Maine non-compete law

Pay figure in the law

An employer may not require or permit a noncompete agreement with an employee earning wages at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.

Separate rules for professions

veterinarians

Statutes and official texts quoted

26 M.R.S. § 599-A(2); 26 M.R.S. § 599-A(3)(A); 26 M.R.S. § 599-A(1)(A); 26 M.R.S. § 599-A(3)(B); 26 M.R.S. § 599-A(4); 26 M.R.S. § 599-A(5); 26 M.R.S. § 599-A(6); 26 M.R.S. § 599-B(2)

Is a non-compete allowed?

Maine treats noncompete agreements as contrary to public policy, enforceable only if reasonable and no broader than necessary to protect trade secrets, confidential information, or goodwill.

“Noncompete agreements are contrary to public policy and are enforceable only to the extent that they are reasonable and are no broader than necessary to protect one or more of the following legitimate business interests of the employer:”
26 M.R.S. § 599-A(2)

Pay thresholds

An employer may not require or permit a noncompete agreement with an employee earning wages at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.

“Notwithstanding subsection 2 , an employer may not require or permit an employee to enter into a noncompete agreement with the employer if: A. The employee is earning wages at or below 400% of the federal poverty level; or”
26 M.R.S. § 599-A(3)(A)

'Federal poverty level' means the nonfarm official poverty line for an individual, as defined by OMB and revised annually.

“"Federal poverty level" means the nonfarm income official poverty line for an individual, as defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Section 673(2).”
26 M.R.S. § 599-A(1)(A)

Notice and signing

The employer must disclose before an offer that a noncompete will be required, and give a copy at least 3 business days before requiring signature.

“An employer shall notify an employee or prospective employee of a noncompete agreement requirement and provide a copy of the noncompete agreement not less than 3 business days before the employer requires the agreement to be signed”
26 M.R.S. § 599-A(4)

Health care and other professions

An employer may not require or permit a noncompete agreement with a licensed veterinarian employed in a veterinary facility in which the veterinarian has no ownership interest.

“The employee is a veterinarian licensed under Title 32, chapter 71‑A and is employed in a veterinary facility in which the employee does not have an ownership interest.”
26 M.R.S. § 599-A(3)(B)

Non-solicitation and no-hire rules

Employers may not enter into or enforce agreements between employers restricting the solicitation or hiring of each other's employees.

“An employer may not: A. Enter into a restrictive employment agreement; or”
26 M.R.S. § 599-B(2)

If it is challenged

An employer violating the low-wage or notice provisions commits a civil violation with a fine of not less than $5,000; the Department of Labor enforces.

“An employer that violates subsection 3 or 4 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $5,000 may be adjudged. The Department of Labor is responsible for enforcement of this section.”
26 M.R.S. § 599-A(6)

When the rules took effect

Except for physicians, noncompete terms do not take effect until after one year of employment or 6 months from signing, whichever is later.

“the terms of a noncompete agreement do not take effect until after one year of the employee's employment with the employer or a period of 6 months from the date the agreement was signed, whichever is later.”
26 M.R.S. § 599-A(5)

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 Maine rules above.

Check your state with the non-compete checker.

Common questions

Are non-competes enforceable in Maine?

Maine treats noncompete agreements as contrary to public policy, enforceable only if reasonable and no broader than necessary to protect trade secrets, confidential information, or goodwill. (26 M.R.S. § 599-A(2)).

Is there a salary threshold for non-competes in Maine?

An employer may not require or permit a noncompete agreement with an employee earning wages at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. (26 M.R.S. § 599-A(3)(A)).

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

An employer may not require or permit a noncompete agreement with a licensed veterinarian employed in a veterinary facility in which the veterinarian has no ownership interest. (26 M.R.S. § 599-A(3)(B)).