4%
Will Ohio pass SB 301 or another physician non-compete limit before its legislature ends on December 31, 2026?
Forecast 2026-10-21 · resolves by 2027-01-31
Non-compete laws · OH
Ohio physician non-compete law
As of October 21, 2026, Ohio has no statute specific to physician non-competes; general non-compete law and court decisions apply.
No physician-specific statuteChecked 2026-10-21 · medium confidence
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. (MetroHealth Sys. v. Khandelwal, 2022-Ohio-77 (8th Dist.) (applying Raimonde v. Van Vlerah, 42 Ohio St.2d 21 (1975), to a physician))
Who it covers
All employees under common law; no physician- or clinician-specific statute.
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).
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 2027-01-04 and ends no fixed date (137th GA runs to 2028-12-31).
- SB 301 (2025–2026) · Health care workers, some physicians
Would bar nonprofit hospitals from post-employment noncompetes for physicians, PAs, APRNs beyond 6 months / 15 miles
Committee action · Still pending. Senate General Government: hearings 2025-11-04, 2025-11-18, 2026-04-14, 2026-06-09 (4th hearing); no committee vote
- SB 11 (2025–2026) · All workers
Would prohibit agreements restraining a lawful profession or business after employment ends
Committee action · Still pending. Referred to Senate Judiciary 2025-01-29; hearings 2025-02-12, 2025-02-26, 2025-03-05 (3rd hearing); no committee vote
Sources
- MetroHealth Sys. v. Khandelwal, 2022-Ohio-77 (8th Dist.) (applying Raimonde v. Van Vlerah, 42 Ohio St.2d 21 (1975), to a physician) (court)
- Ohio Legislature: S.B. 11 (136th GA) status - general non-compete ban, in Senate Judiciary (bill)
- Ohio Legislature: S.B. 301 (136th GA) status - nonprofit hospital clinician non-compete limits, in Senate General Government (bill)
- Health Policy Ohio, Ohio legislators propose limits on healthcare worker noncompete clauses (May 15 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?
Outlook for Ohio
Dated forecasts, scored when they resolve. All forecasts and the track record →
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 Ohio.