📋 Legal Guides · Updated May 2026

Non-Compete Laws by State

Plain English guides to non-compete enforceability in all 50 states. Find your state, understand your rights, and make informed decisions about your career.

6States that broadly ban non-competes
12States with salary thresholds or major restrictions
3States that broadly enforce non-competes
50States covered — updated for 2026
Key:
Banned / Near-total ban
Restricted — salary threshold or major limits
Broadly enforced
Limited — key employees only or specific restrictions
Reasonableness standard
Most Searched States
California
✅ Banned
Non-competes are broadly void under Business & Professions Code § 16600. 2024 laws strengthened protections and imposed penalties on employers.
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Texas
⚠️ Conditional
Enforced if supported by consideration and reasonable in scope. Courts apply the blue pencil rule — modifying rather than voiding overbroad agreements.
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Florida
🔴 Broadly Enforced
2025 CHOICE Act makes Florida the most employer-friendly state in the country. 4-year max for covered employees earning ~$120K+. Existing statute applies to others.
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New York
⚠️ Strict Scrutiny
Courts apply strict reasonableness test. Will NOT rewrite overbroad agreements — entire agreement may be void. Trending toward stronger employee protections.
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Illinois
⚠️ $75K Threshold
Non-competes void for employees earning $75,000 or less. 2026 amendment adds protections against out-of-state venue clauses and shortened limitations periods.
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Ohio
⚠️ Balancing Test
Courts apply totality of circumstances test weighing employer interests against employee hardship. Blue pencil rule applies — overbroad agreements are modified, not voided.
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Pennsylvania
⚠️ Conditional
Requires adequate consideration — mid-employment agreements without additional benefit are vulnerable. Healthcare practitioners banned from non-competes since Jan 1, 2025.
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Washington
✅ Ban Coming 2027
HB 1155 signed March 2026 — near-total ban effective June 30, 2027. Current law: $126,858 salary threshold, 18-month max, layoff protection.
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Colorado
⚠️ $130K Threshold
$130,014 salary threshold in 2026. Employers face $5,000 penalties per worker for violations. One of the strictest enforcement regimes for employers in the country.
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All 50 States — A to Z
Alabama
Reasonableness standard
Alaska
Reasonableness standard
Arizona
Reasonableness standard
Arkansas
Physicians banned
California
✅ Banned
Colorado
$130K threshold
Connecticut
Reasonableness standard
Delaware
Reasonableness standard
Florida
🔴 Broadly enforced
Georgia
Broadly enforced
Hawaii
Tech workers banned
Idaho
Key employees only
Illinois
$75K threshold
Indiana
Reasonableness standard
Iowa
Reasonableness standard
Kansas
2025 pro-employer law
Kentucky
Reasonableness standard
Louisiana
Strict statute
Maine
$63,840 threshold
Maryland
$46,800 threshold
Massachusetts
MNAA — garden leave
Michigan
Reasonableness standard
Minnesota
✅ Banned July 2023
Mississippi
Reasonableness standard
Missouri
Reasonableness standard
Montana
Nuanced standard
Nebraska
Reasonableness standard
Nevada
Hourly workers banned
New Hampshire
Salary threshold
New Jersey
Ban pending
New Mexico
Reasonableness standard
New York
Strict scrutiny
North Carolina
No blue pencil
North Dakota
✅ Banned
Ohio
Balancing test
Oklahoma
✅ Banned
Oregon
$119K threshold
Pennsylvania
Healthcare banned 2025
Rhode Island
$39,900 threshold
South Carolina
No blue pencil
South Dakota
Reasonableness standard
Tennessee
$70K threshold July 2026
Texas
Blue pencil applies
Utah
1 year max
Vermont
Income threshold
Virginia
Major 2025–2026 changes
Washington
✅ Ban effective 2027
West Virginia
Reasonableness standard
Wisconsin
Strict — void not reform
Wyoming
✅ Banned July 2025
Not Sure If Your Non-Compete Is Enforceable?
Reading about your state is a great start — but enforceability depends on your specific agreement. Use our free Non-Compete Checker to get a personalized verdict based on your state, role, industry, and the actual terms of your agreement.
Use the Free Non-Compete Checker →

What You Need to Know About Non-Compete Laws in 2026

Non-compete law in the United States has never been more complex — or more employee-friendly — than it is right now. The landscape shifted dramatically in 2023, 2024, and 2025 as states across the country enacted new restrictions, salary thresholds, and in some cases outright bans on non-compete agreements.

The Federal Trade Commission attempted a nationwide ban on non-competes in 2024, but that rule was struck down in federal court and the FTC abandoned its appeal in September 2025. Non-compete compliance is now entirely a matter of state law — and the differences between states are enormous.

California, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Wyoming broadly ban non-competes. Washington State's ban takes effect June 30, 2027. Colorado, Oregon, Maine, Virginia, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maryland, and others restrict non-competes to higher-earning employees through salary thresholds. And states like Florida and Kansas have moved in the opposite direction — strengthening enforcement in 2025.

The guide you choose from the list above will give you the specific, current rules for your state — including any 2025 and 2026 legislative changes — explained in plain English with no legal jargon.

Important: These guides provide general legal information only and do not constitute legal advice. Non-compete law changes frequently. Always verify current information with a licensed employment attorney before making career decisions. Read full disclaimer →