Oklahoma physician non-compete law: limits, statute, dates (checked Oct 2026)

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. (15 O.S. § 219A (Non-Compete Employment Contracts), OSCN)

Who it covers

All employees, including physicians and other clinicians (§ 219A). Non-employment restraints are governed by § 217 and its exceptions (§§ 218, 219).

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)

Effective date

The current rule took effect 2001-06-04.

Notes

§ 219A has not been amended since 2001; SB 1543 (2024) was vetoed. 2025-2026 enacted bills were not scanned individually.

Sources

15 O.S. § 219A (Non-Compete Employment Contracts), OSCN (statute)
15 O.S. § 217 (Restraint of Trade Void), OSCN (statute)
15 O.S. § 218 (Exception as to Sale of Goodwill), OSCN (statute)
15 O.S. § 219 (Exception as to Partners), OSCN (statute)
15 O.S. § 219B (Non-Solicitation Contracts), OSCN (statute)
Okla. SB 1543 (2024) bill status (vetoed 4/30/2024) (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 Oklahoma.