Non-compete laws · DC
District of Columbia physician non-compete law
As of October 21, 2026, District of Columbia law allows physician non-competes only within limits, including at most 24 months; a pay threshold also applies.
Allowed with physician-specific limitsChecked 2026-10-21
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. (D.C. Code § 32-581.01 (definitions))
Limits in the law
- Maximum duration
- 24 months
- Pay threshold: 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
- 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
Who it covers
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.
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
Effective date
The current rule took effect 2022-10-01.
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.
Sources
- D.C. Code § 32-581.01 (definitions) (statute)
- D.C. Code § 32-581.02 (prohibition for covered employees) (statute)
- D.C. Code § 32-581.03 (highly compensated employees) (statute)
- D.C. Code § 32-581.03a (disclosures) (statute)
- DOES public notice, District of Columbia Prohibition on Non-Compete Clauses (2026) (agency)
- Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 2026) (secondary)
Questions to ask about your contract
- Is the radius measured from your practice site or from every location the employer owns?
- Does the restriction apply if the employer terminates you without cause?
- Is there a buyout, and how is the amount calculated?
- What does your state's law say about physician non-competes?
Not legal advice. This page summarizes the law as written. Whether a particular agreement is enforceable depends on its wording, when it was signed and court decisions. Ask an attorney licensed in District of Columbia.