Employment & Worker Protection · California
California Non-Compete Ban
B&P Code 16600 - enacted in California.
- Enacted
- Status
- 1872
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 100/100
- California strictness
The bottom line
California Non-Compete Ban is an enacted law in California, part of a mature, broadly-adopted employment & worker protection landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 1872-01-01
- 51
- states have employment & worker protection laws
- 107/107
- employment & worker protection laws enacted nationally
- 100/100
- California strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official California legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: California Non-Compete Ban
California Non-Compete Ban (B&P Code 16600) is an enacted law in California under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 1872-01-01 and becomes effective on 1872-01-01. California currently reports 12 tracked regulations with 12 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 100/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 107 employment & worker protection statutes have been enacted and 0 additional bills remain pending - 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places California within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in B&P Code 16600 itself.
Applicability under California Non-Compete Ban: All workers in CA regardless of position/compensation. Penalty exposure is documented as: Void and unenforceable. Injunctive relief, damages, attorney fees. Notable exemptions: Sale of business (limited). Partnership dissolution..
Summary
Oldest and most absolute non-compete ban since 1872.
Key Requirements
All non-competes void. AB 1076 (2024) voided out-of-state non-competes for CA workers.
Penalties
Void and unenforceable. Injunctive relief, damages, attorney fees.
Applicability
All workers in CA regardless of position/compensation.
Exemptions
Sale of business (limited). Partnership dissolution.
Official Source
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=16600&lawCode=BPCHow California compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - California ranks #1 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California (this state) | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Illinois | 62 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 7 | New York | 62 |
| 8 | Oregon | 62 |
| 9 | Washington | 62 |
| 10 | Delaware | 59 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. California is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was California Non-Compete Ban enacted?
California Non-Compete Ban was enacted on 1872-01-01 and became effective on 1872-01-01. It was introduced as B&P Code 16600.
What are the penalties for violating California Non-Compete Ban?
Void and unenforceable. Injunctive relief, damages, attorney fees. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does California Non-Compete Ban apply to small businesses?
All workers in CA regardless of position/compensation. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does California compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
California has a regulatory strictness score of 100/100, based on 12 enacted regulations out of 12 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of California Non-Compete Ban?
The official text of California Non-Compete Ban (B&P Code 16600) is available from the California legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More California Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- California Non-Compete Ban is enacted in California, effective 1872-01-01. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; California ranks #1 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation California tracks across all five policy areas. California profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official California source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.