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  "data": {
    "topic": "non-compete",
    "state": "virginia",
    "frontmatter": {
      "title": "Non-Competes in Virginia",
      "description": "Virginia non-compete law combines Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8, a common-law reasonableness test, no blue-pencil rule, low-wage, FLSA-non-exempt, and health-care-professional bans, a without-cause severance rule, and trade-secret alternatives.",
      "state": "Virginia",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-07-03",
      "license": "CC BY 4.0",
      "authors": [
        "steven-obiajulu"
      ],
      "summary": {
        "enforceability": "payThreshold",
        "bottomLine": "Virginia bans non-competes outright for statutory low-wage employees, FLSA non-exempt employees, and health care professionals, while other workers remain subject to a strict common-law reasonableness test with no judicial blue-penciling.",
        "keyLaw": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8; common law (Omniplex World Servs. Corp. v. U.S. Investigations Servs., 270 Va. 246 (2005))",
        "exceptions": "Low-wage/FLSA-non-exempt ban (commission/incentive-earner exclusion); health-care-professional ban; severance-or-disclosed-comp rule for without-cause discharge; NDAs/trade-secret preserved",
        "banEffectiveDate": "Low-wage ban July 1, 2020; FLSA-non-exempt expansion July 1, 2025; health-care ban and severance rule July 1, 2026",
        "courtNarrowing": "no",
        "appliesToContractors": "yes",
        "extendedForBreach": "Not resolved — strict construction makes an extension clause an overbreadth risk",
        "maxLength": "No statutory limit",
        "noticeRequirement": "None",
        "incomeThreshold": "Under $1,507.01/week (2026); FLSA non-exempt",
        "saleOfBusiness": "Reasonable sale covenant allowed for health-care",
        "customerNonSolicit": "Direct-solicitation bar allowed; passive customer-initiated work protected (§ 40.1-28.7:8)",
        "employeeNonSolicit": "Unenforceable against protected low-wage workers (Sentry Force)",
        "employerPayToEnforce": "severanceIfNoCause"
      },
      "about": [
        "Virginia non-compete agreements",
        "Va. Code 40.1-28.7:8",
        "Virginia low-wage employee non-compete ban",
        "Virginia non-compete reasonableness test",
        "Virginia blue pencil non-compete",
        "Virginia healthcare non-compete ban",
        "Virginia non-solicitation agreements",
        "Virginia trade secrets"
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "language": "中文",
          "status": "planned"
        },
        {
          "language": "Español",
          "status": "planned"
        },
        {
          "language": "Português",
          "status": "planned"
        },
        {
          "language": "Deutsch",
          "status": "planned"
        }
      ],
      "relatedForm": {
        "slug": "openagreements-restrictive-covenant-virginia"
      }
    },
    "questions": [
      {
        "slug": "employee-non-compete-enforceability",
        "label": "Are employee non-competes enforceable in Virginia?",
        "heading": "Are employee non-compete agreements enforceable in Virginia?",
        "answerText": "Sometimes. Virginia remains a reasonableness state for workers outside the statutory ban, but Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 flatly prohibits employers from entering into, enforcing, or threatening to enforce non-competes with covered low-wage employees and, since July 1, 2026, with health care professionals.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "statutory-ban-baseline",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(B).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports the statutory ban on entering into, enforcing, or threatening to enforce a non-compete with any low-wage employee or health care professional.",
            "verbatimQuote": "No employer shall enter into, enforce, or threaten to enforce a covenant not to compete with any low-wage employee or health care professional.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statutory-ban-baseline"
          },
          {
            "id": "omniplex-basic-test",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Omniplex World Services Corp. v. U.S. Investigations Services, Inc.",
            "citation": "Omniplex World Servs. Corp. v. U.S. Investigations Servs., Inc., 270 Va. 246, 618 S.E.2d 340 (2005).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1058921/omniplex-world-services-v-us-inv/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1058921/omniplex-world-services-v-us-inv/#:~:text=These%20considerations%20form%20the%20basis,of%20a%20sound%20public%20policy%3F",
            "proposition": "Omniplex supports Virginia's common-law reasonableness test for employee non-competes outside the statutory ban.",
            "verbatimQuote": "These considerations form the basis of the three-part test we use to determine the validity of restrictive covenants: (1) Is the restraint, from the standpoint of the employer, reasonable in the sense that it is no greater than necessary to protect the employer in some legitimate business interest? (2) From the standpoint of the employee, is the restraint reasonable in the sense that it is not unduly harsh and oppressive in curtailing his legitimate efforts to earn a livelihood? (3) Is the restraint reasonable from the standpoint of a sound public policy?",
            "date": "2005-09-16",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-omniplex-basic-test"
          },
          {
            "id": "doli-current-threshold",
            "authorityType": "agency-guidance",
            "tier": "official-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia DOLI Notice of the Average Weekly Wage for 2026",
            "citation": "Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, Notice of the Average Weekly Wage for 2026 (Jan. 6, 2026).",
            "url": "https://doli.virginia.gov/2026/01/06/notice-of-the-average-weekly-wage-for-2026/",
            "proposition": "Virginia DOLI supports the 2026 low-wage threshold and the FLSA-non-exempt expansion effective July 1, 2025.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Effective July 1, 2025, a “low-wage employee” also includes an employee who, regardless of average weekly earnings, is entitled to overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any one workweek.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-doli-current-threshold"
          },
          {
            "id": "sb170-severance-rule",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia Acts of Assembly Ch. 883 (SB 170), Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8(C)",
            "citation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 883 (S.B. 170) (codified at Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(C), eff. July 1, 2026).",
            "enactedCitation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 883 (S.B. 170).",
            "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB170",
            "proposition": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 883 (SB 170) makes a non-compete unenforceable when the employer discharges the employee without cause without providing severance or other monetary payment, and requires that any such payment be disclosed upon execution.",
            "verbatimQuote": "No covenant not to compete between an employer and an employee is enforceable if such employer discharges such employee from employment without providing severance benefits or other monetary payment to such employee, unless such employer discharges such employee for cause. Such severance benefits or other monetary payment shall be disclosed upon execution of the covenant not to compete.",
            "date": "2026-07-01",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sb170-severance-rule"
          },
          {
            "id": "sb170-prospective",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia Acts of Assembly Ch. 883 (SB 170), enactment clause 2",
            "citation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 883 (S.B. 170), cl. 2.",
            "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB170",
            "proposition": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 883 (SB 170) applies only prospectively, leaving agreements entered into, amended, or renewed before July 1, 2026 unaffected.",
            "verbatimQuote": "That nothing in this act shall invalidate, alter, or otherwise affect any contract, covenant, or agreement entered into, amended, or renewed prior to July 1, 2026.",
            "date": "2026-07-01",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sb170-prospective"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "reasonableness-test",
        "label": "What makes a Virginia non-compete reasonable?",
        "heading": "What makes a Virginia non-compete reasonable or enforceable?",
        "answerText": "A Virginia employee non-compete must satisfy a three-part reasonableness test and must be evaluated through function, geography, and duration together.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "omniplex-three-part-test",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Omniplex World Services Corp. v. U.S. Investigations Services, Inc.",
            "citation": "Omniplex World Servs. Corp. v. U.S. Investigations Servs., Inc., 270 Va. 246, 618 S.E.2d 340 (2005).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1058921/omniplex-world-services-v-us-inv/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1058921/omniplex-world-services-v-us-inv/#:~:text=These%20considerations%20form%20the%20basis,of%20a%20sound%20public%20policy%3F",
            "proposition": "Omniplex supports Virginia's three-part test asking whether the restraint protects the employer, does not unduly burden the employee, and is reasonable from a public-policy standpoint.",
            "verbatimQuote": "These considerations form the basis of the three-part test we use to determine the validity of restrictive covenants: (1) Is the restraint, from the standpoint of the employer, reasonable in the sense that it is no greater than necessary to protect the employer in some legitimate business interest? (2) From the standpoint of the employee, is the restraint reasonable in the sense that it is not unduly harsh and oppressive in curtailing his legitimate efforts to earn a livelihood? (3) Is the restraint reasonable from the standpoint of a sound public policy?",
            "date": "2005-09-16",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-omniplex-three-part-test"
          },
          {
            "id": "preferred-elements-together",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Preferred Systems Solutions, Inc. v. GP Consulting, LLC",
            "citation": "Preferred Sys. Sols., Inc. v. GP Consulting, LLC, 284 Va. 382 (2012).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057833/preferred-systems-solutions-v-gp-consulting/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057833/preferred-systems-solutions-v-gp-consulting/#:~:text=We%20assess%20these%20elements%20together,rather%20than%20as%20distinct%20inquiries.",
            "proposition": "Preferred Systems supports evaluating function, geographic scope, and duration together rather than as distinct inquiries.",
            "verbatimQuote": "We assess these elements together rather than as distinct inquiries.",
            "date": "2012-09-14",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-preferred-elements-together"
          },
          {
            "id": "home-paramount-any-capacity",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer",
            "citation": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer, 282 Va. 412, 718 S.E.2d 762 (2011).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/#:~:text=Because%20Home%20Paramount%20did%20not,while%20employed%20by%20a%20competitor.",
            "proposition": "Home Paramount supports the function-overbreadth rule that a covenant barring work for competitors in any capacity requires proof of a legitimate business interest in that sweeping restraint.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Because Home Paramount did not confine the function element of the Provision to those activities it actually engaged in, it bore the burden of proving a legitimate business interest in prohibiting Shaffer from engaging in all reasonably conceivable activities while employed by a competitor.",
            "date": "2011-11-04",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-home-paramount-any-capacity"
          },
          {
            "id": "motion-control-similar-business",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Motion Control Systems, Inc. v. East",
            "citation": "Motion Control Sys., Inc. v. East, 262 Va. 33, 546 S.E.2d 424 (2001).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1059467/motion-control-systems-inc-v-east/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1059467/motion-control-systems-inc-v-east/#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20we%20conclude%20that%20the,MCS%20and%2C%20therefore%2C%20was%20unenforceable.",
            "proposition": "Motion Control supports invalidating a covenant whose similar-business language reaches unrelated enterprises beyond the employer's legitimate business interest.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not err in holding that the covenant not to compete in this case imposed restraints that exceeded those necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of MCS and, therefore, was unenforceable.",
            "date": "2001-06-08",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-motion-control-similar-business"
          },
          {
            "id": "home-paramount-overbreadth",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer",
            "citation": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer, 282 Va. 412, 718 S.E.2d 762 (2011).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/#:~:text=the%20clear%20overbreadth%20of%20the,of%20geographic%20scope%20and%20duration.",
            "proposition": "Home Paramount supports the rule that clear function overbreadth cannot be rescued by narrow geography and duration.",
            "verbatimQuote": "the clear overbreadth of the function here cannot be saved by narrow tailoring of geographic scope and duration.",
            "date": "2011-11-04",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-home-paramount-overbreadth"
          },
          {
            "id": "modern-environments-burden",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Modern Environments, Inc. v. Stinnett",
            "citation": "Modern Env'ts, Inc. v. Stinnett, 263 Va. 491, 561 S.E.2d 694 (2002).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1059338/modern-environments-inc-v-stinnett/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1059338/modern-environments-inc-v-stinnett/#:~:text=Second%2C%20the%20employer%20bears%20the,light%20of%20sound%20public%20policy.",
            "proposition": "Modern Environments supports the employer's burden to prove a restraint is no greater than necessary, not unduly harsh, and reasonable in light of public policy.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Second, the employer bears the burden to show that the restraint is no greater than necessary to protect a legitimate business interest, is not unduly harsh or oppressive in curtailing an employee's ability to earn a livelihood, and is reasonable in light of sound public policy.",
            "date": "2002-04-19",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-modern-environments-burden"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "protected-workers",
        "label": "Which Virginia workers cannot be bound by non-competes?",
        "heading": "Which Virginia employees cannot be bound by non-competes under the statutory ban?",
        "answerText": "Virginia employers cannot use employment non-competes with statutory low-wage employees, a group that now includes workers below the 2026 weekly wage threshold and FLSA non-exempt employees regardless of pay, or with health care professionals covered by the 2026 amendment.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "statute-low-wage-threshold",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(A).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports the average-weekly-wage prong of the statutory low-wage employee definition.",
            "verbatimQuote": "means an employee (i) whose average weekly earnings, calculated by dividing the employee's earnings during the period of 52 weeks immediately preceding the date of termination of employment by 52, or if an employee worked fewer than 52 weeks, by the number of weeks that the employee was actually paid during the 52-week period, are less than the average weekly wage of the Commonwealth as determined pursuant to subsection B of § 65.2-500",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-low-wage-threshold"
          },
          {
            "id": "statute-low-wage-flsa",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(A).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports the FLSA-overtime prong of the statutory low-wage employee definition.",
            "verbatimQuote": "who, regardless of his average weekly earnings, is entitled to overtime compensation under the provisions of 29 U.S.C. § 207 for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any one workweek.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-low-wage-flsa"
          },
          {
            "id": "statute-interns-trainees",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(A).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports including interns, students, apprentices, and trainees in the low-wage employee definition.",
            "verbatimQuote": "includes interns, students, apprentices, or trainees employed, with or without pay, at a trade or occupation in order to gain work or educational experience.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-interns-trainees"
          },
          {
            "id": "statute-independent-contractors",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(A).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports including lower-paid independent contractors in the low-wage employee definition.",
            "verbatimQuote": "also includes an individual who has independently contracted with another person to perform services independent of an employment relationship and who is compensated for such services by such person at an hourly rate that is less than the median hourly wage for the Commonwealth for all occupations as reported, for the preceding year, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-independent-contractors"
          },
          {
            "id": "statute-commission-exclusion",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(A).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports the statutory exclusion for employees whose earnings are derived in whole or predominant part from sales commissions, incentives, or bonuses.",
            "verbatimQuote": "does not include any employee whose earnings are derived, in whole or in predominant part, from sales commissions, incentives, or bonuses paid to the employee by the employer.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-commission-exclusion"
          },
          {
            "id": "doli-threshold",
            "authorityType": "agency-guidance",
            "tier": "official-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia DOLI Notice of the Average Weekly Wage for 2026",
            "citation": "Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, Notice of the Average Weekly Wage for 2026 (Jan. 6, 2026).",
            "url": "https://doli.virginia.gov/2026/01/06/notice-of-the-average-weekly-wage-for-2026/",
            "proposition": "Virginia DOLI supports the 2026 threshold of less than $1,507.01 per week.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Pursuant to Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8, the term “low-wage employee” as applied to covenants not to compete has been calculated by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement to include all employees who earn an average of less than $1,507.01 per week.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-doli-threshold"
          },
          {
            "id": "doli-flsa",
            "authorityType": "agency-guidance",
            "tier": "official-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia DOLI Notice of the Average Weekly Wage for 2026",
            "citation": "Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, Notice of the Average Weekly Wage for 2026 (Jan. 6, 2026).",
            "url": "https://doli.virginia.gov/2026/01/06/notice-of-the-average-weekly-wage-for-2026/",
            "proposition": "Virginia DOLI supports the July 1, 2025 inclusion of FLSA-overtime employees regardless of average weekly earnings.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Effective July 1, 2025, a “low-wage employee” also includes an employee who, regardless of average weekly earnings, is entitled to overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any one workweek.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-doli-flsa"
          },
          {
            "id": "statute-private-action-relief",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(D).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports the private action, limitations period, voiding, injunction, liquidated-damages, lost-compensation, damages, and reasonable-attorney-fee remedies.",
            "verbatimQuote": "An employee or health care professional may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any former employer or other person that attempts to enforce a covenant not to compete against such employee in violation of this section. An action under this section shall be brought within two years of the latter of (i) the date the covenant not to compete was signed, (ii) the date the employee or health care professional learns of the covenant not to compete, (iii) the date the employment relationship is terminated, or (iv) the date the employer takes any step to enforce the covenant not to compete. The court shall have jurisdiction to void any covenant not to compete with an employee or health care professional and to order all appropriate relief, including enjoining the conduct of any person or employer, ordering payment of liquidated damages, and awarding lost compensation, damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-private-action-relief"
          },
          {
            "id": "statute-civil-penalty",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(E).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports DOLI's $10,000 civil penalty for each violation of subsection B or C as determined by the Commissioner.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Any employer that violates the provisions of subsection B or C as determined by the Commissioner shall be subject to a civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-civil-penalty"
          },
          {
            "id": "statute-fees",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(F).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports recovery of reasonable costs, expert fees, and attorney fees after a court finds a violation.",
            "verbatimQuote": "If the court finds a violation of the provisions of this section, the plaintiff shall be entitled to recover reasonable costs, including costs and reasonable fees for expert witnesses, and attorney fees from the former employer or other person who attempts to enforce an unlawful covenant not to compete against such plaintiff.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-fees"
          },
          {
            "id": "statute-posting",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(G).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports the employer posting requirement.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Every employer shall post a copy of this section or a summary approved by the Department in the same location where other employee notices required by state or federal law are posted.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-posting"
          },
          {
            "id": "sb128-healthcare-ban",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia Acts of Assembly Ch. 1114 (SB 128), Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8(B)",
            "citation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (S.B. 128) (codified at Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(B), eff. July 1, 2026).",
            "enactedCitation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (S.B. 128).",
            "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB128",
            "proposition": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (SB 128) extends the statutory ban so that no employer may enter into, enforce, or threaten to enforce a non-compete with any low-wage employee or health care professional.",
            "verbatimQuote": "No employer shall enter into, enforce, or threaten to enforce a covenant not to compete with any low-wage employee or health care professional.",
            "date": "2026-07-01",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sb128-healthcare-ban"
          },
          {
            "id": "sb128-healthcare-definition",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia Acts of Assembly Ch. 1114 (SB 128), Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8(A)",
            "citation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (S.B. 128) (codified at Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(A), eff. July 1, 2026).",
            "enactedCitation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (S.B. 128).",
            "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB128",
            "proposition": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (SB 128) defines a health care professional as any person licensed, registered, or certified by the Board of Medicine, Nursing, Counseling, Optometry, Psychology, or Social Work.",
            "verbatimQuote": "“Health care professional” means any person licensed, registered, or certified by the Board of Medicine, Nursing, Counseling, Optometry, Psychology, or Social Work.",
            "date": "2026-07-01",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sb128-healthcare-definition"
          },
          {
            "id": "sb128-sale-carveout",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia Acts of Assembly Ch. 1114 (SB 128), Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8(H)(2)",
            "citation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (S.B. 128) (codified at Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(H)(2), eff. July 1, 2026).",
            "enactedCitation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (S.B. 128).",
            "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB128",
            "proposition": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (SB 128) preserves a sale-of-business covenant not to compete with a health care professional, provided it is reasonable in scope, duration, and geographic area.",
            "verbatimQuote": "In such transactions, the seller and buyer may enter a covenant not to compete or similarly restrictive covenant for the health care professional or such person's business entity, provided that such covenant not to compete or similarly restrictive covenant is reasonable in scope, duration, and geographic area.",
            "date": "2026-07-01",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sb128-sale-carveout"
          },
          {
            "id": "sb128-nonsolicit-carveout",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Virginia Acts of Assembly Ch. 1114 (SB 128), Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8(I)",
            "citation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (S.B. 128) (codified at Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(I), eff. July 1, 2026).",
            "enactedCitation": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (S.B. 128).",
            "url": "https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB128",
            "proposition": "2026 Va. Acts ch. 1114 (SB 128) leaves health-care employers free to use training-cost repayment terms and a customer non-solicit that is narrowly construed to the professional's own material-contact customers and substantially similar services.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Any reference to a prohibition against soliciting or attempting to solicit customers shall be narrowly construed to apply only to (i) the health care professional's customers, including actively sought prospective customers, with whom the health care professional had material contact during employment and (ii) products and services that are the same as or substantially similar to those provided by the employer.",
            "date": "2026-07-01",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sb128-nonsolicit-carveout"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "court-narrowing",
        "label": "Will Virginia courts blue-pencil an overbroad non-compete?",
        "heading": "Will a Virginia court narrow or blue-pencil an overbroad non-compete?",
        "answerText": "No, not in the practical sense employers usually mean. Virginia courts strictly construe restrictive covenants, and a clear overbreadth problem can make the covenant unenforceable rather than narrowed by the court.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "motion-control-strict-construction",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Motion Control Systems, Inc. v. East",
            "citation": "Motion Control Sys., Inc. v. East, 262 Va. 33, 546 S.E.2d 424 (2001).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1059467/motion-control-systems-inc-v-east/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1059467/motion-control-systems-inc-v-east/#:~:text=As%20a%20restraint%20of%20trade%2C,in%20favor%20of%20the%20employee.",
            "proposition": "Motion Control supports strict construction of Virginia non-competes and employee-favorable construction of ambiguities.",
            "verbatimQuote": "As a restraint of trade, the covenant must be strictly construed and, if ambiguous, it must be construed in favor of the employee.",
            "date": "2001-06-08",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-motion-control-strict-construction"
          },
          {
            "id": "home-paramount-overbreadth-no-save",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer",
            "citation": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer, 282 Va. 412, 718 S.E.2d 762 (2011).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/#:~:text=the%20clear%20overbreadth%20of%20the,of%20geographic%20scope%20and%20duration.",
            "proposition": "Home Paramount supports the rule that clear function overbreadth cannot be saved by narrow geography and duration.",
            "verbatimQuote": "the clear overbreadth of the function here cannot be saved by narrow tailoring of geographic scope and duration.",
            "date": "2011-11-04",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-home-paramount-overbreadth-no-save"
          },
          {
            "id": "home-paramount-no-extrinsic-narrowing",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer",
            "citation": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer, 282 Va. 412, 718 S.E.2d 762 (2011).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/#:~:text=Home%20Paramount%20thus%20was%20limited,not%20contrary%20to%20public%20policy.",
            "proposition": "Home Paramount supports rejecting an attempt to narrow clear covenant language through extrinsic evidence.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Home Paramount thus was limited to adducing evidence to prove that the language it chose furthered its legitimate business interests, did not unduly burden Shaffer’s ability to earn a living, and was not contrary to public policy.",
            "date": "2011-11-04",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-home-paramount-no-extrinsic-narrowing"
          },
          {
            "id": "assurance-data-factual-vacuum",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Assurance Data, Inc. v. Malyevac",
            "citation": "Assurance Data, Inc. v. Malyevac, 286 Va. 137 (2013).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057728/assurance-data-inc-v-malyevac/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057728/assurance-data-inc-v-malyevac/#:~:text=The%20premise%20running%20through%20Simmons%2C,unenforceable%20in%20a%20factual%20vacuum.",
            "proposition": "Assurance Data supports the procedural rule that enforceability of a Virginia restraint generally requires factual development rather than decision in a factual vacuum.",
            "verbatimQuote": "The premise running through Simmons, Modern Environments, Home Paramount, and our other decisions is that restraints on competition are neither enforceable nor unenforceable in a factual vacuum.",
            "date": "2013-09-12",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-assurance-data-factual-vacuum"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "extended-for-breach",
        "label": "Does a Virginia non-compete toll during breach or litigation?",
        "heading": "Does the restricted period toll or extend during breach or litigation in Virginia?",
        "answerText": "Virginia law does not squarely answer this in the staged authorities. No source in this corpus resolves whether a non-compete period tolls during breach or litigation, or whether an extension-on-breach clause is enforceable; the available cases only supply strict-construction and overbreadth background.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "tolling-motion-control-strict",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Motion Control Systems, Inc. v. East",
            "citation": "Motion Control Sys., Inc. v. East, 262 Va. 33, 546 S.E.2d 424 (2001).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1059467/motion-control-systems-inc-v-east/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1059467/motion-control-systems-inc-v-east/#:~:text=As%20a%20restraint%20of%20trade%2C,in%20favor%20of%20the%20employee.",
            "proposition": "Motion Control supports the strict-construction backdrop for assessing unresolved tolling or extension-on-breach risk.",
            "verbatimQuote": "As a restraint of trade, the covenant must be strictly construed and, if ambiguous, it must be construed in favor of the employee.",
            "date": "2001-06-08",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-tolling-motion-control-strict"
          },
          {
            "id": "tolling-home-paramount-overbreadth",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer",
            "citation": "Home Paramount Pest Control Cos. v. Shaffer, 282 Va. 412, 718 S.E.2d 762 (2011).",
            "url": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/",
            "deepLink": "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1057978/home-paramount-pest-control-v-shaffer/#:~:text=the%20clear%20overbreadth%20of%20the,of%20geographic%20scope%20and%20duration.",
            "proposition": "Home Paramount supports the strict-construction backdrop that clear overbreadth cannot be saved by narrower drafting elements.",
            "verbatimQuote": "the clear overbreadth of the function here cannot be saved by narrow tailoring of geographic scope and duration.",
            "date": "2011-11-04",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-tolling-home-paramount-overbreadth"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "non-solicitation",
        "label": "How do Virginia non-solicitation provisions fit?",
        "heading": "How do non-solicitation provisions fit in Virginia, especially for protected workers?",
        "answerText": "Customer non-solicits can fit differently from non-competes, but the line is narrow. Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 says a covenant not to compete cannot block a former employee from serving a customer if the employee did not initiate contact or solicit the customer.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "statute-customer-service-carveout",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(A).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports the statutory customer-service carveout when the former employee does not initiate contact with or solicit the customer.",
            "verbatimQuote": "shall not restrict an employee from providing a service to a customer or client of the employer if the employee does not initiate contact with or solicit the customer or client.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-customer-service-carveout"
          },
          {
            "id": "sentry-customer-solicitation",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Sentry Force Security, LLC v. Barrera",
            "citation": "Sentry Force Sec., LLC v. Barrera, Record No. 1405-24-4, slip op. at 14 (Va. Ct. App. Jan. 27, 2026) (unpublished).",
            "url": "https://www.vacourts.gov/opinions/opncavwp/1405244.pdf",
            "proposition": "Sentry Force supports the unpublished Court of Appeals reading that § 40.1-28.7:8 does not prevent an employer from barring direct customer solicitation by a former low-wage employee.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Thus, even assuming Barrera is a low-wage employee for the purposes of this interlocutory appeal (as the parties do), Barrera cannot solicit his former employer’s customers for his own company.",
            "date": "2026-01-27",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sentry-customer-solicitation"
          },
          {
            "id": "sentry-passive-customer",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Sentry Force Security, LLC v. Barrera",
            "citation": "Sentry Force Sec., LLC v. Barrera, Record No. 1405-24-4, slip op. at 15 (Va. Ct. App. Jan. 27, 2026) (unpublished).",
            "url": "https://www.vacourts.gov/opinions/opncavwp/1405244.pdf",
            "proposition": "Sentry Force supports the unpublished Court of Appeals distinction that customer-initiated business cannot be blocked under § 40.1-28.7:8.",
            "verbatimQuote": "In short, if the customer approaches the former employee with its business, the former employee is not restricted from accepting that customer’s business—and doing work for that customer of the former employer.",
            "date": "2026-01-27",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sentry-passive-customer"
          },
          {
            "id": "sentry-employee-solicitation",
            "authorityType": "case-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Sentry Force Security, LLC v. Barrera",
            "citation": "Sentry Force Sec., LLC v. Barrera, Record No. 1405-24-4, slip op. at 20 (Va. Ct. App. Jan. 27, 2026) (unpublished).",
            "url": "https://www.vacourts.gov/opinions/opncavwp/1405244.pdf",
            "proposition": "Sentry Force supports the unpublished Court of Appeals holding that § 40.1-28.7:8 prevents enforcement of a covenant barring a protected worker from soliciting the employer's other employees.",
            "verbatimQuote": "However, we affirm the circuit court’s decision on Sentry Force’s second assignment of error because Code § 40.1-28.7:8 does prevent Sentry Force from enforcing a “covenant not to compete” agreement against Barrera that stops Barrera (after he left Sentry Force) from soliciting Sentry Force’s other employees.",
            "date": "2026-01-27",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-sentry-employee-solicitation"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "slug": "alternatives",
        "label": "What can Virginia employers use instead of a non-compete?",
        "heading": "What can Virginia employers use instead of a non-compete?",
        "answerText": "Virginia employers can still use properly tailored nondisclosure, confidentiality, and trade-secret protections. Section 40.1-28.7:8 expressly preserves nondisclosure agreements aimed at misappropriation and sharing of trade secrets, proprietary information, and confidential information.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "id": "statute-nda-preserved",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 40.1-28.7:8(H)(1).",
            "enactedCitation": "2020 Va. Acts cc. 948, 949; 2025 Va. Acts c. 585; 2026 Va. Acts cc. 883, 1113, 1114.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/40.1-28.7:8/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:8 supports preserving nondisclosure agreements aimed at trade secrets, proprietary information, and confidential information.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Nothing in this section shall serve to limit the creation or application of: 1. Nondisclosure agreements intended to prohibit the taking, misappropriating, threatening to misappropriate, or sharing of certain information to which an employee has access, including trade secrets, as defined in § 59.1-336, and proprietary or confidential information",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-statute-nda-preserved"
          },
          {
            "id": "vutsa-trade-secret-definition",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 59.1-336",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-336.",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/59.1-336/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 59.1-336 supports the economic-value and reasonable-secrecy elements of Virginia's statutory trade-secret definition.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and 2. Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-vutsa-trade-secret-definition"
          },
          {
            "id": "vutsa-injunctive-relief",
            "authorityType": "primary-law",
            "tier": "primary-source-backed",
            "title": "Va. Code § 59.1-337",
            "citation": "Va. Code Ann. § 59.1-337(A).",
            "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/59.1-337/",
            "proposition": "Va. Code § 59.1-337 supports injunctive relief for actual or threatened trade-secret misappropriation.",
            "verbatimQuote": "Actual or threatened misappropriation may be enjoined.",
            "anchor": "https://openagreements.org/practice-guides/non-compete/us/virginia#src-vutsa-injunctive-relief"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}