Non-Compete Clauses in Veterinary Contracts: What's Actually Enforceable
That non-compete clause in your relief contract might not be as binding as you think. Here's what the law actually says, which states ban them, and how to negotiate better terms.
You're reviewing a contract from a new clinic, and there it is: a non-compete clause. "For a period of two years following the termination of this agreement, the Veterinarian shall not practice veterinary medicine within a 15-mile radius of the Practice."
Should you sign it? Can the clinic actually enforce it? And what happens if you do?
Non-compete law in veterinary medicine is shifting faster than ever. Here's what you need to know as a relief vet.
The Current Legal Landscape
The FTC Attempted Ban (and What Happened)
In April 2024, the Federal Trade Commission issued a near-total ban on non-compete agreements for workers nationwide. The veterinary community breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, in August 2024, a federal court in Texas vacated the rule, blocking it from taking effect. In September 2025, the FTC abandoned its appeal.
The result: There is no federal ban on non-competes. The rules are set state by state.
States That Ban Non-Competes
Four states currently prohibit most non-compete agreements outright:
California — the strongest prohibition; non-competes are void as a matter of public policy
Oklahoma — broad prohibition with limited exceptions
North Dakota — non-competes are generally unenforceable
Minnesota — banned as of July 2023
States With Veterinary-Specific Protections
Maryland — banned non-competes for veterinarians and veterinary technicians (effective October 2025)
Maine — requires employers to disclose non-compete terms before hiring and provide additional compensation
States Where They're Common and Enforceable
Most other states allow non-competes but apply a reasonableness test. Courts evaluate:
Is the geographic scope reasonable?
Is the time period reasonable?
Is the restricted activity reasonable?
Does the restriction serve a legitimate business interest?
Does the restriction harm the public interest?
What "Reasonable" Looks Like
Based on court decisions across veterinary contract disputes:
Factor
Typically Enforceable
Likely Overreaching
Duration
6 months – 2 years
3+ years
Radius (urban)
5-10 miles
20+ miles
Radius (rural)
10-25 miles
50+ miles
Activity scope
"Practice of veterinary medicine" at competing clinics
Anything that prevents you from earning a living
Courts are generally more skeptical of non-competes applied to independent contractors (like relief vets) than to employed associates. The logic: an IC is running their own business and typically has less access to the clinic's trade secrets and client relationships than a permanent employee.
Non-Compete vs. Non-Solicitation
These are different things, and the distinction matters:
Non-compete: Prevents you from working at any competing practice within the restricted area and time frame. Broad and blunt.
Non-solicitation: Prevents you from actively reaching out to the clinic's clients or employees to bring them to another practice. Does not prevent clients from finding you on their own.
Key insight for relief vets: Non-solicitation clauses are much more enforceable than non-competes because they're narrower. If a clinic insists on some form of restriction, a non-solicitation clause is a reasonable compromise. It protects the clinic's client relationships without preventing you from earning a living.
How Non-Competes Affect Relief Vets Specifically
Relief vets face a unique problem with non-competes: you work at many clinics. If every clinic you relieve at restricts you from working within 10 miles for 2 years, you can quickly create a patchwork of overlapping restricted zones that makes it impossible to work in your area.
Consider this scenario:
You do relief at 8 clinics across a metro area
Each has a 10-mile, 2-year non-compete
After a year, you decide to stop working at 3 of them
Those 3 non-competes now block you from roughly 40% of the clinics in your market — for two years
This is why many relief vets should push hard to exclude non-compete clauses from their contracts entirely, or at minimum negotiate carve-outs for relief work.
How to Negotiate Better Terms
Strategy 1: Remove It Entirely
Simply ask. Many clinics include non-competes by default because their attorney drafted a template. For relief vets — especially those who work there occasionally — the clinic may not feel strongly about it.
Script: "I work as a relief vet at multiple clinics across the region. A non-compete would significantly limit my ability to practice. Can we remove this clause since I'm an independent contractor providing temporary coverage?"
Strategy 2: Narrow the Scope
If removal isn't possible, negotiate to reduce the impact:
Reduce the radius: From 15 miles to 5 miles
Reduce the duration: From 2 years to 6 months
Narrow the activity: From "practice of veterinary medicine" to "establish a permanent practice" (this protects the clinic's concern while preserving your relief work)
Add a relief work carve-out: "This restriction does not apply to temporary relief or locum veterinary work at other practices"
Strategy 3: Switch to Non-Solicitation
"I understand the clinic wants to protect its client relationships. Would you be comfortable replacing the non-compete with a non-solicitation clause? I won't actively solicit your clients, but I need the freedom to practice at other locations."
Strategy 4: Request Compensation
In some states (Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon), non-competes must be supported by additional consideration — the clinic must give you something in return for restricting your future employment. Even where not legally required, it's a reasonable negotiation position: "If this restriction is important to the clinic, I'd need compensation for the limitation on my practice — a rate increase or a guaranteed number of shifts."
Red Flags in Contract Language
Watch for these problematic clauses:
"Shall not practice veterinary medicine in any capacity" — overly broad; should be limited to competing practices, not all veterinary work
Radius measured from "any location where services were provided" — if the clinic has multiple locations, this could cover an enormous area
Automatic renewal of the non-compete — the restriction should have a clear end date
Liquidated damages clauses — some contracts specify a dollar amount you'd owe for violating the non-compete (e.g., $50,000). These may or may not be enforceable, but they create risk.
No geographic limitation — a non-compete with no specified radius is often unenforceable, but it's still a headache to fight in court
What to Do If You're Already Bound by One
If you've signed a non-compete and are concerned about its impact:
Read it carefully. Many non-competes are poorly drafted and have loopholes.
Check your state's law. If you're in CA, OK, ND, MN, or MD (for vets), it may be void regardless of what you signed.
Consult a veterinary contract attorney. A one-hour consultation ($200-$500) can tell you whether the clause is likely enforceable in your state and situation.
Consider whether the clinic would actually enforce it. Litigation is expensive. Many clinics include non-competes as deterrents but don't pursue enforcement against relief vets.
Don't ignore it. Even if you think it's unenforceable, violating a signed contract creates risk. Get legal advice before acting.
The Bottom Line
Non-compete clauses are a significant issue for relief vets, and the legal landscape is evolving. The best approach:
Read every contract before signing
Push to remove or narrow non-compete clauses
Prefer non-solicitation over non-compete
Know your state's laws
Get a veterinary contract attorney to review any agreement you're unsure about
Your ability to practice at multiple clinics is the foundation of your relief career. Protect it.
Kal Saad