Washington State made history in March 2026 when Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB 1155 into law — a bill that will ban nearly all non-compete agreements in the state. Here is what you need to know about both the current law and the upcoming ban.
The Upcoming Ban — Effective June 30, 2027
HB 1155, signed March 2026, takes effect June 30, 2027. When it takes effect:
- Nearly all non-compete agreements for employees and independent contractors will become void and unenforceable
- By October 1, 2027, employers must notify affected current and former employees that their non-competes are void
- Washington will join California, Minnesota, and North Dakota as states with near-total bans on non-competes
📋 If your non-compete was signed before June 30, 2027: The ban applies retroactively to existing agreements — meaning even agreements already signed will become void when the law takes effect. Employers must proactively notify employees. Consult an employment attorney for the specifics of your situation.
Current Washington Law — Until June 30, 2027
Until the ban takes effect, Washington's existing non-compete statute applies. Key provisions:
- Salary threshold: Non-competes are only enforceable for employees earning more than $126,858 per year (2026 threshold, adjusted annually for inflation)
- Independent contractor threshold: $317,147 per year (2026)
- Maximum duration: 18 months — any longer is presumed unreasonable
- Notice required: The employer must disclose the non-compete before accepting an offer of employment, or provide independent consideration if presented after hire
- Layoff protection: Non-competes are void when an employer lays off or terminates an employee without cause unless the employer pays the employee their base salary during the restricted period
✅ If you earn less than $126,858 per year, your non-compete is already unenforceable under current Washington law — no need to wait for the 2027 ban. If you earn above that threshold, the 2027 ban will protect you regardless of salary.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If you are bound by a Washington non-compete and want to make a career move before June 2027, use our free Non-Compete Checker to assess your current situation under existing law. Given the upcoming ban, employers will likely have less incentive to enforce non-competes aggressively — but that does not mean all risk disappears before the effective date.