Physician non-compete law changes · Andwisehttps://www.joinandwise.com/contracts/noncompete/changes2026-10-21T00:00:00ZAndwisetag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/log/2026-10-21Dataset update, 2026-10-212026-10-21T00:00:00ZPublished the dataset: 51 jurisdictions checked against statutes, enacted bills or controlling court decisions (40 high confidence, 11 medium).tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/log/2026-10-21Dataset update, 2026-10-212026-10-21T00:00:00ZCorrected Vermont: Act 177 of 2026 (21 V.S.A. § 495q) voids practice restrictions for licensed health care providers, including physicians, in contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2026. The first version of this dataset recorded only the vetoed S.230 and missed the enacted S.313.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/ME/2026-07-29Maine: physician non-compete rule effective 2026-07-292026-07-29T00:00:00ZSince 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/TN/2026-07-01Tennessee: physician non-compete rule effective 2026-07-012026-07-01T00:00:00ZStatute 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/VT/2026-07-01Vermont: physician non-compete rule effective 2026-07-012026-07-01T00:00:00ZVoids 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/VA/2026-07-01Virginia: physician non-compete rule effective 2026-07-012026-07-01T00:00:00ZFor 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/IA/2026-06-02Iowa: physician non-compete rule effective 2026-06-022026-06-02T00:00:00ZNo 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/UT/2026-05-06Utah: physician non-compete rule effective 2026-05-062026-05-06T00:00:00ZSince 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/MT/2026-01-01Montana: physician non-compete rule effective 2026-01-012026-01-01T00:00:00ZFor 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/TX/2025-09-01Texas: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-09-012025-09-01T00:00:00ZPhysician 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/CO/2025-08-06Colorado: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-08-062025-08-06T00:00:00ZFor 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/AR/2025-08-05Arkansas: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-08-052025-08-05T00:00:00ZSince 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/IN/2025-07-01Indiana: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-07-012025-07-01T00:00:00ZIndiana 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/MD/2025-07-01Maryland: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-07-012025-07-01T00:00:00ZFor 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/WY/2025-07-01Wyoming: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-07-012025-07-01T00:00:00ZSince 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/OR/2025-06-09Oregon: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-06-092025-06-09T00:00:00ZSince 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/LA/2025-01-01Louisiana: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-01-012025-01-01T00:00:00ZPhysician 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.tag:joinandwise.com,2026:noncompete/PA/2025-01-01Pennsylvania: physician non-compete rule effective 2025-01-012025-01-01T00:00:00ZHealth 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.