Start with state law
Noncompete enforceability varies by jurisdiction and changes over time. OfferLens MD treats any physician noncompete, nonsolicit, patient restriction, or facility restriction as a state-specific attorney review item.
State-Specific Noncompete Review Guide
A physician-focused framework for identifying when a noncompete or related restriction needs state-specific legal review before signature.
Review Noncompete TermsCheck scope and geography
The review should ask whether the restriction is tied to actual practice sites, named facilities, a reasonable radius, the physician's specialty, and a defensible duration.
Look for trigger events
The agreement should say whether the restriction applies after resignation, termination without cause, nonrenewal, disability, employer breach, sale, relocation, or loss of privileges.
Request carve-outs
Physicians commonly ask about patient continuity, academic work, public health need, emergency coverage, remote work, and locations where the physician never practiced.
Separate related restrictions
A contract may include a noncompete, employee nonsolicit, patient nonsolicit, referral restriction, confidentiality covenant, liquidated damages clause, or repayment term. Each one should be reviewed separately.
Document the negotiation ask
The cleanest request is usually narrow, concrete language: primary site only, shorter duration, named facilities, no affiliate expansion, and waiver after employer-initiated departure.