Non-Compete Agreements in Florida
How Florida law treats non-compete agreements, with the statute or official source.
Short answer: Enforceable by statute if in writing, signed, and reasonably necessary to protect a legitimate business interest. Fla. Stat. § 542.335; Fla. Stat. § 542.43 (CHOICE Act)
| Non-compete agreements | Enforceable by statute if in writing, signed, and reasonably necessary to protect a legitimate business interest. For a former employee (not tied to a business sale), a restriction of 6 months or less is presumed reasonable and more than 2 years is presumed unreasonable. Under the 2025 CHOICE Act, employers may use non-competes of up to 4 years with higher-paid employees (earning more than twice the annual mean wage of the relevant Florida county), subject to the Act's requirements; health care practitioners are excluded from that Act. CHOICE Act definitions: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0542/Sections/0542.43.html |
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Where to get help in Florida
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FAQ
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Florida?
Enforceable by statute if in writing, signed, and reasonably necessary to protect a legitimate business interest. For a former employee (not tied to a business sale), a restriction of 6 months or less is presumed reasonable and more than 2 years is presumed unreasonable. Under the 2025 CHOICE Act, employers may use non-competes of up to 4 years with higher-paid employees (earning more than twice the annual mean wage of the relevant Florida county), subject to the Act's requirements; health care practitioners are excluded from that Act.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.