Connecticut non-compete law

Pay figure in the law

None found in the statutes we read

Separate rules for professions

physicians, physician assistants, security guards, broadcast employees

Statutes and official texts quoted

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(1); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(2)(A); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(2)(B); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(4); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-12k(b)(2)(A); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-50a(a); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-50b(b)(1); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-50b(c)

Notice and signing

Each physician non-compete entered or renewed on and after July 1, 2016 must be separately and individually signed by the physician.

“Each covenant not to compete entered into, amended or renewed on and after July 1, 2016, shall be separately and individually signed by the physician.”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(4)

Health care and other professions

A physician non-compete is valid only if necessary to protect a legitimate business interest, reasonably limited in time, geography, and practice scope, and consistent with law and public policy; the enforcing party bears the burden of proof.

“A covenant not to compete is valid and enforceable only if it is: (A) Necessary to protect a legitimate business interest; (B) reasonably limited in time, geographic scope and practice restrictions as necessary to protect such business interest; and (C) otherwise consistent with the law and public policy. The party seeking to enforce a covenant not to compete shall have the burden of proof in any proceeding.”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(1)

Physician non-competes entered or renewed on or after July 1, 2016 may not exceed one year or fifteen miles from the primary practice site.

“Restrict the physician's competitive activities (i) for a period of more than one year, and (ii) in a geographic region of more than fifteen miles from the primary site where such physician practices;”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(2)(A)

A physician non-compete is not enforceable if the employer terminates the relationship other than for cause, or the non-partnership contract expires without a bona fide renewal offer.

“the employment or contractual relationship is terminated by the employer, unless such employment or contractual relationship is terminated for cause.”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(2)(B)

Physician assistant non-competes entered or renewed on or after October 1, 2023 may not exceed one year or fifteen miles from the primary practice site.

“Restrict the physician assistant's competitive activities (i) for a period of more than one year, and (ii) in a geographic region of more than fifteen miles from the primary site where such physician assistant practices;”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-12k(b)(2)(A)

Employers may not require security guards (SOC 339032) to agree not to work the same or similar job at the same location for another employer unless the employer proves the person obtained trade secrets.

“No employer may require any person employed in the classification 339032 of the standard occupational classification system of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor to enter into an agreement prohibiting such person from engaging in the same or a similar job, at the same location at which the employer employs such person, for another employer or as a self-employed person, unless the employer proves that such person has obtained trade secrets,”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-50a(a)

A broadcast industry employment contract may not require a broadcast employee to refrain from employment in a specified area for a specified period after termination.

“No broadcast industry employer employment contract for the services of a broadcast employee may contain a provision requiring that such broadcast employee: (1) Refrain from obtaining employment in a specified geographical area for a specified period of time after termination of employment with that broadcast industry employer;”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-50b(b)(1)

An aggrieved broadcast employee may sue for damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees.

“Any person who is aggrieved by a violation of this section may bring a civil action in the Superior Court to recover damages, together with court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.”
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-50b(c)

Federal rules

On September 5, 2025, the FTC moved to dismiss its appeals in Ryan, LLC v. FTC and Properties of the Villages v. FTC and to accede to vacatur of the Non-Compete Clause Rule. FTC press release, Sept. 5, 2025

The FTC's final rule removes the Non-Compete Rule (16 CFR part 910) from the Code of Federal Regulations. 91 Fed. Reg. (Feb. 12, 2026), FR Doc. 2026-02866

Before you sign, or before you assume you are bound

1. Find every restrictive clause: non-compete, non-solicitation, no-hire and confidentiality are separate promises with separate rules.
2. Note how long each lasts and what area or customers it covers.
3. Check which state’s law the agreement picks and where disputes must be heard.
4. Compare your pay and your job with the Connecticut rules above.

Check your state with the non-compete checker.

Common questions

Are non-competes enforceable in Connecticut?

A physician non-compete is valid only if necessary to protect a legitimate business interest, reasonably limited in time, geography, and practice scope, and consistent with law and public policy; the enforcing party bears the burden of proof. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(1)).

Does Connecticut have special non-compete rules for health care workers or other professions?

A physician non-compete is valid only if necessary to protect a legitimate business interest, reasonably limited in time, geography, and practice scope, and consistent with law and public policy; the enforcing party bears the burden of proof. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-14p(b)(1)).