Non-Compete Agreement Laws by State
Non-compete agreements vary wildly from state to state. Some states enforce them strictly. Others have banned them entirely. Here is where yours stands.
Browse non-compete laws by state
Select a state below to see the full details on non-compete enforceability, restrictions, recent legislative changes, and your rights as an employee.
What is a non-compete agreement?
A non-compete agreement is a contract clause that restricts an employee from working for a competitor or starting a competing business for a set period after leaving a job. Employers use them to protect trade secrets, client relationships, and other business interests.
Whether your non-compete is enforceable depends almost entirely on which state you are in. Some states ban them outright. Others enforce them with strict limits on duration, geographic scope, and the types of employees they can cover. A few states still give employers broad latitude.
Which states ban non-competes?
Several states have banned or severely restricted non-compete agreements in recent years. California has prohibited them for decades. Other states including Minnesota, Oklahoma, and North Dakota also ban or refuse to enforce most non-competes. Many more states have placed income thresholds, duration limits, or industry-specific restrictions on enforcement.
The trend is clearly toward more restrictions. Multiple states passed new non-compete limitations between 2023 and 2025, and the topic continues to receive legislative attention at both the state and federal level.
What should you do if you signed a non-compete?
First, check your state's rules using the tool above. Even if you signed a non-compete, it may not be enforceable where you live. If your state limits duration, scope, or covered industries, your agreement may be partially or fully unenforceable. Many employees are surprised to learn that the non-compete they signed has no legal teeth in their state.
If you are concerned about a non-compete affecting your career options, consider consulting an employment attorney who practices in your state. The cost of a consultation is usually modest compared to the career risk of guessing wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your state. Some states limit enforceability when the employee was terminated without cause or laid off. Others enforce the agreement regardless of the reason for separation. Check your state's specific rules, and review the language of your agreement carefully.
The blue pencil doctrine allows a court to modify an overly broad non-compete to make it reasonable, rather than throwing it out entirely. For example, a court might reduce a 5-year restriction to 1 year. Not all states follow this doctrine; some will void the entire agreement if any part is unreasonable.
No. A non-compete restricts you from working for competitors. A non-solicitation agreement restricts you from contacting your former employer's clients or recruiting its employees. Non-solicitation agreements are generally easier to enforce and are treated differently under many state laws.
The FTC proposed a nationwide ban on non-competes, but as of the last review date, the rule has faced legal challenges and has not taken full effect. Non-compete enforceability remains governed primarily by state law. Check your state's current rules for the most accurate information.