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

Any contractual restriction on a physician's right to practice medicine is void, including post-employment geographic limits and limits on treating or soliciting the employer's current patients. Exception: purchase-and-sale of a physician practice, up to five years. APRNs have parallel protection. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-33 (Restrictive covenants))

Who it covers

Physicians licensed under R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 5-37 (partnership, employment, or other professional relationships). Advanced practice registered nurses have a parallel ban with the same practice-sale exception (§ 5-34-50, effective June 17, 2024). No physician assistant provision found. General Noncompetition Agreement Act (§ 28-59-3) bars noncompetes for FLSA-nonexempt employees, student interns, workers 18 or younger, and low-wage employees (at or below 250% of the federal poverty level).

Exceptions

Restrictive covenant or noncompete made in connection with the purchase and sale of a physician practice, for no more than five years

Notes

§ 5-37-33 dates to 2016 (P.L. 2016, ch. 449/450). A 2026 general bill (S 2160, $125,000 earnings threshold) passed the Senate but has not been enacted; a broader 2024 ban was vetoed.

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 2027-01-05 and ends no fixed date (usually late June).

S 0302 Sub A (2025) · All workers
Rhode Island Noncompetition Agreement Act: ban on noncompetes except sale of business (LaMountain)
Passed one chamber · Died. Sub A passed Senate 2025-06-18 (37-0); no House passage; died when 2025 session ended
S 2868 (2026) · Some health care workers, not physicians
Physician assistant bill voiding PA practice restrictions after a relationship ends (sale-of-practice exception up to 5 years)
Introduced · Died. Introduced 2026-03-04, referred to Senate Health & Human Services

Sources

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-33 (Restrictive covenants) (statute)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-34-50 (APRN restrictive covenants void) (statute)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-59-3 (Noncompetition Agreement Act — enforceability) (statute)
2016 H 7586 Substitute A (enacted as P.L. 2016, ch. 449/450) (session-law)
Becker's Hospital Review, Physician noncompete crackdown: A 50-state guide (Oct 6, 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 Rhode Island.