Washington NDA Template
Reviewed by the Agiled editorial teamUpdated June 2026
NDAs are enforceable in every state — what changes in Washington is the statute behind them, the carve-outs the law forces into them, and how courts treat NDA terms that drift toward non-compete territory. This page covers the Washington layer; the download is our standard mutual/unilateral NDA, ready to adapt.
Washington NDA rules at a glance
| Trade secret law | Uniform Trade Secrets Act (RCW §19.108) |
|---|---|
| Harassment / discrimination NDA limits | Silenced No More Act (2022) — the nation's broadest: voids NDA terms over illegal discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage violations in employment and settlement agreements alike. |
| Inevitable disclosure doctrine | Washington courts have applied the doctrine in trade-secret injunctions (Solutec line). |
| Non-compete-style NDA terms | RCW 49.62's thresholds apply to restraints; pure confidentiality terms are exempt from the non-compete statute. |
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 Washington handles non-disclosure agreements
Washington's Silenced No More Act goes further than California's — it reaches past and future conduct, current and former employees, and even contractors — making boilerplate confidentiality clauses from other states routinely partially void there. Two layers apply everywhere, including Washington: the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act gives a federal claim for trade-secret theft, and the federal Speak Out Act voids pre-dispute NDAs over sexual assault and harassment. The state layer above is what changes when you cross a border — verify it before relying on a clause.
Washington non-disclosure agreement FAQs
Are NDAs enforceable in Washington?
Yes — confidentiality agreements protecting trade secrets and legitimately confidential business information are enforceable in Washington, under uniform Trade Secrets Act (RCW §19.108). The limits arrive at the edges: terms so broad they operate as a non-compete, and clauses muzzling legally protected disclosures (harassment claims, whistleblowing, wage discussions).
Can an NDA cover sexual harassment claims in Washington?
Silenced No More Act (2022) — the nation's broadest: voids NDA terms over illegal discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage violations in employment and settlement agreements alike. Whatever the state layer says, the federal Speak Out Act independently voids pre-dispute confidentiality terms covering sexual assault and harassment disputes nationwide.
Can an NDA stop someone from working for a competitor in Washington?
RCW 49.62's thresholds apply to restraints; pure confidentiality terms are exempt from the non-compete statute. The drafting rule: define confidential information specifically, exclude general skills and knowledge, and use a separate, state-compliant non-compete if mobility restraints are actually needed.
How long should an NDA last in Washington?
For true trade secrets, protection can be indefinite — secrecy is the legal status, not the clause. For ordinary confidential business information, 2–5 years is the enforceable norm; Washington courts treat perpetual restrictions on non-secret information skeptically. Tier the clause: indefinite for trade secrets, fixed-term for everything else.
The full non-disclosure agreement guide
Clause-by-clause guidance, common mistakes, and the complete template text live on the main page: NDA Template — full guide and download.