Are Non-Competes Enforceable in Arizona?
Last updated: 2026-10-07 · Verified against the statutes 2026-10-07
Enforceable if reasonable
Enforced if reasonable; broadcast employees protected
Arizona has no general non-compete statute; courts enforce covenants that protect a legitimate interest and are no broader than necessary. Arizona courts 'blue pencil' by striking grammatically severable unreasonable terms but will not rewrite a covenant. In Valley Medical Specialists v. Farber (1999) the Arizona Supreme Court refused to enforce a physician covenant because the public interest in patient choice outweighed the employer's interest. Broadcast employers may not require non-competes.
Check a non-compete
Answer a few questions; the result cites the statute behind each point. Rules verified 2026-10-07. Saved only in your browser.
Thresholds are measured differently by state (salary, cash compensation, W-2 box 1).
Enforceable if reasonable
Arizona enforces non-competes that protect a legitimate business interest and are reasonable in time, geography and scope.
- Arizona: Enforced if reasonable; broadcast employees protected. A.R.S. 23-494 (broadcast employees)
Other Arizona rules to check
- If a court finds it too broad: Courts may strike overbroad words (blue pencil) but won't rewrite.
General information, not legal advice. Enforceability also depends on the exact wording, the employer's legitimate interest and the facts; talk to an employment lawyer before relying on it.
Arizona non-compete rules
- Overbroad covenants
- Courts may strike overbroad words (blue pencil) but won't rewrite
Profession-specific rules
- VoidA television or radio station or network may not require a current or prospective employee to agree to a non-compete clause as a condition of employment. A.R.S. 23-494
- LimitedPhysician covenants are strictly construed; the Arizona Supreme Court refused to enforce a 3-year, 5-mile physician covenant because patient interests outweighed the practice's interests. Valley Medical Specialists v. Farber (Ariz. 1999)
Federal law
There is no federal ban on employee non-competes. The FTC's 2024 Non-Compete Clause Rule (16 CFR Part 910), which would have voided most non-competes from September 4, 2024, never took effect: a Texas federal court set it aside nationwide on August 20, 2024 (Ryan LLC v. FTC). On September 5, 2025 the Commission voted 3-1 to drop its appeals and accept that ruling, and on February 12, 2026 it formally removed Part 910 from the Code of Federal Regulations. State law therefore decides whether a non-compete is enforceable.
Frequently asked questions
Are non-competes enforceable in Arizona?
Enforced if reasonable; broadcast employees protected. Arizona has no general non-compete statute; courts enforce covenants that protect a legitimate interest and are no broader than necessary. Arizona courts 'blue pencil' by striking grammatically severable unreasonable terms but will not rewrite a covenant. In Valley Medical Specialists v. Farber (1999) the Arizona Supreme Court refused to enforce a physician covenant because the public interest in patient choice outweighed the employer's interest. Broadcast employers may not require non-competes.
Did the FTC ban non-competes in Arizona?
No. The FTC's 2024 rule never took effect — a federal court set it aside in August 2024, the FTC dropped its appeals in September 2025 and removed the rule from the Code of Federal Regulations in February 2026. State law controls, though the FTC still challenges some non-competes case by case.
Official Sources
Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-07Other states
Same category (Enforceable if reasonable): Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi
Protect information instead with a confidentiality agreement (NDA generator), or hiring in Arizona? Use the offer letter generator.
Not legal advice. Enforceability depends on the agreement's wording and the facts; consult an employment attorney licensed in Arizona.