Nebraska physician non-compete law
Nebraska enforces physician non-competes within defined limits.
Nebraska treats a reasonable physician non-compete as binding, so assume yours will apply and negotiate the scope down before you sign. Restrictions that tend to stand here run about 10–25 miles and 12–24 months; terms beyond that are the most vulnerable. Narrow the radius to the specific sites where you practiced, shorten the term, and ask for a defined buyout as a release valve.
- Posture
- Enforceable but narrow; territorial bans void
- Last reviewed
- 2026-06-10
- Radius that tends to stand
- 10–25 miles
- Term that tends to stand
- 12–24 months
These are the general rules for Nebraska. Your contract's exact radius, term, and buyout decide how it actually lands. See how your own clause compares — free.
Check your contract — free →A case that shaped this
Terry D. Whitten, DDS, PC v. Malcolm (1995, Neb. Supreme Court) — A dentist's 1-year/25-mile territorial non-compete was unenforceable because it barred practicing generally rather than just soliciting patients the provider personally treated and had contact with.
The detailed picture
No physician-specific statute; governed by common law, which is notably restrained-party-favorable. Nebraska courts will NOT enforce broad territorial physician/provider non-competes (held void as against public policy) and do NOT blue-pencil/reform overbroad covenants (a "red-pencil" state) — only a narrow non-solicitation limited to patients/customers the provider personally treated or had contact with is enforceable. The only recent healthcare statute, LB921 (Health Care Staffing Agency Registration Act, signed Apr. 14, 2026; eff. July 1, 2027), bans noncompetes and conversion/placement fees for health care STAFFING AGENCIES only and does not reach hospital/group physician employment.
Common questions
Are physician non-competes enforceable in Nebraska?
Nebraska enforces physician non-competes within defined limits.
How far and how long can a Nebraska physician non-compete reach?
Restrictions that tend to stand here run about 10–25 miles and 12–24 months; terms beyond that are the most vulnerable. The radius and term in your specific contract decide how it lands — check your own clause.
Other states
General legal information, not legal advice. Non-compete enforceability turns on the exact wording of your contract and your circumstances; this page describes the state's general posture as last reviewed 2026-06-10.