Employment & Worker Protection · North Dakota
North Dakota Non-Compete Ban
N.D.C.C. 9-08-06 - enacted in North Dakota.
- Enacted
- Status
- 1890
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 34/100
- North Dakota strictness
The bottom line
North Dakota Non-Compete Ban is an enacted law in North Dakota, part of a mature, broadly-adopted employment & worker protection landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 1890-01-01
- 51
- states have employment & worker protection laws
- 107/107
- employment & worker protection laws enacted nationally
- 34/100
- North Dakota strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official North Dakota legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: North Dakota Non-Compete Ban
North Dakota Non-Compete Ban (N.D.C.C. 9-08-06) is an enacted law in North Dakota under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 1890-01-01 and becomes effective on 1890-01-01. North Dakota currently reports 2 tracked regulations with 2 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 34/100 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 North Dakota within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in N.D.C.C. 9-08-06 itself.
Applicability under North Dakota Non-Compete Ban: All workers in ND. Penalty exposure is documented as: Void and unenforceable. Notable exemptions: Sale of goodwill. Partnership dissolution..
Summary
Among earliest state non-compete bans.
Key Requirements
Every contract restraining lawful profession is void.
Penalties
Void and unenforceable.
Applicability
All workers in ND.
Exemptions
Sale of goodwill. Partnership dissolution.
Official Source
https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t09c08.pdfHow North Dakota compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - North Dakota ranks #24 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 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. North Dakota 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 North Dakota Non-Compete Ban enacted?
North Dakota Non-Compete Ban was enacted on 1890-01-01 and became effective on 1890-01-01. It was introduced as N.D.C.C. 9-08-06.
What are the penalties for violating North Dakota Non-Compete Ban?
Void and unenforceable. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does North Dakota Non-Compete Ban apply to small businesses?
All workers in ND. 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 North Dakota compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
North Dakota has a regulatory strictness score of 34/100, based on 2 enacted regulations out of 2 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 North Dakota Non-Compete Ban?
The official text of North Dakota Non-Compete Ban (N.D.C.C. 9-08-06) is available from the North Dakota 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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Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.
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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 North Dakota Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- North Dakota Non-Compete Ban is enacted in North Dakota, effective 1890-01-01. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; North Dakota ranks #24 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation North Dakota tracks across all five policy areas. North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.