providers in physician or dental practices managed by, or selling assets to, private equity groups or hedge funds.", "effective": "2024-01-01", "upcoming": { "date": "2027-01-01", "change": "Under AB 1697 (Stats. 2026, ch. 889), contracts entered on or after this date may not require a worker to repay a debt or pay a fee, cost or penalty when employment ends (stay-or-pay terms); such terms are void under § 16600. Exceptions include qualifying discretionary sign-on or retention bonuses in a separate agreement and government loan-repayment or grant-funded recruitment programs." }, "citations": [ { "title": "Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 16600-16608 (Contracts in Restraint of Trade)", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=7.&title=&part=2.&chapter=1.&article=", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "SB 351 (Stats. 2025, ch. 409), Health & Safety Code §§ 1190-1192", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB351", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "AB 1697 (Stats. 2026, ch. 889), amending Bus. & Prof. Code § 16608", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1697", "type": "session-law" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "§ 16600.5 (2024) makes void covenants unenforceable regardless of where or when signed and gives workers a private right of action. SB 351 (2025, effective 2026) voids competition clauses in private-equity or hedge-fund practice-management deals. The upcoming item is a stay-or-pay rule that the statute treats as a void restraint of trade; it reaches sign-on and retention repayment terms." }, { "code": "CO", "name": "Colorado", "category": "banned", "summary": "For covenants entered or renewed on or after Aug. 6, 2025, noncompetes and customer non-solicits restricting the practice of medicine (including PAs), advanced practice nursing or dentistry are void, with no high-earner exception. Owner and sale-of-business covenants remain allowed, with limits.", "limits": { "incomeThreshold": "Not available to physicians: the highly-compensated-worker exceptions for trade-secret noncompetes (C.R.S. 8-2-113(2)(b)) and customer non-solicits (2)(d) exclude covenants restricting the practice of medicine, APRN practice, or dentistry", "otherConditions": [ "A covenant counts as restricting practice if it bars or materially restricts telling prior patients about the provider's continuing practice, new contact information, or the patient's right to choose a provider (8-2-113(5.5))", "Sale-of-business covenant for a minority owner who received the ownership share as equity compensation or for services: duration in years may not exceed total sale consideration divided by average annualized cash compensation from the business (prior two years, or the affiliation period if shorter)", "Any otherwise-permitted noncompete is void without separate, signed advance notice to the worker (8-2-113(4))", "Employers that present or try to enforce void covenants face actual damages and a $5,000 per-worker penalty; the Attorney General may enforce (8-2-113(8)-(9))" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Covenant related to the purchase and sale of a business, a direct or indirect ownership share, or all or substantially all assets, restricting an owner (duration cap for equity-compensated minority owners)", "Reasonable confidentiality or trade-secret provisions that do not bar use of general training, knowledge, skill or experience, or public information", "Recovery of the reasonable cost of distinct (non-ordinary) training, declining proportionately over two years", "Repayment of a scholarship provided to an individual in an apprenticeship" ], "appliesTo": "All workers under the general rule. Physician-specific limits cover covenants restricting the practice of medicine (defined to include physician assistants), APRN practice, or dentistry. The 'health-care provider' definition used in the patient-notice rule also lists certified midwives.", "effective": "2025-08-06", "citations": [ { "title": "SB25-083, Concerning Limitations on Restrictive Employment Agreements (enrolled; 2025 Colo. Sess. Laws ch. 366)", "url": "https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/2025a_083_enr.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "SB25-083 bill page (Became Law; signed 06/03/2025; effective 08/06/2025)", "url": "https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-083", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "C.R.S. § 8-2-113 (2024 compilation, before SB25-083)", "url": "https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-08.pdf", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Epstein Becker Green via NatLawReview, Montana, Indiana, Colorado, Oregon and Utah amend restrictive covenant laws (June 18, 2025)", "url": "https://natlawreview.com/article/montana-indiana-colorado-oregon-and-utah-amend-restrictive-covenant-laws-healthcare", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "SB25-083 applies to covenants entered or renewed on or after Aug. 6, 2025; earlier physician covenants follow the prior statute, which voided practice restrictions but allowed reasonable damages clauses. Clinicians may tell prior patients about their continuing practice, contact information and right to choose a provider. Colorado separately voids most noncompetes for other workers below a high-earner threshold." }, { "code": "CT", "name": "Connecticut", "category": "restricted", "summary": "Physician noncompetes must be reasonable and, since July 1, 2016, are capped at one year and 15 miles from the primary practice site. They are unenforceable if the employer terminates without cause or lets a non-ownership contract expire without a comparable renewal offer.", "limits": { "maxMiles": 15, "maxMonths": 12, "otherConditions": [ "Valid only if necessary to protect a legitimate business interest, reasonably limited in time, geography and practice restrictions, and consistent with law and public policy; the party seeking enforcement bears the burden of proof", "15 miles is measured from the primary site where the physician practices (a single office, facility or location agreed by the parties and defined in the covenant)", "Unenforceable if the employer terminates the relationship without cause", "Unenforceable if a contract not made in anticipation of a partnership or ownership agreement expires and is not renewed, unless the employer made a bona fide renewal offer on the same or similar terms before expiration", "For covenants entered, amended, extended or renewed on or after Oct 1, 2023: unenforceable if the physician declines a proposed material change to compensation terms at extension/renewal and the employer then lets the contract expire or terminates without cause", "Each covenant must be separately and individually signed by the physician" ] }, "exceptions": [ "The Oct 2023 compensation-change rule does not apply to covenants with a group practice of not more than 35 physicians that is majority-owned by physicians" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians licensed under C.G.S. ch. 370; covenants entered into, amended, extended or renewed on or after July 1, 2016. Parallel rules for physician assistants (§ 20-12k) and APRNs (§ 20-101d) apply to covenants on or after Oct 1, 2023, without the small-group-practice carve-out.", "effective": "2023-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p (Covenants not to compete involving physician)", "url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_370.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-12k (physician assistants)", "url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_370.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-101d (advanced practice registered nurses)", "url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_378.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "2026 Supplement to the General Statutes, ch. 370 (no 2025-session change to § 20-14p)", "url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/sup/chap_370.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "HB 5492 (2026) bill status — not enacted", "url": "https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2026&bill_num=5492", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 6, 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "The caps apply to covenants entered, amended, extended or renewed on or after July 1, 2016. P.A. 23-97 added the compensation-change rule (covenants on or after Oct. 1, 2023) and parallel rules for PAs and APRNs. In Sala v. Premier Imaging Holdings (Conn. App. Ct., Aug. 2026, as reported), the court upheld vacating an arbitration award that enforced a two-year physician covenant." }, { "code": "DE", "name": "Delaware", "category": "banned", "summary": "Covenants not to compete in employment, partnership or corporate agreements between/among physicians that restrict practice in a locale or for a period after the agreement ends are void; other provisions, including reasonable damages tied to termination (which may relate to competition), remain enforceable.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Damages provisions are enforceable if the amount is reasonably related to the injury suffered by termination of the principal agreement, and may include competition-related damages" ] }, "exceptions": [ "All non-noncompete provisions of the agreement remain enforceable, including damages provisions reasonably related to the injury from termination" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians, in employment, partnership or corporate agreements 'between and/or among physicians'. No other clinicians (APRNs, PAs, etc.) are named in the statute.", "citations": [ { "title": "6 Del. C. § 2707", "url": "https://delcode.delaware.gov/title6/c027/sc01/index.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "64 Del. Laws c. 175 (SB 294, 1983)", "url": "https://legis.delaware.gov/SessionLaws/Chapter?id=23442", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Unchanged since 1983 (64 Del. Laws c. 175). The text covers agreements 'between and/or among physicians' and does not expressly address hospital or other non-physician employers." }, { "code": "DC", "name": "District of Columbia", "category": "restricted", "summary": "DC bans noncompetes for workers below an indexed pay threshold. Noncompetes for physicians qualifying as 'medical specialists' (2026: compensation at least $270,274) may run up to 730 days if they state scope and geography and are provided 14 days in advance.", "limits": { "maxMonths": 24, "incomeThreshold": "2026 (DOES): banned below $162,164 for most employees and below $270,274 for medical specialists; base $150,000 / $250,000, CPI-indexed each January 1", "otherConditions": [ "Medical specialist term may not exceed 730 calendar days after separation (365 days for other highly compensated employees)", "Agreement must specify the functional scope of the restriction and its geographic limits", "Noncompete must be provided in writing at least 14 days before employment starts or before the employee must sign", "Employer must give the statutory DOES notice to a highly compensated employee when proposing a noncompete", "'Medical specialist' = highly compensated employee primarily delivering medical services who holds a license to practice medicine, is a physician, completed residency, and receives total compensation of at least $250,000", "Applies to agreements executed on or after October 1, 2022" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Seller's covenant in or contemporaneous with the sale of a business", "Provisions restricting disclosure or use of confidential or proprietary employer information", "Restrictions on outside paid work during employment for confidentiality, conflict-of-interest, conflict-of-commitment (higher education) or legal-compliance reasons", "Long-term incentive provisions" ], "appliesTo": "Private-sector employees who spend more than 50% of work time in DC, or are based in DC and spend substantial time there and not more than 50% in another jurisdiction. Excludes DC and federal government employees and partners in a partnership. Physicians fall under the 'medical specialist' tier; other clinicians use the general threshold and 365-day cap.", "effective": "2022-10-01", "citations": [ { "title": "D.C. Code § 32-581.01 (definitions)", "url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/32-581.01", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "D.C. Code § 32-581.02 (prohibition for covered employees)", "url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/32-581.02", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "D.C. Code § 32-581.03 (highly compensated employees)", "url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/32-581.03", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "D.C. Code § 32-581.03a (disclosures)", "url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/32-581.03a", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "DOES public notice, District of Columbia Prohibition on Non-Compete Clauses (2026)", "url": "https://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/publication/attachments/2026%20Ban%20on%20Non-Compete%20Clauses_0.pdf", "type": "agency" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Thresholds are indexed each January 1. The 'medical specialist' definition uses a fixed $250,000 test while the specialist pay threshold is indexed, so a physician's tier can depend on exact pay. Applies to employees who spend more than half their work time in DC; excludes partners." }, { "code": "FL", "name": "Florida", "category": "restricted", "summary": "Noncompetes are generally enforceable if reasonable and supported by a legitimate business interest (§ 542.335). A physician covenant is void where one entity employs or contracts with all physicians of that specialty in the county. The 2025 CHOICE Act excludes health care practitioners.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "§ 542.336: a covenant with an MD/DO practicing a specialty in a county where one entity (with affiliates) employs or contracts with all physicians in that specialty is not supported by a legitimate business interest and is void; it stays void for 3 years after a second entity begins offering that specialty in the county", "§ 542.335(1)(a): covenant must be in a writing signed by the person against whom enforcement is sought", "§ 542.335(1)(d)1: for former employees/contractors (not tied to a sale), restraints of 6 months or less are presumed reasonable and over 2 years presumed unreasonable (rebuttable)", "§ 542.335(1)(c): courts must modify overbroad or overlong restraints rather than refuse enforcement", "§ 542.335(1)(g): courts may not consider individual hardship but must consider the effect on public health, safety and welfare" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Sale of a business or professional practice: restraints of 3 years or less presumed reasonable, over 7 years presumed unreasonable (§ 542.335(1)(d)3)", "CHOICE Act (§§ 542.41-542.45) does not apply to a 'health care practitioner' as defined in s. 456.001 (§ 542.43(3))" ], "appliesTo": "§ 542.336: physicians licensed under ch. 458 (allopathic) or ch. 459 (osteopathic). § 542.335 applies to restrictive covenants generally. The CHOICE Act's 'covered employee' definition excludes all health care practitioners as defined in s. 456.001, a group broader than physicians.", "effective": "2019-06-25", "citations": [ { "title": "Fla. Stat. § 542.336 (2026 Florida Statutes)", "url": "http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0542/0542.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Fla. Stat. § 542.336 (Florida Senate, 2026 Statutes)", "url": "https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/542.336", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Ch. 2019-138, Laws of Fla. (creating § 542.336)", "url": "http://laws.flrules.org/2019/138", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "CS/CS/CS/HB 1219 (2025), Ch. 2025-213 (Florida CHOICE Act)", "url": "https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1219", "type": "session-law" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "§ 542.336 took effect June 25, 2019. The 2025 CHOICE Act, which strengthens enforcement for high earners, excludes health care practitioners. Physician noncompete bills in 2025 (HB 485, SB 942) died." }, { "code": "GA", "name": "Georgia", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific rule. Georgia's Restrictive Covenants Act allows post-employment noncompetes for listed employee types, including professionals, if reasonable in time, area, and scope; two years or less is presumed reasonable. Courts may modify overbroad covenants.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Post-employment noncompetes are enforceable only against employees who customarily solicit customers, make sales, perform specified management duties, or perform the duties of a key employee or a professional (O.C.G.A. § 13-8-53(a))", "Former employees (not tied to a sale): restraints of two years or less presumed reasonable; more than two years presumed unreasonable (§ 13-8-57(b))", "Must be reasonable in time, geographic area, and scope of prohibited activities; non-compliant covenants are void, but a court may modify them so long as the modified covenant is no more restrictive than as drafted (§ 13-8-53(a), (d))" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Sale or ownership of a business or professional practice: restraints up to the longer of 5 years or the payout period presumed reasonable (§ 13-8-57(d))", "Customer nonsolicitation covenants are permitted for employees generally, limited to customers with whom the employee had material contact (§ 13-8-53(b))" ], "appliesTo": "Employees in the § 13-8-53(a) categories. 'Professional' means an employee whose primary duty requires advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning acquired by prolonged specialized instruction (§ 13-8-51(14)). The Act has no physician or clinician-specific provision.", "citations": [ { "title": "O.C.G.A. § 13-8-53 (2025 Code, via Justia)", "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-13/chapter-8/article-4/section-13-8-53/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "O.C.G.A. § 13-8-57 (2025 Code, via Justia)", "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-13/chapter-8/article-4/section-13-8-57/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "O.C.G.A. § 13-8-51 (2025 Code, via Justia)", "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-13/chapter-8/article-4/section-13-8-51/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Georgia General Assembly, HR 592 (2025-2026): House Study Committee on Noncompete Clauses in Physician Contracts", "url": "https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/236048", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Enacted 2011 (HB 30). HR 592 (introduced 2025), a resolution to create a House study committee on physician noncompetes, was reported by committee in February 2026 but never adopted." }, { "code": "HI", "name": "Hawaii", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific rule. HRS § 480-4 bans non-compete and non-solicit clauses only for technology-business employees; other covenants, including physicians', are judged for reasonableness. Sale-of-business, partner-withdrawal and trade-secret covenants are expressly permitted if reasonable.", "exceptions": [ "Covenant by the transferor of a business not to compete within a reasonable area and time (HRS § 480-4(c)(1))", "Covenant between partners not to compete with the partnership upon a partner's withdrawal, within reasonable area and time (§ 480-4(c)(2))", "Employee/agent covenant not to use the employer's trade secrets, for a reasonably necessary time without undue hardship (§ 480-4(c)(4))" ], "appliesTo": "All workers; the statutory ban (§ 480-4(d)) covers only employees of technology businesses (software/IT development), not physicians or other clinicians.", "citations": [ { "title": "Haw. Rev. Stat. § 480-4", "url": "https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol11_Ch0476-0490/HRS0480/HRS_0480-0004.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Last amended 2015 (technology-business ban). 2026 enactments were checked only indirectly because the Legislature's bill-status pages were unreachable." }, { "code": "ID", "name": "Idaho", "category": "general", "summary": "Idaho Code § 44-2701 et seq. permits non-competes with 'key employees' and 'key independent contractors' if reasonable in duration, area and scope. Up to 18 months is presumed reasonable; longer requires added consideration. Courts must modify overbroad terms. No physician-specific statute.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Post-employment restriction may exceed 18 months only if consideration beyond employment or continued employment is given (§ 44-2704(1)).", "Agreement must be written, protect the employer's legitimate business interests (goodwill, customers, referral sources, trade secrets, etc.), and be no broader than reasonably necessary (§ 44-2701).", "Rebuttable presumptions of reasonableness: 18 months or less; area limited to where the worker provided services or had significant presence; scope limited to the worker's type of employment or line of business (§ 44-2704(2)-(4)).", "The highest-paid 5% of an employer's employees/contractors are presumed key employees; the worker may rebut by showing no ability to harm the employer's legitimate business interests (§ 44-2704(5)).", "Courts shall limit or modify unreasonable covenants and enforce them as modified (§ 44-2703)." ] }, "exceptions": [ "Chapter does not limit protection of trade secrets or other proprietary/confidential information (§ 44-2704(1))" ], "appliesTo": "Key employees and key independent contractors of any employer; no clinician-specific provisions.", "citations": [ { "title": "Idaho Code § 44-2701", "url": "https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title44/t44ch27/sect44-2701/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Idaho Code § 44-2702", "url": "https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title44/t44ch27/sect44-2702/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Idaho Code § 44-2703", "url": "https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title44/t44ch27/sect44-2703/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Idaho Code § 44-2704", "url": "https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title44/t44ch27/sect44-2704/", "type": "statute" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Chapter last amended 2018. The 18-month figure is a rebuttable presumption, not a cap. 2025 HB 486 was filed and never advanced; no 2026 noncompete bill." }, { "code": "IL", "name": "Illinois", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific rule. Under the Freedom to Work Act, noncompetes are void for employees earning $75,000 a year or less and also require adequate consideration, written advice to consult an attorney and 14 days' review. The threshold rises to $80,000 on January 1, 2027.", "limits": { "incomeThreshold": "Noncompete: earnings must exceed $75,000/yr ($80,000 from 2027-01-01; $85,000 from 2032-01-01; $90,000 from 2037-01-01). Non-solicit: must exceed $45,000/yr ($47,500 from 2027-01-01; $50,000 from 2032; $52,500 from 2037).", "otherConditions": [ "Employer must advise the employee in writing to consult an attorney and give a copy at least 14 calendar days before employment starts or at least 14 days to review", "Adequate consideration required: at least 2 years of employment after signing, or other professional or financial benefits", "Covenant must be ancillary to valid employment, no greater than needed for a legitimate business interest, not unduly harsh on the employee, and not injurious to the public", "Void for employees terminated, furloughed or laid off due to COVID-19 or similar circumstances unless enforcement includes pay equal to base salary minus subsequent earnings", "Employee who prevails against an employer's enforcement claim recovers costs and reasonable attorney's fees", "Courts have discretion to reform or sever rather than void, but extensive judicial rewriting may be against public policy" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Definition excludes covenants in purchase or sale of business goodwill or acquisition/disposition of an ownership interest", "Definition excludes confidentiality, trade secret and invention-assignment agreements, garden-leave notice clauses, and no-rehire agreements", "Noncompetes and non-solicits entered after 2025-01-01 are unenforceable as to mental health services to veterans and first responders by licensed mental health professionals (psychologists, social workers, MFTs, professional counselors, Nurse Practice Act licensees) if enforcement would likely increase cost or difficulty of care; physicians licensed under the Medical Practice Act are not listed", "Non-competes (not non-solicits) are void for employees covered by collective bargaining under the Illinois Public Labor Relations or Educational Labor Relations Acts; both are void for most construction employees" ], "appliesTo": "All private-sector employees; governmental and quasi-governmental employers are excluded from the Act's definition of employer. Applies to covenants entered after 2022-01-01. No physician-specific statute.", "effective": "2022-01-01", "upcoming": { "date": "2027-01-01", "change": "Freedom to Work Act earnings threshold for covenants not to compete rises from $75,000 to $80,000 (non-solicit threshold from $45,000 to $47,500), per 820 ILCS 90/10 as already enacted." }, "citations": [ { "title": "Illinois Freedom to Work Act, 820 ILCS 90", "url": "https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=3737&ChapterID=68", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Public Act 103-0915 (mental health services to veterans and first responders)", "url": "https://ilga.gov/ftp/Public%20Acts/103/103-0915.htm", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "HB 4565 bill status (104th GA) — health care professional noncompete bill, not enacted", "url": "https://www.ilga.gov/ftp/legislation/104/BillStatus/HTML/10400HB4565.html", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Applies to covenants entered after Jan. 1, 2022. A 2024 amendment (P.A. 103-915, effective Jan. 1, 2025) limits noncompetes for licensed mental health professionals serving veterans and first responders; physicians are not listed. 2026 health care bills (HB 4565, HB 4221, SB 3607) were not enacted." }, { "code": "IN", "name": "Indiana", "category": "restricted", "summary": "Indiana prohibits noncompetes for primary care physicians (agreements from July 1, 2023) and between any physician and a hospital, hospital parent, affiliated manager or hospital system (agreements originally entered from July 1, 2025). Other physician noncompetes must include buyout, patient-notice and records terms.", "limits": { "buyoutRequired": true, "buyoutCap": "Physician must be offered an option to purchase a complete release 'at a reasonable price' (IC 25-22.5-5.5-2(a)(4)); for agreements originally entered on/after 2023-07-01 the employer must negotiate the price in good faith, with mediation available if no agreement (IC 25-22.5-5.5-2.6). No numeric cap.", "otherConditions": [ "To be enforceable, a physician noncompete (agreements on/after 2020-07-01) must require the employer to give the physician copies of departure notices sent to patients seen in the prior 2 years (patient identities redacted)", "Employer must in good faith give the physician's current contact/location information to patients seen in the prior 2 years who request it", "Physician must receive access to or copies of those patients' medical records upon patient consent, in a format not materially different from the format used in the ordinary course", "From 2023-07-01, a physician noncompete is not enforceable if the employer terminates without cause, the physician terminates for cause, or the contract expires with both sides' obligations fulfilled", "Primary care physicians (family medicine, general pediatrics, internal medicine) and an employer may not enter into a noncompete (agreements originally entered on/after 2023-07-01)", "A physician and a hospital, hospital parent company, affiliated manager of a hospital, or hospital system may not enter into a noncompete on/after 2025-07-01; any such agreement is void and unenforceable", "For the hospital rule, 'noncompete agreement' includes consent requirements, indirect restrictions, and repayment/bonus/training clawbacks triggered solely or primarily by practicing with a new employer when the physician has been employed by the hospital entity for at least 3 years" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Hospital-rule definition excludes nondisclosure agreements protecting confidential business information or trade secrets", "Hospital-rule definition excludes non-solicitation of current employees for up to 1 year, provided it does not restrict patient interactions, patient referrals, clinical collaboration or professional relationships", "Hospital-rule definition excludes agreements made in a bona fide sale of a business entity in which the physician owns more than 50%", "Hospital rule does not reach activities that are solely executive or managerial with no direct patient care", "Hospital rule does not apply to agreements originally entered before 2025-07-01; amendment or renewal of an existing agreement does not change the 'originally entered into' date", "Noncompetes between non-primary-care physicians and non-hospital employers (e.g., physician-owned practices) remain permitted if they meet the chapter's conditions" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians (MD/DO) only. Primary care ban covers any employer; 2025 ban covers hospitals, hospital parent companies, affiliated managers and hospital systems (including entities affiliated through ownership, governance or membership). No statutory coverage of APRNs, PAs or other clinicians found.", "effective": "2025-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Ind. Code ch. 25-22.5-5.5 (2026 Indiana Code, official)", "url": "https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/25#25-22.5-5.5", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Senate Enrolled Act 475 (2025), P.L.207-2025", "url": "https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0475/SB0475.04.ENRH.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Senate Enrolled Act 7 (2023), P.L.165-2023", "url": "https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/123/2023/senate/bills/SB0007/SB0007.05.ENRH.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Jackson Lewis: Indiana's amended physician non-compete statute bars physician-hospital agreements starting July 1", "url": "https://www.jacksonlewis.com/insights/indianas-amended-physician-non-compete-statute-bars-physician-hospital-agreements-starting-july-1", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Three layers: 2020 conditions for physician noncompetes; the 2023 primary care ban and unenforceability after termination without cause or expiration (SEA 7); and the 2025 hospital-system ban (SEA 475), which reaches agreements originally entered on or after July 1, 2025 but not renewals of older ones. Some secondary sources describe Indiana as banning noncompetes for all physicians; the statute's bans reach primary care physicians and hospital-affiliated employers." }, { "code": "IA", "name": "Iowa", "category": "general", "summary": "No general noncompete statute; courts apply reasonableness. A 2026 law requires a policy barring noncompetes in University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics employment contracts with physicians, PAs, ARNPs, RNs, LPNs and pharmacists entered, extended or renewed from June 2, 2026.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Board of Regents must develop a policy prohibiting UIHC from including a noncompete clause in employment contracts with an ARNP, LPN, pharmacist, physician, PA or RN (2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1173, adding Iowa Code § 262.9(43))", "'Noncompete clause' means any restriction on the provider's right to practice in any geographic area or for a defined period upon termination of the UIHC employment contract", "Applies to UIHC employment contracts entered into, extended, or renewed on or after the Act's effective date (enactment, 2026-06-02)" ] }, "appliesTo": "UIHC rule only: physicians (Iowa Code ch. 148), physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and pharmacists employed by University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. All other employers: common-law reasonableness, no physician-specific statute.", "effective": "2026-06-02", "citations": [ { "title": "2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1173 (H.F. 2254), amending Iowa Code § 262.9", "url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/iactc/91.2/CH1173.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "House File 2254, enrolled", "url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGE/91/HF2254.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Iowa Legislature: 2026 enrolled bills (HF 2254 signed and effective 06/02/2026)", "url": "https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/statutory/acts/enrolledBills?year=2026", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review: Physician noncompete crackdown, a 50-state guide", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "HF 2254 (2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1173) took effect on enactment, June 2, 2026; some secondary sources give July 1, 2026. It directs the Board of Regents to adopt a policy for UIHC only and does not reach private employers. The general reasonableness rule is common law and was not verified from case text." }, { "code": "KS", "name": "Kansas", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific statute. Courts may enforce physician noncompetes found reasonable under a four-factor test (Weber v. Tillman, 1996): legitimate business interest, burden on the physician, public welfare, and time and territory. K.S.A. 50-163 (amended 2025) presumes certain written non-solicitation covenants enforceable.", "exceptions": [ "Written covenants not to solicit customers or employees are conclusively presumed enforceable if they meet K.S.A. 50-163(c) conditions (e.g., employee covenants limited to material-contact customers and no more than two years; owner covenants up to four years); the employee or owner may still raise any defense", "K.S.A. 50-163(e)(6): the Kansas Restraint of Trade Act is not construed to apply to covenants not to compete (common law governs them)" ], "appliesTo": "All employees under common law. No clinician-specific noncompete statute.", "citations": [ { "title": "Weber v. Tillman, 259 Kan. 457, 913 P.2d 84 (1996)", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/7969238/weber-v-tillman/", "type": "court" }, { "title": "K.S.A. 50-163 (L. 2013, ch. 102; L. 2025, ch. 74)", "url": "https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/statute/050_000_0000_chapter/050_001_0000_article/050_001_0063_section/050_001_0063_k/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Kan. SB 504 (2026), Kansas healthcare professional employment mobility and patient access act (died)", "url": "https://www.kslegislature.gov/b2025_26/bills/SB504/", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Kan. HB 2650 (2026), noncompete reasonableness bill (died)", "url": "https://www.kslegislature.gov/b2025_26/bills/HB2650/", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Weber v. Tillman (1996) enforced a dermatologist's two-year, 30-mile covenant after weighing public welfare. K.S.A. 50-163 (amended 2025) addresses non-solicitation covenants, not noncompetes. SB 504 (2026), a health care noncompete ban, died." }, { "code": "KY", "name": "Kentucky", "category": "general", "summary": "No statute addresses physician noncompetes. Courts generally enforce covenants that are reasonable in duration, geography, and purpose, and may modify overbroad terms.", "appliesTo": "All employees under common law; no physician- or clinician-specific statute. KRS 216.724 limits noncompete clauses only for temporary direct-care staff of health care services agencies, not physicians.", "citations": [ { "title": "Kentucky LRC, 2026 RS bill index (only 'Covenant not to compete' entry: HB 813)", "url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/2000.html", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Kentucky LRC, 2026 RS HB 813 (general noncompete restriction; died in committee)", "url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb813.html", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Kentucky LRC, 2024 RS SB 324 (health service provider noncompete ban; died in committee)", "url": "https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/24RS/sb324.html", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Practical Law / Frost Brown Todd, Non-Compete Laws: Kentucky (law stated as of Jul 16, 2024)", "url": "https://frostbrowntodd.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Non-Compete-Laws-Kentucky-2-517-8501.pdf", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "No statute; the reasonableness rule comes from case law summarized in secondary sources. Bills in 2024 (SB 324, health providers), 2025 (HB 690, SB 234) and 2026 (HB 813) did not pass. KRS 216.724 limits noncompetes only for health care staffing-agency workers (not verified on the official site)." }, { "code": "LA", "name": "Louisiana", "category": "restricted", "summary": "Physician noncompetes must name parishes and generally last no more than two years after employment. Under a 2024 law, restraints cannot extend beyond three years (primary care) or five years (other physicians) from the initial contract's start; later contracts with that employer cannot include noncompetes.", "limits": { "maxMonths": 24, "otherConditions": [ "Restraint must be limited to specified parishes or municipalities where the employer carries on a like business (La. R.S. 23:921(C))", "Primary care physicians: a restraint may not exceed three years from the effective date of the initial contract; later contracts with the same employer after that term may not include noncompete provisions (23:921(M))", "All other physicians: same rule with a five-year term (23:921(N))", "If the physician terminates before the initial 3- or 5-year term ends, the restraint is limited to the parish of the physician's principal practice and no more than two contiguous parishes where the employer carries on a like business, specified in the contract, for no more than two years after termination" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Subsections M and N do not apply to physicians employed by or under contract with a rural hospital (Rural Hospital Preservation Act) or with a federally qualified health center operating in a rural parish; general rules (Subsections C, J, K, L) apply to them (23:921(O))", "Sale of business goodwill: up to two years from sale in specified parishes (23:921(B))", "Shareholders, partners and LLC members: up to two years after ceasing to be an owner, in specified parishes (23:921(J), (K), (L))", "Partnership dissolution: up to two years (23:921(E))" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians. 'Primary care physician' = predominantly practices general family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, general obstetrics or general gynecology; all other physicians fall under the five-year rule. Other clinicians are covered only by the general 23:921 rules.", "effective": "2025-01-01", "citations": [ { "title": "La. R.S. 23:921 (current text, official legislature site)", "url": "https://legis.la.gov/legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=155841", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "La. Acts 2024, No. 273 (SB 165), enrolled", "url": "https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1380721", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Resume digest, Act 273 (SB 165) of 2024", "url": "https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1384638", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "La. Acts 2026, No. 150 (HB 315), enrolled (interns/apprentices; not physician-specific)", "url": "https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1475140", "type": "session-law" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Act 273 of 2024 took effect Jan. 1, 2025. For contracts in force on that date, the three- or five-year term runs from Jan. 1, 2025, so on a literal reading such restraints cannot extend past Jan. 1, 2028 (primary care) or Jan. 1, 2030 (other physicians). Physicians at rural hospitals and rural FQHCs are exempt from the three- and five-year rule." }, { "code": "ME", "name": "Maine", "category": "banned", "summary": "Since July 29, 2026, employers may not require or permit noncompetes with health care practitioners, including physicians, lacking an ownership interest in the employing entity; applies to agreements entered or renewed on or after that date. Owners' noncompetes must be reasonable and recognize patient choice.", "limits": { "incomeThreshold": "General rule for all workers: noncompetes prohibited for employees earning wages at or below 400% of the federal poverty level (26 MRSA § 599-A(3)(A))", "otherConditions": [ "Employer must disclose before the job offer that a noncompete will be required, and provide a copy at least 3 business days before requiring signature (§ 599-A(4))", "An enforceable noncompete with a health care practitioner must recognize an individual's right to choose that individual's own health care practitioner (§ 599-A(2))", "Noncompetes are enforceable only if reasonable and no broader than necessary to protect trade secrets, confidential information, or goodwill (§ 599-A(2))", "Civil fine of not less than $5,000 for violating the prohibition or notice rules; Department of Labor enforces (§ 599-A(6))", "The general delay in a noncompete taking effect (later of 1 year of employment or 6 months after signing) does not apply to health care practitioner agreements (§ 599-A(5), as amended by PL 2025, c. 718)" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Health care practitioner who has an ownership interest in the employing entity (noncompete remains subject to the reasonableness test and the patient-choice requirement)" ], "appliesTo": "\"Health care practitioner\": any individual qualified or licensed under Maine law to perform or provide health care services in the State, so physicians plus other licensed clinicians (e.g., nurses, PAs). Applies to noncompetes entered into or renewed on or after the Act's effective date. Separate existing ban for non-owner veterinarians.", "effective": "2026-07-29", "citations": [ { "title": "26 M.R.S. § 599-A (Noncompete agreements)", "url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/26/title26sec599-A.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "P.L. 2025, c. 718 (L.D. 2200, H.P. 1479), approved April 15, 2026 — chaptered law", "url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1479&item=7&snum=132", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "L.D. 2200 bill status (132nd Legislature)", "url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=2200&snum=132", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Maine Legislature home page (general effective date of 2026 nonemergency laws: July 29, 2026)", "url": "https://legislature.maine.gov/", "type": "agency" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 6, 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "P.L. 2025, c. 718 (LD 2200), approved April 15, 2026, has no emergency clause; the Legislature's general effective date for that session is July 29, 2026, though some law-firm alerts say July 13. It applies statewide, not only to rural practitioners. Agreements signed before the effective date and not renewed are not covered." }, { "code": "MD", "name": "Maryland", "category": "restricted", "summary": "For licensed health care workers providing direct patient care (including physicians), noncompetes are void if total annual compensation is $350,000 or less; above that, limited to 1 year and 10 miles. Applies to agreements executed on/after July 1, 2025.", "limits": { "maxMiles": 10, "maxMonths": 12, "incomeThreshold": "$350,000 total annual compensation: void at or below; 1-year / 10-mile limits above", "otherConditions": [ "Above-$350,000 tier: on a patient's request, the employer must tell the patient the former employee's new practice location", "Health care provisions apply only to agreements executed on or after July 1, 2025 (Ch. 378 of 2024, Section 3)", "Distance measured from the 'primary place of employment' (term not defined); 'total annual compensation' not defined", "Separately, noncompetes are void for any employee earning 150% of the State minimum wage or less" ] }, "exceptions": [ "The void-provision subsection does not apply to provisions on taking or using client or patient lists or other proprietary client- or patient-related information" ], "appliesTo": "Employees required to be licensed under the Health Occupations Article who work in positions providing direct patient care (physicians, and also other licensed clinicians such as PAs, nurses/APRNs, dentists). Licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians are separately covered by the full ban regardless of pay. Statute addresses employment contracts; owner/partner agreements are not expressly addressed.", "effective": "2025-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 3-716", "url": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gle§ion=3-716&enactments=false", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "2024 Md. Laws Ch. 378 (HB 1388)", "url": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2024RS/Chapters_noln/CH_378_hb1388e.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "HB 1388 (2024 RS) bill page", "url": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1388?ys=2024RS", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "2026 Md. Laws Ch. 301 (HB 1016) - architects amendment to § 3-716", "url": "https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_301_hb1016e.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Ch. 378 of 2024 (HB 1388); the health care provisions apply only to agreements executed on or after July 1, 2025. 'Total annual compensation' and 'primary place of employment' are not defined. A 2026 amendment (Ch. 301, architects) did not change the health care text." }, { "code": "MA", "name": "Massachusetts", "category": "banned", "summary": "Contract provisions restricting a registered physician's right to practice medicine in any geographic area for any period after the professional relationship ends are void and unenforceable; the rest of the contract survives. Similar statutes cover nurses and social workers.", "appliesTo": "Physicians registered to practice medicine under M.G.L. c. 112 § 2 (partnership, employment, or other professional relationships). Separate statutes void similar restrictions for registered and licensed practical nurses (c. 112 § 74D) and licensed social workers (c. 112 § 135C). Other workers, including clinicians not covered by these sections, fall under the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act (c. 149 § 24L: 12-month cap, notice, garden leave or other consideration, exclusions).", "citations": [ { "title": "M.G.L. c. 112 § 12X (Restrictive covenants upon physicians rendered unenforceable)", "url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter112/Section12X", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "M.G.L. c. 112 § 74D (nurses)", "url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter112/Section74D", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "M.G.L. c. 112 § 135C (social workers)", "url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter112/Section135C", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "M.G.L. c. 149 § 24L (Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act)", "url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXI/Chapter149/Section24L", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 6, 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "§ 12X sets no express exceptions and voids only the practice restriction; other contract terms survive. Physician assistants and dentists are not covered by § 12X." }, { "code": "MI", "name": "Michigan", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific rule. MCL 445.774a permits employee noncompetes that protect reasonable competitive business interests and are reasonable in duration, geographic area and type of work; courts may limit an unreasonable covenant and enforce it as limited.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Must protect the employer's reasonable competitive business interests", "Must be reasonable as to duration, geographical area, and type of employment or line of business", "A court may limit an unreasonable covenant to render it reasonable and enforce it as limited" ] }, "appliesTo": "All employees; applies to covenants entered after March 29, 1985. No physician- or clinician-specific provision.", "citations": [ { "title": "MCL 445.774a (Michigan Antitrust Reform Act § 4a)", "url": "https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-445-774a", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "2025 HB 4514 (physician noncompete bill, in committee)", "url": "https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4514", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "§ 445.774a unchanged since 1987. Physician noncompete bills HB 4514 (2025) and HB 6119 (2026) remain in committee." }, { "code": "MN", "name": "Minnesota", "category": "banned-general", "summary": "Covenants not to compete in agreements entered on or after July 1, 2023 are void and unenforceable for all employees and independent contractors, including physicians. Exceptions: sale of a business and anticipated dissolution. Nonsolicitation and nondisclosure agreements fall outside the ban.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Employer may not require a Minnesota-based employee to agree to out-of-state venue or non-Minnesota law for claims under the section; such provisions are voidable by the employee", "Court may award reasonable attorney fees to an employee enforcing rights under the section" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Covenant agreed upon during the sale of a business (reasonable area and time)", "Covenant agreed upon in anticipation of dissolution of a partnership, LLC or corporation", "Definition excludes nondisclosure/trade secret agreements", "Definition excludes nonsolicitation agreements and restrictions on using client/contact lists or soliciting customers" ], "appliesTo": "All employees, including independent contractors (and entities an individual is required to form to contract). No physician-specific provision; physicians and other clinicians are covered as employees/contractors.", "effective": "2023-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Minn. Stat. § 181.988", "url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/181.988", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Laws 2023, ch. 53, art. 6, sec. 1 (effective date clause)", "url": "https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2023/0/Session+Law/Chapter/53/", "type": "session-law" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Applies only to agreements entered on or after July 1, 2023; earlier agreements follow prior common law. No amendment since enactment." }, { "code": "MS", "name": "Mississippi", "category": "general", "summary": "No statute addresses physician non-competes. Courts generally enforce non-competes that are reasonable in duration and geographic scope, with the employer bearing the burden of proof.", "appliesTo": "All employees under general common-law reasonableness rules; no physician- or clinician-specific rule.", "citations": [ { "title": "Miss. Legislature bill status: HB 500 (2026 Reg. Sess.), health care provider non-compete ban - died in committee 2/3/2026", "url": "https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0500.xml", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Miss. Legislature bill status: HB 806 (2025 Reg. Sess.) - died in committee 2/4/2025", "url": "https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0806.xml", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "RecordingLaw.com, Mississippi Non-Compete Laws (case-law summary)", "url": "https://www.recordinglaw.com/us-laws/non-compete-laws/mississippi-non-compete-laws/", "type": "secondary" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 6 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "No statute; the common-law description (e.g., Kennedy v. Metropolitan Life, 2000) comes from secondary sources. Health care provider noncompete bills died in committee in 2025 (HB 806) and 2026 (HB 500)." }, { "code": "MO", "name": "Missouri", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific statute. Non-competes are governed by common law and are generally enforceable if reasonable in time and area and needed to protect trade secrets or customer (patient) contacts. RSMo 431.202 separately governs employee non-solicitation covenants.", "appliesTo": "All employees under common law; no physician- or clinician-specific statute. RSMo 431.202 covers employee non-solicitation/no-hire covenants, not non-competes.", "citations": [ { "title": "RSMo § 431.202 (employee non-solicitation covenants; L. 2001 S.B. 288)", "url": "https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=431.202", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Mo. House bill status: HB 2979 (2026), Missouri Rural Doctors Act - last action public hearing 3/12/2026", "url": "https://house.mo.gov/BillContent.aspx?bill=HB2979&year=2026&code=R", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Mo. House bill status: HB 2184 (2026), physician non-compete prohibition - last action referred 5/15/2026", "url": "https://house.mo.gov/BillContent.aspx?bill=HB2184&year=2026&code=R", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "HeplerBroom, 5 Keys to Crafting Non-Compete Agreements in Missouri (Dec 23 2025)", "url": "https://heplerbroom.com/blog/5-keys-to-crafting-non-compete-agreements-in-missouri-after-ftc-abandons-its-nationwide-ban/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Case law (e.g., Healthcare Services of the Ozarks v. Copeland, 2006) is summarized from secondary sources. RSMo 431.202 states that it does not affect the validity of noncompetes. 2026 physician bills (HB 2184, HB 2821, HB 2979) did not advance." }, { "code": "MT", "name": "Montana", "category": "banned", "summary": "For contracts made or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2026, physicians of all specialties cannot be restricted from practicing anywhere, for any period, after leaving, or from treating or soliciting the employer's current patients. Exceptions: practice sales and declining-balance repayment provisions.", "exceptions": [ "Contract in connection with the sale and purchase of a practice", "Provision requiring a physician to repay all or part of money paid or advanced, subject to a payback that decreases over time (e.g., bona fide loan, relocation cost, signing bonus, education expense, tuition repayment)" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians licensed under MCA Title 37, ch. 3 (all specialties since 2026-01-01; psychiatrists and addiction-medicine physicians covered since the 2023 enactment). Also psychologists, naturopathic physicians, social workers, professional and addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, behavioral health peer support specialists, RNs, APRNs, and PAs. Covers employment, partnership, or other professional-relationship contracts.", "effective": "2026-01-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Mont. Code Ann. § 28-2-724 (MCA 2025)", "url": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0280/chapter_0020/part_0070/section_0240/0280-0020-0070-0240.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "HB 620 (2025), Ch. 698, L. 2025 (enrolled bill)", "url": "https://archive.legmt.gov/content/Sessions/69th/Contractor_index/CH0698.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "HB 198 (2025), Ch. 131, L. 2025 (enrolled bill)", "url": "https://archive.legmt.gov/content/Sessions/69th/Contractor_index/CH0131.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Mont. Code Ann. § 28-2-703 (general restraint-of-trade statute)", "url": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0280/chapter_0020/part_0070/section_0030/0280-0020-0070-0030.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Wrigg v. Junkermier, Clark, Campanella, Stevens, P.C., 2011 MT 290", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/889623/wrigg-v-junkermier-clark-campanella-stevens-pc/", "type": "court" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "HB 620 (2025) applies to contracts made or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2026; earlier contracts are not covered unless renewed. HB 198 (2025) added RNs, APRNs, PAs and naturopathic physicians. Courts apply a reasonableness test to partial restraints under Montana's general statute (MCA 28-2-703)." }, { "code": "NE", "name": "Nebraska", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific statute. Under Nebraska Supreme Court decisions, a post-employment noncompete must be reasonable. It is generally limited to clients the employee actually did business with and had personal contact with, and courts have generally declined to rewrite overbroad covenants.", "appliesTo": "Employees generally under common law; there is no physician-specific rule. LB921 (2026) bans noncompetes only in healthcare staffing-agency contracts. It expressly excludes the practice of medicine and nurse practitioners and becomes operative July 1, 2027.", "citations": [ { "title": "Polly v. Ray D. Hilderman & Co., 225 Neb. 662, 407 N.W.2d 751 (1987)", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1235956/polly-v-ray-d-hilderman-co/", "type": "court" }, { "title": "LB921 (2026), slip law, Health Care Staffing Agency Registration Act", "url": "https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Slip/LB921.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct. 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Polly v. Ray D. Hilderman & Co. (1987) states the rule. LB921 (2026) bans noncompetes only in health care staffing-agency arrangements, excludes physicians and nurse practitioners, and becomes operative July 1, 2027. 2025-2026 bills were not checked against the official bill search." }, { "code": "NV", "name": "Nevada", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific statute. Under NRS 613.195, noncompetes are void unless supported by valuable consideration, no broader than needed, not unduly harsh, and proportionate. They cannot bind hourly-only employees or bar serving unsolicited former clients, and courts must revise overbroad covenants.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Void as to employees paid solely on an hourly wage basis (NRS 613.195(3))", "Cannot restrict serving a former customer or client who seeks out the employee without solicitation, if the employee otherwise complies with the covenant (NRS 613.195(2))", "After a reduction in force, reorganization or similar restructuring, enforceable only while the employer pays salary, benefits or equivalent compensation such as severance (NRS 613.195(5))", "Courts must revise unreasonable time, area or scope limits and enforce the covenant as revised (NRS 613.195(6))", "Employee is awarded attorney fees and costs if the covenant covers an hourly employee or restricts unsolicited former clients (NRS 613.195(7))" ] }, "appliesTo": "Employer-employee noncompetition covenants generally, including physicians. There is no physician- or healthcare-specific provision.", "citations": [ { "title": "Nev. Rev. Stat. § 613.195", "url": "https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-613.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Governor's veto message, SB 378 (2025), June 11, 2025", "url": "https://gov.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/gov2022nvgov/content/Newsroom/vetos/SB378%20Veto%20Message.pdf", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Hansen v. Edwards, 83 Nev. 189, 426 P.2d 792 (1967)", "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1288724/hansen-v-edwards/", "type": "court" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "NRS 613.195 last amended 2021. Two 2025 bills to bar noncompetes for patient-facing providers failed (SB 378 vetoed June 11, 2025; SB 495 not passed). No regular session in 2026." }, { "code": "NH", "name": "New Hampshire", "category": "banned", "summary": "Restrictions on a licensed physician's right to practice in any geographic area for any period after the relationship ends are void in contracts entered or renewed on or after August 5, 2016. Similar statutes cover nurses, APRNs (2025), and physician associates (2026).", "limits": { "incomeThreshold": "General rule for all workers: noncompetes void for low-wage employees earning an hourly rate at or below 200% of the federal minimum wage (RSA 275:70-a)", "otherConditions": [ "General rule: an employer requiring a noncompete of a new hire must provide a copy before the employee accepts the offer, or the noncompete is unenforceable (RSA 275:70)" ] }, "appliesTo": "Physicians licensed by the NH Board of Medicine (RSA 329:31-a). Parallel statutes: nurses (RSA 326-B:45-a, eff. June 25, 2018), advanced practice registered nurses (RSA 326-B:45-b, 2025 ch. 119, eff. Aug. 23, 2025), and physician associates (RSA 328-D:20, 2026 ch. 55, eff. July 7, 2026). Each applies to new contracts or renewals on or after its effective date.", "effective": "2016-08-05", "citations": [ { "title": "RSA 329:31-a (Certain contract restrictions upon physicians unenforceable)", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXX/329/329-31-a.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "RSA 326-B:45-a (nurses)", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXX/326-B/326-B-45-a.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "RSA 326-B:45-b (advanced practice registered nurses)", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXX/326-B/326-B-45-b.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "RSA 328-D:20 (physician associates)", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXX/328-D/328-D-20.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "SB 402 (2026), Chapter 55 — bill status", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/billinfo.aspx?id=1339", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "RSA 275:70 (noncompete disclosure)", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXIII/275/275-70.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "RSA 275:70-a (low-wage employees)", "url": "https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXIII/275/275-70-a.htm", "type": "statute" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Applies to contracts entered or renewed on or after Aug. 5, 2016. The statute has no express sale-of-practice or ownership exception. Parallel bans cover nurses (2018), APRNs (effective Aug. 23, 2025) and physician associates (effective July 7, 2026)." }, { "code": "NJ", "name": "New Jersey", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific noncompete statute. Courts assess physician restrictive covenants for reasonableness (protecting legitimate employer interests, avoiding undue hardship, and not harming the public interest, including patient access) and may narrow overbroad terms (Community Hospital Group v. More, 2005).", "appliesTo": "All employees under common law. No statute specific to physicians or other clinicians was identified.", "citations": [ { "title": "Community Hospital Group, Inc. v. More, 183 N.J. 36 (2005)", "url": "https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/supreme-court/2005/a-75-03-opn.html", "type": "court" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" }, { "title": "Becker's ASC, The state-by-state noncompete crackdown: 15 updates (Jul 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckersasc.com/asc-news/the-state-by-state-noncompete-crackdown-15-updates-for-physicians-and-ascs/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Community Hospital Group v. More (2005) reaffirmed that physician covenants are not per se unenforceable and narrowed the geographic area to protect the public. The absence of a 2025-2026 enactment could not be confirmed in the Legislature's bill database." }, { "code": "NM", "name": "New Mexico", "category": "banned", "summary": "Noncompete provisions restricting covered health care practitioners, including physicians, from providing clinical services are unenforceable once the agreement or employment ends. The law excludes agreements among practice owners, shareholders, partners or directors, and does not bar limited nonsolicitation, nondisclosure, repayment and reasonable liquidated-damages provisions.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Nonsolicitation of patients and employees remains enforceable only for one year or less after the last date of employment", "Liquidated damages must be reasonable when the agreement is executed; unreasonably large liquidated damages are void as a penalty", "A provision making the agreement subject to another state's law, or requiring litigation in another state, is void for clinical services rendered in New Mexico (agreements executed on/after April 6, 2017)" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Does not apply to agreements between health care practitioners who are shareholders, owners, partners or directors of a health care practice (NMSA 24-1I-5(A))", "Repayment of loans, relocation expenses, signing bonuses or recruiting/education/training expenses by a practitioner who worked for the employer for an initial period of less than three years", "Nondisclosure provisions on confidential information and trade secrets", "Nonsolicitation of patients and employees for one year or less", "Other lawful provisions, including reasonable liquidated damages" ], "appliesTo": "Dentists, physicians, osteopathic physicians, podiatrists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, psychologists, physician assistants and pharmacists. Applies to agreements, renewals or extensions executed on/after July 1, 2015 (for psychologists, PAs and pharmacists, on/after the 2023 act's effective date).", "effective": "2015-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "N.M. Laws 2015, ch. 96 (SB 325), Health Care Practitioner Agreement Act, final", "url": "https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/15%20Regular/final/SB0325.PDF", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "N.M. Laws 2017, ch. 123 (SB 82, substitute), final", "url": "https://nmlegis.gov/sessions/17%20Regular/final/SB0082.PDF", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "N.M. Laws 2023, ch. 97 (SB 106), final", "url": "https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/23%20Regular/final/SB0106.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "SB 106 (2023) bill status: signed Apr. 4, 2023, Ch. 97", "url": "https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=106&year=23", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Agreements among practice owners are excluded. The noncompete becomes unenforceable when the agreement or employment ends; the Act sets no mileage or month cap and has no sale-of-practice exception. Covered since July 1, 2015 for physicians; psychologists, PAs and pharmacists were added in 2023 (SB 106)." }, { "code": "NY", "name": "New York", "category": "general", "summary": "No statute specific to physician noncompetes. Courts generally enforce them only if reasonable in time and area, necessary to protect legitimate employer interests, and not unduly harsh.", "appliesTo": "No physician-specific or general noncompete statute; common-law reasonableness analysis applies to physicians and other workers.", "citations": [ { "title": "S3100A (2023) — passed both houses, vetoed Dec 22, 2023 (veto memo 133)", "url": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S3100", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "S4641A (2025-2026) — passed Senate June 9, 2025; in Assembly Labor Committee", "url": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4641", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "S9759 (2025-2026) — passed Senate June 3, 2026; referred to Assembly Labor", "url": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9759", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "NY Assembly bill record for S04641 (2025) with actions", "url": "https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=S04641&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 6, 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "The Governor vetoed a statewide ban (S3100A) on Dec. 22, 2023. S4641A passed the Senate in 2025 and S9759 passed the Senate on June 3, 2026 (40–21); neither got an Assembly vote, and neither has been enacted. The common-law test was not re-read from case text." }, { "code": "NC", "name": "North Carolina", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific statute. G.S. 75-4 requires non-competes to be in writing and signed. Courts generally enforce reasonable covenants, may strike but not rewrite overbroad terms, and have refused enforcement where it would substantially harm public health, such as specialist shortages.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Must be in writing and signed by the restricted party (G.S. 75-4; applies to all such agreements)" ] }, "appliesTo": "All persons under G.S. 75-4 and common law; no physician- or clinician-specific statute. Public-health review of physician covenants comes from case law.", "citations": [ { "title": "N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-4 (written, signed agreement required)", "url": "https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_75/GS_75-4.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "NCGA: Senate Bill 978 (2025-2026), Healthcare Competition Reforms - in Senate Appropriations/Base Budget", "url": "https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S978", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Parker Poe, NC Court of Appeals voids noncompete with specialized physician (Aesthetic Facial & Ocular Plastic Surgery Ctr. v. Zaldivar, 2019)", "url": "https://www.parkerpoe.com/news/2019/03/nc-court-of-appeals-voids-noncompete-with-specialized", "type": "secondary" }, { "title": "Parker Poe, NC Supreme Court reaffirms strict blue pencil (Beverage Systems, 2016)", "url": "https://www.parkerpoe.com/news/2016/03/north-carolina-supreme-court-reaffirms-strict-blue-pencil", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "G.S. 75-4 requires a signed writing. Courts have refused enforcement where it would harm public health (Statesville Medical Group v. Dickey, 1992; Aesthetic Facial & Ocular Plastic Surgery Center v. Zaldivar, 2019), per secondary sources. S 978 (2026), which would bar noncompetes in hospital employment contracts, has not passed the Senate." }, { "code": "ND", "name": "North Dakota", "category": "banned-general", "summary": "Contracts restraining anyone from exercising a lawful profession, trade or business are void, which covers physician employment noncompetes. Exceptions: sellers of business goodwill, and owners agreeing on dissolution, dissociation or sale of an ownership interest, within a reasonable area.", "exceptions": [ "Seller of a business's goodwill (and its partners, members or shareholders) may agree with the buyer not to carry on a similar business within a reasonable geographic area for a reasonable time, if the buyer carries on a like business there", "Partners, members or shareholders, upon or in anticipation of dissolution or dissociation, or in an agreement on dissociation or sale of an ownership interest, may agree not to carry on a similar business within a reasonable geographic area where the business was transacted" ], "appliesTo": "Everyone (all professions and trades); no physician-specific provision.", "citations": [ { "title": "N.D.C.C. § 9-08-06", "url": "https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t09c08.pdf", "type": "statute" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Official text post-dates the 2025 session, and there was no 2026 regular session. The ownership-transaction exception dates to 2019." }, { "code": "OH", "name": "Ohio", "category": "general", "summary": "No Ohio statute specifically governs physician non-competes. Under Raimonde v. Van Vlerah, courts generally enforce restrictions no greater than needed to protect the employer, not unduly harsh on the employee, and not injurious to the public, and may modify overbroad terms.", "appliesTo": "All employees under common law; no physician- or clinician-specific statute.", "citations": [ { "title": "MetroHealth Sys. v. Khandelwal, 2022-Ohio-77 (8th Dist.) (applying Raimonde v. Van Vlerah, 42 Ohio St.2d 21 (1975), to a physician)", "url": "https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/8/2022/2022-Ohio-77.pdf", "type": "court" }, { "title": "Ohio Legislature: S.B. 11 (136th GA) status - general non-compete ban, in Senate Judiciary", "url": "https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb11/status", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Ohio Legislature: S.B. 301 (136th GA) status - nonprofit hospital clinician non-compete limits, in Senate General Government", "url": "https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb301/status", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Health Policy Ohio, Ohio legislators propose limits on healthcare worker noncompete clauses (May 15 2026)", "url": "https://www.healthpolicyohio.org/health-policy-news/2026/05/15/ohio-legislators-propose-limits-on-healthcare-worker-noncompete-clauses", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "The Raimonde v. Van Vlerah (1975) test was applied to a physician in MetroHealth System v. Khandelwal (2022), which narrowed a burn surgeon's covenant. Pending, not law: SB 11 (general ban) and SB 301 (nonprofit hospital clinicians, 6 months / 15 miles)." }, { "code": "OK", "name": "Oklahoma", "category": "banned-general", "summary": "Oklahoma generally voids employee noncompetes for all workers, including physicians; former employees may compete but may be barred from directly soliciting the former employer's established customers. Restraints are otherwise void except in sale-of-goodwill and partnership-dissolution agreements. No physician-specific statute.", "exceptions": [ "Former employee may be restricted from directly soliciting the sale of goods or services to the former employer's established customers (15 O.S. § 219A)", "Sale of business goodwill: seller may agree not to carry on a similar business in a specified county and contiguous counties, or a specified city or town, while the buyer carries on a like business (15 O.S. § 218)", "Partnership dissolution: partners may agree not to carry on a similar business in a specified county and contiguous counties, or specified city or town (15 O.S. § 219)", "Covenants not to solicit employees or independent contractors are not treated as restraints of trade (15 O.S. § 219B)" ], "appliesTo": "All employees, including physicians and other clinicians (§ 219A). Non-employment restraints are governed by § 217 and its exceptions (§§ 218, 219).", "effective": "2001-06-04", "citations": [ { "title": "15 O.S. § 219A (Non-Compete Employment Contracts), OSCN", "url": "https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=274932", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "15 O.S. § 217 (Restraint of Trade Void), OSCN", "url": "https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=66052", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "15 O.S. § 218 (Exception as to Sale of Goodwill), OSCN", "url": "https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=66053", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "15 O.S. § 219 (Exception as to Partners), OSCN", "url": "https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=66054", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "15 O.S. § 219B (Non-Solicitation Contracts), OSCN", "url": "https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=469710", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Okla. SB 1543 (2024) bill status (vetoed 4/30/2024)", "url": "http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB1543&Session=2400", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "§ 219A has not been amended since 2001; SB 1543 (2024) was vetoed. 2025-2026 enacted bills were not scanned individually." }, { "code": "OR", "name": "Oregon", "category": "banned", "summary": "Since June 9, 2025, non-competes restricting the practice of medicine or nursing are generally void between physicians, PAs, NPs or naturopaths and any person, MSO or hospital, including pre-existing agreements. Narrow exceptions: owners of 1.5%+, documented recruitment investment (3-5 year cap), non-clinical roles.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Covenants that fit an exception remain subject to ORS 653.295: a 12-month maximum term, advance written notice, a protectable interest, and an earnings threshold ($119,541 for 2026 per BOLI) unless the employer pays the greater of 50% of salary or 50% of the threshold during the restriction", "Recruitment-investment exception: a professional medical entity must document costs equal to 20% or more of the licensee's annual salary (recruiting, sign-on/relocation bonus, training, support staff/technology, similar items); agreement term may not exceed 3 years after hire, or 5 years after hire if the licensee provides direct care in a federally designated health professional shortage area county.", "Nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements between a medical licensee and an MSO or employing hospital/hospital-affiliated clinic are generally void (ORS 653.297(3)); retaliation is barred (ORS 653.298)." ] }, "exceptions": [ "Licensee is a shareholder/member owning 1.5% or more of the ownership or membership interest of the other party (ORS 653.297(2)(b)(A))", "Agreement with a professional medical entity that documents its recruitment investment, within the 3-year (or 5-year shortage-area) term limit (ORS 653.297(2)(b)(B))", "Licensee does not engage directly in providing medical services, health care services or clinical care (ORS 653.297(2)(b)(C))" ], "appliesTo": "'Medical licensees': physicians (ORS 677.110), physician associates (ORS 677.512), nurse practitioners (ORS 678.375) and naturopathic physicians (ORS 685.100), for agreements restricting the practice of medicine or nursing with any person (ORS 442.015), management services organization, hospital or hospital-affiliated clinic. Other workers: ORS 653.295.", "effective": "2025-06-09", "citations": [ { "title": "ORS 653.295, 653.297, 653.298 (2025 edition)", "url": "https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors653.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Enrolled SB 951 (2025), Or. Laws 2025 ch. 295", "url": "https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB951/Enrolled", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Enrolled HB 3410 (2025), Or. Laws 2025 ch. 572 (amends SB 951 secs. 1, 7, 9)", "url": "https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB3410/Enrolled", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Oregon BOLI: Noncompetition agreements", "url": "https://www.oregon.gov/boli/employers/pages/noncompetition-agreements.aspx", "type": "agency" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "HB 3410 (2025) amended SB 951: it lowered the ownership exception from 10% to 1.5%, replaced the 'protectable interest' exception with a documented recruitment investment, and applied the rules to agreements entered before, on or after June 9, 2025. The 2026 and 2029 dates in SB 951 concern MSO ownership rules, not noncompetes." }, { "code": "PA", "name": "Pennsylvania", "category": "restricted", "summary": "Health care practitioner noncompetes entered into after the Act's January 1, 2025 effective date are void, except an employer may enforce one lasting one year or less if the practitioner was not dismissed. Expense-recovery and ownership/sale covenants are carved out; patient notice required.", "limits": { "maxMonths": 12, "otherConditions": [ "Unenforceable if the practitioner was dismissed by the employer", "Applies to noncompete covenants entered into after the January 1, 2025 effective date", "Within 90 days of departure, employer must notify the practitioner's patients seen in the past year (where the outpatient relationship is 2+ years) of the departure, how to transfer records, and the option of a new practitioner within the employer", "No statutory geographic limit" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Employer may recover reasonable expenses directly attributable to the practitioner, accrued within 3 years before separation (unless the practitioner was dismissed), related to relocation, training and establishing a patient base, amortized over up to 5 years", "Covenants of a practitioner with an interest in a business entity tied to sale of an ownership interest or substantially all assets, a change-of-control transaction (merger/consolidation), or the practitioner's receipt of an ownership interest; a preexisting covenant may still be voided if the practitioner is not a party to the sale" ], "appliesTo": "Health care practitioners employed at a health care facility or office in Pennsylvania: MDs, DOs, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified registered nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.", "effective": "2025-01-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act, Act of Jul. 17, 2024, P.L. 846, No. 74 (HB 1633)", "url": "https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF&SessYr=2024&ActNum=0074.&SessInd=0", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "2024 Act 74 law information (palegis.us)", "url": "https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information?sessYr=2024&sessInd=0&actNum=74", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Act 74 of 2024 (HB 1633). 'Noncompete covenant' is defined as an agreement that impedes the practitioner from treating patients or accepting new patients after employment; law-firm summaries read this to reach patient non-solicitation clauses. Pre-2025 covenants and practitioners not listed remain under common law." }, { "code": "RI", "name": "Rhode Island", "category": "banned", "summary": "Any contractual restriction on a physician's right to practice medicine is void, including post-employment geographic limits and limits on treating or soliciting the employer's current patients. Exception: purchase-and-sale of a physician practice, up to five years. APRNs have parallel protection.", "exceptions": [ "Restrictive covenant or noncompete made in connection with the purchase and sale of a physician practice, for no more than five years" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians licensed under R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 5-37 (partnership, employment, or other professional relationships). Advanced practice registered nurses have a parallel ban with the same practice-sale exception (§ 5-34-50, effective June 17, 2024). No physician assistant provision found. General Noncompetition Agreement Act (§ 28-59-3) bars noncompetes for FLSA-nonexempt employees, student interns, workers 18 or younger, and low-wage employees (at or below 250% of the federal poverty level).", "citations": [ { "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-33 (Restrictive covenants)", "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-37/5-37-33.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-50 (APRN restrictive covenants void)", "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-34/5-34-50.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3 (Noncompetition Agreement Act — enforceability)", "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-59/28-59-3.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "2016 H 7586 Substitute A (enacted as P.L. 2016, ch. 449/450)", "url": "https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText16/HouseText16/H7586A.htm", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 6, 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "§ 5-37-33 dates to 2016 (P.L. 2016, ch. 449/450). A 2026 general bill (S 2160, $125,000 earnings threshold) passed the Senate but has not been enacted; a broader 2024 ban was vetoed." }, { "code": "SC", "name": "South Carolina", "category": "general", "summary": "No statute governs physician non-competes. Courts generally enforce reasonable covenants, including physician covenants, but will not rewrite or narrow overbroad restrictions.", "appliesTo": "All employees under common law; no physician- or clinician-specific statute in force.", "citations": [ { "title": "S.C. General Assembly: H.4767 (126th Sess.), Physician Noncompete Contract Prohibition - residing in Senate", "url": "https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4767.htm", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Parker Poe, South Carolina Supreme Court holds that courts may not blue-pencil non-competes (Poynter Investments v. Century Builders, 2010)", "url": "https://www.parkerpoe.com/news/2010/05/south-carolina-supreme-court-holds-that-courts-may", "type": "secondary" }, { "title": "Parker Poe, South Carolina Court of Appeals upholds physician non-compete (Baugh v. Columbia Heart Clinic, 2013)", "url": "https://www.parkerpoe.com/news/2013/02/south-carolina-court-of-appeals-upholds-physician-non", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "medium", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Poynter Investments v. Century Builders (2010) bars courts from rewriting overbroad covenants; Baugh v. Columbia Heart Clinic (2013) upheld a cardiology covenant (both per secondary sources). H.4767, which would void physician noncompetes, passed the House in March 2026 but has not passed the Senate." }, { "code": "SD", "name": "South Dakota", "category": "banned", "summary": "Contract provisions entered on or after July 1, 2023 that restrict a listed practitioner, including physicians, from practicing after employment or a partnership ends are voidable. Exceptions: sale of a practice or interest, and patient non-solicitation within the general two-year, defined-area limits.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Permitted patient/client non-solicitation provisions must comply with the geographic and temporal limits of SDCL 53-9-11 (up to 2 years; specified county, first- or second-class municipality, or other specified area)", "'Soliciting' means a targeted affirmative act directed at a former employer's patient or client to convince them to transfer care or business" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Provision effective upon the sale of a practice or interest in a practice", "Restriction on soliciting current patients or clients of the former employer/partnership, if within SDCL 53-9-11 geographic and temporal limits", "Separately, SDCL 53-9-10.1 (2026 HB 1180, eff. 2026-07-01) lets business-entity owners agree, in governing documents or ownership-transfer contracts, not to compete for up to 3 years after transferring their interest" ], "appliesTo": "28 categories of licensed 'practitioners' in SDCL 53-9-11.1, including physicians, physician assistants, CNPs and CNMs, CRNAs, RNs, LPNs, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, pharmacists, psychologists, PTs, OTs, paramedics/EMTs and others. Since 2026-07-01 also community services providers serving people with developmental disabilities.", "effective": "2023-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "SDCL § 53-9-11.2", "url": "https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/53-9-11.2", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "SDCL § 53-9-11.1 (practitioner definition)", "url": "https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/53-9-11.1", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "2023 HB 1185, enrolled (SL 2023, ch 160)", "url": "https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/251268.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "2026 SB 153, enrolled (SL 2026, ch 196)", "url": "https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/305033.pdf", "type": "session-law" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "The statute uses 'voidable'. A 2021 law first barred physician and nurse noncompetes; the 2023 law replaced it and expanded coverage to 28 professions. 2026 laws added community services providers (SB 153) and an owner-transfer provision (HB 1180, SDCL 53-9-10.1) whose interaction with practitioner-owners is not addressed." }, { "code": "TN", "name": "Tennessee", "category": "restricted", "summary": "Statute deems healthcare-provider noncompetes reasonable if written, two years or less, and limited to the greater of 10 miles or the county (or to the employer's facilities). Emergency physicians excluded. A 2026 general law adds time presumptions and bans noncompetes for employees earning under $70,000.", "limits": { "incomeThreshold": "General law (Pub. Ch. 934, Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-211): employers may not require, request, or enforce a noncompete against an employee whose annualized compensation is under $70,000; applies to agreements entered, renewed, or amended on or after 2026-07-01", "otherConditions": [ "§ 63-1-148(a): restriction must be in an employment agreement or other writing signed by the provider and the employing/contracting entity", "Deemed reasonable (§ 63-1-148(a)): duration of two years or less, and an area no larger than the greater of a 10-mile radius from the primary practice site or that site's county; alternatively, no geographic limit but a bar on practicing at any facility where the employer provided services", "These terms define when a covenant is 'deemed reasonable'; a June 2026 federal district court ruling (Upperline Healthcare v. Hoover, M.D. Tenn.) held the statute sets no upper limit and upheld a 15-mile radius as reasonable", "Pub. Ch. 934 (§ 50-1-210): for employees/independent contractors, restraints of two years or less presumed reasonable in time and longer restraints presumed unreasonable; courts may modify covenants" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Sale of a provider's practice or substantially all of its assets: restriction allowed if reasonable in duration and area; agreed terms rebuttably presumed reasonable (§ 63-1-148(b))", "§ 63-1-148 does not apply to physicians who specialize in emergency medicine (§ 63-1-148(d))", "Pub. Ch. 934 does not prohibit confidentiality/nondisclosure, client or customer nonsolicitation, or employee nonsolicitation agreements (§ 50-1-210(c))" ], "appliesTo": "§ 63-1-148: health care providers licensed under Tenn. Code Ann. Title 63, chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11 (podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, physicians, optometrists, osteopathic physicians and psychologists); excludes emergency-medicine physicians. Pub. Ch. 934 applies to employees and independent contractors generally, including health care workers.", "effective": "2026-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-1-148 (2025 Code, via Justia)", "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-63/chapter-1/part-1/section-63-1-148/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "2026 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 934 (HB 1034 / SB 995), enacting Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 50-1-210, 50-1-211", "url": "https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0934.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Tennessee General Assembly bill page, HB 1034 (114th GA)", "url": "https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1034&GA=114", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Butler Snow, Court Ruling Raises Questions About Tennessee Healthcare Provider Noncompete Statute (June 29, 2026)", "url": "https://www.butlersnow.com/news-and-events/court-ruling-raises-questions-about-tennessee-healthcare-provider-noncompete-statute", "type": "secondary" }, { "title": "Phelps Dunbar, TN Noncompete Overhaul Takes Effect July 1 (June 29, 2026)", "url": "https://www.phelps.com/insights/tn-noncompete-overhaul-takes-effect-july-1-what-employers-need-to-know.html", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "§ 63-1-148 (last amended 2011) describes when a covenant is 'deemed reasonable'; a June 2026 federal district court ruling (Upperline Healthcare v. Hoover, M.D. Tenn., unpublished) held that it is not an upper limit. Pub. Ch. 934 (2026) does not amend § 63-1-148, and how its $70,000 floor interacts with the physician statute is unresolved. Emergency physicians fall outside § 63-1-148." }, { "code": "TX", "name": "Texas", "category": "restricted", "summary": "Physician noncompetes signed or renewed on/after Sept. 1, 2025 must include a buyout capped at annual salary and wages, last no more than one year, cover no more than five miles, and be clearly written; void if physician is involuntarily discharged without good cause.", "limits": { "maxMiles": 5, "maxMonths": 12, "buyoutRequired": true, "buyoutCap": "Not greater than the physician's total annual salary and wages at the time of termination", "otherConditions": [ "Radius measured from the location where the physician primarily practiced before termination", "Covenant must not deny access to a list of patients the physician saw or treated within one year of termination", "Covenant must provide access to patients' medical records on patient authorization, for a reasonable fee set by the Texas Medical Board", "Covenant must allow continuing care of a specific patient during an acute illness after termination", "Terms and conditions must be clearly and conspicuously stated in writing", "Void and unenforceable if the physician is involuntarily discharged without good cause (good cause = reasonable basis directly related to the physician's conduct, job performance, or contract/employment record)", "Must still be ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and reasonable in time, area and scope (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 15.50(a))" ] }, "exceptions": [ "§ 15.50(b) does not apply to a physician's business ownership interest in a licensed hospital or licensed ambulatory surgical center (§ 15.50(c))", "Managing or directing medical services in an administrative capacity is not the 'practice of medicine' for § 15.50(b) (§ 15.50(b-1))", "Covenants entered into or renewed before Sept. 1, 2025 remain governed by prior law (SB 1318 § 4)" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians licensed by the Texas Medical Board (§ 15.50(b)). New § 15.501 separately requires a salary-capped buyout, 1-year/5-mile limits and clear written terms for dentists, licensed professional or vocational nurses, and physician assistants.", "effective": "2025-09-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Tex. S.B. 1318 (89th Leg., R.S. 2025), enrolled text", "url": "https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB01318F.htm", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Tex. S.B. 1318 bill history (signed 6/20/2025; effective 9/1/2025)", "url": "https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1318", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "Tex. Bus. & Com. Code ch. 15 (official statutes site)", "url": "https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/BC/htm/BC.15.htm", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 15.50 (pre-2025 reproduction, used for § 15.50(c))", "url": "https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._bus._and_com._code_section_15.50", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Covenants entered or renewed before Sept. 1, 2025 follow prior law. § 15.501 applies the buyout, one-year and five-mile limits to dentists, nurses and PAs, but not the patient-list, records, continuing-care or discharge provisions. Codified text was read from the enrolled bill." }, { "code": "UT", "name": "Utah", "category": "banned", "summary": "Since May 6, 2026, no person may enter a non-compete with a licensed healthcare worker, including physicians; such agreements are void. Non-solicitation agreements cannot stop a worker from telling patients their current or future workplace. Exceptions: severance agreements and sale-of-business covenants.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "A nonsolicitation agreement entered on or after May 6, 2026 may not prevent a healthcare worker from informing a patient of the worker's current or future place of employment (Utah Code 34-51-203)", "An employer that seeks to enforce a healthcare non-compete through arbitration or a lawsuit, and loses because the agreement is unenforceable, is liable for the worker's arbitration costs, attorney fees, court costs, and actual damages (34-51-301)" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Reasonable severance agreement mutually and freely agreed upon in good faith at or after termination (still subject to common law)", "Non-compete related to or arising out of the sale of a business, if the individual receives value related to the sale", "Nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements are not non-compete agreements; nonsolicitation agreements are allowed subject to the patient-notice limit" ], "appliesTo": "'Healthcare workers': individuals licensed and practicing in 33 listed professions. These include physicians (MD and DO, per Utah Code 58-68-102), PAs, APRNs (including CRNAs and interns), RNs, LPNs, dentists, podiatric and naturopathic physicians, optometrists, psychologists, physical therapists, nurse midwives, behavioral health and counseling professions, and others. Excludes licensees whose job does not involve practicing under the license. Covers agreements with any 'person', including employers.", "effective": "2026-05-06", "citations": [ { "title": "Utah Code § 34-51-201 (eff. 5/6/2026)", "url": "https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title34/Chapter51/C34-51-S201_2026050620260506.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Utah Code § 34-51-202 (exceptions, eff. 5/6/2026)", "url": "https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title34/Chapter51/C34-51-S202_2026050620260506.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Utah Code § 34-51-203 (nonsolicitation, eff. 5/6/2026)", "url": "https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title34/Chapter51/C34-51-S203_2026050620260506.html", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "H.B. 270 (2026 General Session), Healthcare Worker Post-employment Amendments, enrolled (Laws of Utah 2026, ch. 341)", "url": "https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/HB0270.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Parsons Behle, New limits on non-compete covenants against healthcare providers in the Intermountain West (2026)", "url": "https://parsonsbehle.com/insights/new-limits-on-the-use-of-non-compete-covenants-against-healthcare-providers-in-the-intermountain-west", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Applies to agreements entered on or after May 6, 2026; earlier agreements remain under the general one-year cap (Utah Code 34-51-201) and common law. A 2025 law (SB 228) separately bars health care staffing platforms from requiring noncompetes." }, { "code": "VT", "name": "Vermont", "category": "banned", "summary": "Voids any provision restricting where or for how long a licensed health care provider, including a physician, may practice after leaving, in contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2026. Also voids limits on telling patients about a move.", "appliesTo": "Any person licensed, certified or authorized to provide professional health care in Vermont, including physicians.", "citations": [ { "title": "21 V.S.A. § 495q", "url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/21/005/00495q", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Act 177 of 2026 (S.313) as enacted, Sec. 8e", "url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/ACTS/ACT177/ACT177%20As%20Enacted.pdf", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "S.313 (2026) bill status", "url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.313", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "S.230 (2026) bill status: vetoed June 18, 2026", "url": "https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.230", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Act 177 (S.313) was signed June 18, 2026, the same day the governor vetoed S.230 over an unrelated union-access section; the non-compete text moved to S.313. An earlier version of this entry recorded only the S.230 veto and coded Vermont as having no physician-specific rule; corrected 2026-10-21 after reading the enacted text.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Applies to contracts and agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2026 (21 V.S.A. § 495q(f))", "Also void: limits on notifying patients of the provider's new practice, non-disparagement clauses, and out-of-state litigation requirements", "Retaliation against a provider for asserting these rights is prohibited" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Territorial limits tied to a third-party company's nonclinical business support services (21 V.S.A. § 495q(c))", "Contracts entered into before July 1, 2026" ], "effective": "2026-07-01" }, { "code": "VA", "name": "Virginia", "category": "banned", "summary": "For agreements entered into or renewed on/after July 1, 2026, employers may not enter into, enforce, or threaten to enforce noncompetes with health care professionals, including physicians. Sale-of-business covenants, recruitment-cost repayment, and limited customer non-solicitation provisions remain allowed.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Health care ban (2026 Acts chs. 1113 and 1114) does not affect agreements entered into or renewed before July 1, 2026", "Separately, for all employees (2026 Acts ch. 883, SB 170): a noncompete is unenforceable if the employer discharges the employee without cause and without severance or other monetary payment disclosed when the noncompete was signed; applies to agreements entered into, amended or renewed on/after July 1, 2026", "$10,000 civil penalty per violation; private civil action with fees, filed within 2 years", "Non-solicitation clauses may not stop a departing professional from telling patients of their continuing practice, new contact information, and right to choose a provider", "Existing low-wage employee ban (including FLSA non-exempt employees, 2025 c. 585) also applies" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Nondisclosure/trade-secret agreements", "Sale of business: covenants with a health care professional or their business entity when all or substantially all operating assets with goodwill, or the ownership interest, are sold, if reasonable in scope, duration and area", "Repayment (full or prorated) of recruitment-related costs (relocation, signing/retention bonuses, practice-establishment remuneration, recruiting/education/training) from a professional employed fewer than five years", "Customer non-solicitation limited to customers with whom the professional had material contact and to the same or substantially similar services" ], "appliesTo": "Any person licensed, registered, or certified by the Virginia Board of Medicine, Nursing, Counseling, Optometry, Psychology, or Social Work, including physicians (MD/DO), physician assistants, and nurses/nurse practitioners. Dentists and pharmacists (separate boards) are not named. The statute addresses employer-employee covenants.", "effective": "2026-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8", "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title40.1/chapter3/section40.1-28.7:8/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1113 (HB 627)", "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB627/text/CHAP1113", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "HB 627 (2026) bill page", "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB627", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "SB 128 (2026) bill page, 2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114", "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB128", "type": "bill" }, { "title": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 883 (SB 170)", "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB170/text/CHAP0883", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Health care ban: HB 627 (ch. 1113) and identical SB 128 (ch. 1114); it does not affect agreements entered into or renewed before July 1, 2026. Dentists and pharmacists are not covered. SB 170 (ch. 883) separately applies to all employees." }, { "code": "WA", "name": "Washington", "category": "general", "summary": "Until June 30, 2027, RCW 49.62 allows non-competes, including physicians', only if disclosed in writing at hiring and the worker's earnings exceed annual thresholds ($126,858.83 employees; $317,147.09 contractors in 2026); over 18 months presumed unreasonable. No physician-specific rule.", "limits": { "incomeThreshold": "Employee annualized W-2 earnings from the enforcing party must exceed $100,000 adjusted annually ($126,858.83 for 2026 per L&I); independent contractors must exceed $250,000 adjusted ($317,147.09 for 2026).", "otherConditions": [ "Terms must be disclosed in writing no later than acceptance of the offer; if signed after employment begins, independent consideration is required (RCW 49.62.020(1)(a)).", "If the employee is laid off, enforcement requires paying base salary for the enforcement period minus subsequent earnings (RCW 49.62.020(1)(c)).", "Duration over 18 months after termination is presumed unreasonable; rebuttable only by clear and convincing evidence (RCW 49.62.020(2)).", "Restrictions on accepting or transacting business with a customer count as non-competes (RCW 49.62.010(4)).", "Clauses requiring Washington-based workers to litigate outside Washington or applying another state's law are void (RCW 49.62.050)." ] }, "exceptions": [ "Nonsolicitation agreements (employees; current customers)", "Confidentiality agreements", "Covenants protecting trade secrets or inventions", "Sale or purchase of a business's goodwill, or acquisition/disposition of an ownership interest of 1% or more", "Franchisee covenants where the franchise sale complies with RCW 19.100.020(1)" ], "appliesTo": "All employees and independent contractors, including physicians and other clinicians; no profession-specific provisions.", "effective": "2020-01-01", "upcoming": { "date": "2027-06-30", "change": "ESHB 1155 (Laws of 2026, ch. 149): all noncompetition covenants become void regardless of when signed. Customer or patient nonsolicitation of up to 18 months, confidentiality, trade-secret and 1%+ ownership-sale covenants remain allowed. Employers must notify affected current and former workers by Oct. 1, 2027." }, "citations": [ { "title": "RCW 49.62 (versions effective until and from June 30, 2027)", "url": "https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.62&full=true", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "ESHB 1155, Laws of 2026, ch. 149 (session law)", "url": "https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/1155-S.SL.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "Washington L&I: Non-compete agreements (2026 thresholds)", "url": "https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/workplace-policies/non-compete-agreements", "type": "agency" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Current rules apply to proceedings commenced before June 30, 2027. ESHB 1155 (signed March 23, 2026) also repeals the earnings thresholds and limits nonsolicitation to 18 months and to customers or patients the worker directly developed." }, { "code": "WV", "name": "West Virginia", "category": "restricted", "summary": "Physician noncompetes are limited to one year and 30 road miles from the primary place of practice, and are void if the employer terminates the physician. Applies to contracts entered, modified, renewed or extended on/after July 1, 2017; owner and practice-sale contracts exempt.", "limits": { "maxMiles": 30, "maxMonths": 12, "otherConditions": [ "Miles are road miles from the physician's primary place of practice with the employer", "Void and unenforceable upon termination of the physician's employment by the employer", "Applies to contracts entered into, modified, renewed or extended on or after July 1, 2017; does not abrogate contracts in effect on or before June 30, 2017" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Unless the contract provides otherwise, limits do not apply where the physician sold their business or practice (assets, stock, membership interests or otherwise) to the employer", "Unless the contract provides otherwise, limits do not apply to contracts between physicians who are shareholders, owners, partners, members or directors of a health care practice", "Unless the contract states otherwise, the article does not limit provisions on returning property/patient lists/records, repayment of loans, relocation, signing bonuses, practice-establishment inducements or recruiting/education/training costs, nondisclosure, non-solicitation of patients and employees, or liquidated damages" ], "appliesTo": "Physicians: allopathic or osteopathic doctors fully licensed under W. Va. Code ch. 30, art. 3 or 14, in written contracts with an employer. Other clinicians are not covered.", "effective": "2017-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "W. Va. Code § 47-11E-1 et seq.", "url": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/47-11E/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "W. Va. Code § 47-11E-2 (limits)", "url": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/47-11E-2/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "W. Va. Code § 47-11E-3 (other provisions)", "url": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/47-11E-3/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "W. Va. Code § 47-11E-4 (exemptions)", "url": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/47-11E-4/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "W. Va. Code § 47-11E-5 (applicability)", "url": "https://code.wvlegislature.gov/47-11E-5/", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026)", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/physician-noncompete-crackdown-a-50-state-guide/", "type": "secondary" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Enacted 2017 (SB 402); no later amendment appears on the official code pages." }, { "code": "WI", "name": "Wisconsin", "category": "general", "summary": "No physician-specific rule. Wis. Stat. § 103.465 enforces employee noncompetes only if reasonably necessary to protect the employer; a covenant imposing any unreasonable restraint is void entirely, even as to parts that would be reasonable.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "Restriction must specify a territory and time and be reasonably necessary for the protection of the employer or principal", "A covenant imposing an unreasonable restraint is illegal, void and unenforceable even as to any reasonable part (no judicial rewriting of that covenant)" ] }, "appliesTo": "Covenants by an 'assistant, servant or agent' with an employer or principal; no physician- or clinician-specific provision.", "citations": [ { "title": "Wis. Stat. § 103.465", "url": "https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/103/465", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "2025 Assembly Bill 675 history (failed 2026-03-23)", "url": "https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/ab675", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "§ 103.465 unchanged since 2015 as published. 2025 bills on medical-practitioner noncompetes (AB 675 / SB 657) failed on March 23, 2026." }, { "code": "WY", "name": "Wyoming", "category": "banned-general", "summary": "Since July 1, 2025, Wyoming voids most noncompetes for all workers. A separate provision voids covenants in physician employment, partnership or corporate agreements restricting practice of medicine after termination; other contract terms remain enforceable. Applies to contracts entered on or after July 1, 2025.", "limits": { "otherConditions": [ "After termination, a physician may tell patients with a rare disorder (per NORD criteria) whom they were treating about their continuing practice and new contact information; neither the physician nor the new employer is liable for damages for that disclosure or later treatment", "Under the general rule, expense-recovery clauses (relocation, education, training) are capped at 100% if under 2 years of service, 66% for 2 to under 3 years, and 33% for 3 to under 4 years" ] }, "exceptions": [ "Covenant in a contract for the purchase and sale of a business or its assets", "Covenant to the extent it protects trade secrets (W.S. 6-3-501(a)(xi))", "Contract provisions recovering relocation, education and training expenses on the declining schedule above", "Executive and management personnel, officers, and employees who are professional staff to executive and management personnel" ], "appliesTo": "All workers (skilled or unskilled labor) under subsection (a). Subsection (b) addresses physicians practicing medicine as defined in W.S. 33-26-102(a)(xi), in employment, partnership or corporate agreements 'between physicians'. No other clinicians are named specifically.", "effective": "2025-07-01", "citations": [ { "title": "Wyo. Stat. § 1-23-108 (Title 1 compilation, May 2026)", "url": "https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title01.pdf", "type": "statute" }, { "title": "SF0107 (2025), Enrolled Act No. 87 (2025 Wyo. Sess. Laws ch. 170)", "url": "https://www.wyoleg.gov/2025/Enroll/SF0107.pdf", "type": "session-law" }, { "title": "LSO bill summary, SF0107 (2025)", "url": "https://www.wyoleg.gov/2025/Summaries/SF0107.pdf", "type": "bill" } ], "confidence": "high", "lastVerified": "2026-10-21", "notes": "Applies to contracts entered on or after July 1, 2025; earlier contracts remain under common law. The physician subsection speaks of agreements 'between physicians' and does not say whether it reaches hospital employers, but the general void rule also covers physicians unless an exception applies." } ] }