State-by-State Comparison
Non-compete duration rules vary by US state
This page lists each state non-compete guide alongside the duration answer in its structured summary. Each state links to the full practice guide. Note that states without a strict statutory cap still review durations for common-law reasonableness.
Non-compete duration by state (56 jurisdictions)
| Jurisdiction | Statutory / Presumptive Limit | Last reviewed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 years presumed reasonable (employee) | Details for Alabama | |
| Alaska | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Alaska | |
| American Samoa | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for American Samoa | |
| Arizona | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Arizona | |
| Arkansas | 2 years presumptively reasonable | Details for Arkansas | |
| California | Not applicable — void | Details for California | |
| Colorado | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Colorado | |
| Connecticut | No general statutory cap; physicians/PAs/APRNs capped at 1 year | Details for Connecticut | |
| Delaware | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Delaware | |
| District of Columbia | 365 days (non-medical highly compensated employee); 730 days (medical specialist) | Details for District of Columbia | |
| Florida | No hard cap; over 2 years presumed unreasonable for employees | Details for Florida | |
| Georgia | 2 years for employees (rebuttable presumption) | Details for Georgia | |
| Guam | Not applicable (employee covenant void regardless of duration) | Details for Guam | |
| Hawaii | No statutory limit (reasonable period required) | Details for Hawaii | |
| Idaho | 18 months (rebuttable presumption) | Details for Idaho | |
| Illinois | No statutory maximum (duration judged for reasonableness) | Details for Illinois | |
| Indiana | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Indiana | |
| Iowa | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Iowa | |
| Kansas | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Kansas | |
| Kentucky | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Kentucky | |
| Louisiana | 2 years from termination (employee covenant) | Details for Louisiana | |
| Maine | No statutory maximum (reasonable duration) | Details for Maine | |
| Maryland | No fixed cap for ordinary employees; 1 year for covered health-care | Details for Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | 12 months (up to 2 years on breach of fiduciary duty/taking property) | Details for Massachusetts | |
| Michigan | No fixed numeric cap | Details for Michigan | |
| Minnesota | — | Details for Minnesota | |
| Mississippi | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Mississippi | |
| Missouri | No statutory limit (~2 yrs commonly within range) | Details for Missouri | |
| Montana | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Montana | |
| Nebraska | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Nebraska | |
| Nevada | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Nevada | |
| New Hampshire | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for New Hampshire | |
| New Jersey | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for New Jersey | |
| New Mexico | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for New Mexico | |
| New York | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for New York | |
| North Carolina | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for North Carolina | |
| North Dakota | No statutory limit for the ban | Details for North Dakota | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Northern Mariana Islands | |
| Ohio | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Ohio | |
| Oklahoma | No statutory limit on the ban; sale covenants limited to a county and contiguous counties | Details for Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | 12 months from termination (excess void) | Details for Oregon | |
| Pennsylvania | No statutory limit (except Act 74 one-year cap for health care) | Details for Pennsylvania | |
| Puerto Rico | 12 months (additional time excessive and unnecessary) | Details for Puerto Rico | |
| Rhode Island | No general statutory length limit; physician/APRN sale-of-practice exception capped at 5 years | Details for Rhode Island | |
| South Carolina | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for South Carolina | |
| South Dakota | Two years or less for employee covenants (SDCL 53-9-11) | Details for South Dakota | |
| Tennessee | Rebuttable presumptions: 2 yrs employee/contractor; 3 yrs distributor; 5 yrs+ seller; health-care safe harbor 2 yrs | Details for Tennessee | |
| Texas | No statutory limit (1 year for covered physicians/health-care) | Details for Texas | |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| Utah | 1 year (a longer covenant is void) | Details for Utah | |
| Vermont | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Vermont | |
| Virginia | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Virginia | |
| Washington | 18 months (longer presumed unreasonable) | Details for Washington | |
| West Virginia | No general statutory limit; physician covenants capped at 1 year | Details for West Virginia | |
| Wisconsin | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Wisconsin | |
| Wyoming | No statutory limit (reasonableness applies) | Details for Wyoming |