Your Business Name
Company
Your Company LLC
123 Business Street
City, State 00000
legal@yourcompany.com
City, State 00000
legal@yourcompany.com
Employee / Contractor
Individual Full Name
456 Person Street
City, State 00000
person@email.com
City, State 00000
person@email.com
1. Non-Compete Restriction
During the term of employment/engagement and for a period of 1 year following termination ("Restricted Period"), Employee/Contractor agrees not to:
• Directly or indirectly compete with Company in [describe the business activities]
• Work for or provide services to any competitor of Company within the Geographic Area
• Solicit any of Company's customers or clients with whom Employee had contact during the last 12 months of employment
• Directly or indirectly compete with Company in [describe the business activities]
• Work for or provide services to any competitor of Company within the Geographic Area
• Solicit any of Company's customers or clients with whom Employee had contact during the last 12 months of employment
2. Geographic Area
The non-compete restriction applies within: [City, State] / [Specific radius, e.g., 50-mile radius of Company's principal place of business] / [Entire United States — use only if justifiable]
This restriction is limited to areas where Company actively conducts business.
This restriction is limited to areas where Company actively conducts business.
3. Non-Solicitation
For 2 years following termination, Employee/Contractor agrees not to:
• Solicit or hire any Company employee or contractor
• Encourage any Company employee to leave their employment with Company
• Solicit or hire any Company employee or contractor
• Encourage any Company employee to leave their employment with Company
4. Consideration
In consideration for this Agreement, Company provides: [employment / continued employment / signing bonus of $_____ / access to confidential information / other consideration].
This Agreement is a condition of [employment / the consulting engagement / the services agreement].
This Agreement is a condition of [employment / the consulting engagement / the services agreement].
5. Confidentiality
Employee/Contractor agrees to keep confidential all trade secrets, customer lists, pricing, business strategies, and other proprietary information of Company, both during and after the engagement. This obligation survives termination indefinitely with respect to trade secrets.
6. Enforcement & Remedies
Employee/Contractor acknowledges that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm for which monetary damages would be insufficient. Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief in addition to any other available remedies.
7. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [Your State]. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect (severability).
Company Signature
Print Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Title: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Employee / Contractor Signature
Print Name: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Date: _____________________
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Non-compete law varies significantly by state. Consult a qualified employment attorney.
Non-Compete Agreement FAQ
Are non-compete agreements enforceable?
Enforceability varies significantly by state. California, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma largely prohibit non-competes. Most other states allow them if they are reasonable in scope, duration, and geographic area. Always consult an employment attorney for your specific jurisdiction.
How long can a non-compete agreement last?
Courts generally enforce non-competes of 6 months to 2 years. Longer periods (3+ years) are often considered unreasonable. The shorter the duration and narrower the scope, the more likely it will be upheld.
What should a non-compete agreement include?
A non-compete should include: restricted activities, geographic scope, duration, consideration (what the person receives in exchange for signing), non-solicitation provisions, confidentiality obligations, and consequences for breach.
Is this non-compete agreement template free?
Yes, completely free — no account, no watermark, no time limit. Edit and download as many non-compete agreements as you need.
Do I need a lawyer to create a non-compete?
Strongly recommended. Non-compete law varies dramatically by state, and an overly broad agreement may be completely unenforceable. An employment attorney can draft a tailored agreement that protects your legitimate business interests.