Rhode Island Non-Compete Agreement Template
Reviewed by the Agiled editorial teamUpdated June 2026
Non-compete law is the most state-divergent area in employment contracting — four states ban these agreements outright, a dozen more impose salary floors or notice rules, and the rest apply judge-made reasonableness tests that differ in temperament. This page covers what Rhode Island requires; the download is our standard non-compete template, to be scoped to Rhode Island's rules below.
Rhode Island non-compete rules at a glance
| Enforceability | Enforceable only against exempt, higher-earning adults (R.I. Gen. Laws §28-59-1 et seq., 2020). |
|---|---|
| Protected workers / thresholds | Void for non-exempt employees, students, minors, and workers ≤250% of federal poverty line |
| Required formalities | No statutory notice or salary threshold; consideration and reasonableness rules come from case law. |
| Overbroad agreements | Void for protected categories; reasonableness review otherwise |
State laws change frequently and this summary is not legal advice. Verify current rules against the state statute or with a licensed attorney before relying on them.
How Rhode Island handles non-compete agreements
Rhode Island's ban keys off FLSA exempt status, not just salary — any overtime-eligible employee is categorically protected, a broader shield than most threshold states provide. The practical drafting rule for Rhode Island: enforceable only against exempt, higher-earning adults (R.I. Gen. Laws §28-59-1 et seq., 2020).. Before using this template, confirm the current statute — non-compete law has changed in more than a dozen states since 2020, and the FTC's federal ban attempt keeps the area moving.
Rhode Island non-compete agreement FAQs
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Rhode Island?
Enforceable only against exempt, higher-earning adults (R.I. Gen. Laws §28-59-1 et seq., 2020). Coverage limits matter here: void for non-exempt employees, students, minors, and workers ≤250% of federal poverty line.
What happens to an overbroad non-compete in Rhode Island?
Void for protected categories; reasonableness review otherwise Draft to the narrowest restriction that protects the actual business interest — the safety net (or lack of one) above is what you're betting on.
What formalities does a Rhode Island non-compete require?
No statutory notice or salary threshold; consideration and reasonableness rules come from case law. Procedural failures are now the most common way non-competes die — more common than substantive overbreadth in states with notice rules.
Does the FTC non-compete ban apply in Rhode Island?
The FTC's 2024 rule banning most non-competes was set aside by a federal court before taking effect and remains in litigation, so it is not currently in force in Rhode Island or any state. State law controls — which is why the state-specific rules above are the ones to draft around.
The full non-compete agreement guide
Clause-by-clause guidance, common mistakes, and the complete template text live on the main page: Non-Compete Agreement Template — full guide and download.