Non-compete laws · MI
Michigan physician non-compete law
As of October 21, 2026, Michigan has no statute specific to physician non-competes; general non-compete law and court decisions apply.
No physician-specific statuteChecked 2026-10-21
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. (MCL 445.774a (Michigan Antitrust Reform Act § 4a))
Limits in the law
- 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
Who it covers
All employees; applies to covenants entered after March 29, 1985. No physician- or clinician-specific provision.
Notes
§ 445.774a unchanged since 1987. Physician noncompete bills HB 4514 (2025) and HB 6119 (2026) remain in committee.
Bills that have not become law
Non-compete bills from the 2025 and 2026 sessions that had not become law as of 2026-10-21, furthest along first. A bill that died has to be filed again to move in 2027. The 2027 session starts 2027-01-13 and ends no fixed date (sine die usually late December 2027).
- HB 6119 (2025–2026) · Physicians
Would prohibit certain noncompete agreements for physicians (amends MCL 445.774a)
Introduced · Still pending. Introduced by Rep. Joseph Aragona, referred to House Government Operations 2026-06-18; House Fiscal Agency summary 2026-06-24; no committee action
- HB 4514 (2025–2026) · Physicians
Would prohibit certain noncompete agreements for physicians (amends MCL 445.774a)
Introduced · Still pending. Introduced by Rep. Jason Woolford (bipartisan cosponsors), referred to House Health Policy 2025-05-21; no later action
- HB 4040 (2025–2026) · All workers, some physicians
Would bar employers from requiring noncompetes unless certain conditions are met
Introduced · Still pending. Introduced by Rep. Denise Mentzer, referred to House Economic Competitiveness 2025-01-30; no later action
Sources
- MCL 445.774a (Michigan Antitrust Reform Act § 4a) (statute)
- 2025 HB 4514 (physician noncompete bill, in committee) (bill)
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 Michigan.