1. A noncompetition covenant is void and unenforceable unless the noncompetition covenant:
(a) Is supported by valuable consideration;
(b) Does not impose any restraint that is greater than is required for the protection of the employer for whose benefit the restraint is imposed;
(c) Does not impose any undue hardship on the employee; and
(d) Imposes restrictions that are appropriate in relation to the valuable consideration supporting the noncompetition covenant.
2. A noncompetition covenant may not restrict, and an employer may not bring an action to restrict, a former employee of an employer from providing service to a former customer or client if:
(a) The former employee did not solicit the former customer or client;
(b) The customer or client voluntarily chose to leave and seek services from the former employee; and
(c) The former employee is otherwise complying with the limitations in the covenant as to time, geographical area and scope of activity to be restrained, other than any limitation on providing services to a former customer or client who seeks the services of the former employee without any contact instigated by the former employee.
Any provision in a noncompetition covenant which violates the provisions of this subsection is void and unenforceable.
3. A noncompetition covenant may not apply to an employee who is paid solely on an hourly wage basis, exclusive of any tips or gratuities.
4. An employer in this State who negotiates, executes or attempts to enforce a noncompetition covenant that is void and unenforceable under this section does not violate the provisions of NRS 613.200.
5. If the termination of the employment of an employee is the result of a reduction of force, reorganization or similar restructuring of the employer, a noncompetition covenant is only enforceable during the period in which the employer is paying the employee’s salary, benefits or equivalent compensation, including, without limitation, severance pay.
6. If an employer brings an action to enforce a noncompetition covenant or an employee brings an action to challenge a noncompetition covenant and the court finds the covenant is supported by valuable consideration but contains limitations as to time, geographical area or scope of activity to be restrained that are not reasonable, imposes a greater restraint than is necessary for the protection of the employer for whose benefit the restraint is imposed or imposes undue hardship on the employee, the court shall revise the covenant to the extent necessary and enforce the covenant as revised. Such revisions must cause the limitations contained in the covenant as to time, geographical area and scope of activity to be restrained to be reasonable, to not impose undue hardship on the employee and to impose a restraint that is not greater than is necessary for the protection of the employer for whose benefit the restraint is imposed.
7. If an employer brings an action to enforce a noncompetition covenant or an employee brings an action to challenge a noncompetition covenant and the court finds that the noncompetition covenant applies to an employee described in subsection 3 or that the employer has restricted or attempted to restrict a former employee in the manner described in subsection 2, the court shall award the employee reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting a court from otherwise awarding attorney’s fees to a prevailing party pursuant to NRS 18.010.
8. As used in this section:
(a) "Employer" means every person having control or custody of any employment, place of employment or any employee.
(b) "Noncompetition covenant" means an agreement between an employer and employee which, upon termination of the employment of the employee, prohibits the employee from pursuing a similar vocation in competition with or becoming employed by a competitor of the employer.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 1861; A 2021, 314)
Structure Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 613 - Employment Practices
NRS 613.020 - Fraudulent representations by employment agent or broker: Penalty.
NRS 613.040 - Rule or regulation preventing political activity unlawful.
NRS 613.050 - Penalty; duty of Attorney General.
NRS 613.060 - Responsibility for acts of managers, officers, agents and employees.
NRS 613.070 - Recovery of damages by employee.
NRS 613.080 - Involuntary servitude prohibited; wages; penalty.
NRS 613.100 - Endangering life or property by breaking employment contract: Penalty.
NRS 613.110 - Grafting by employee: Penalty.
NRS 613.160 - Spotters: Right of employee to be confronted with accuser; penalty.
NRS 613.170 - Time checks: Discounts and deductions unlawful.
NRS 613.180 - Hospital fees: Unlawful collection from employee.
NRS 613.190 - Corrupt influencing of employee unlawful.
NRS 613.220 - Assembling and cooperation of employees to secure increases in wages unrestricted.
NRS 613.230 - "Labor organization" defined.
NRS 613.260 - Certain contracts declared illegal and void.
NRS 613.290 - Liability for damages.
NRS 613.300 - Injunctive relief.
NRS 613.350 - Lawful employment practices.
NRS 613.370 - National security.
NRS 613.385 - Preferential treatment in hiring veteran or spouse of veteran permitted.
NRS 613.390 - Inapplicability to employment by certain businesses on or near Indian reservation.
NRS 613.430 - Limitation on actions.
NRS 613.432 - Unlawful employment practices: Relief.
NRS 613.435 - Expedited appeal for certain actions.
NRS 613.4362 - "Reasonable accommodation" defined.
NRS 613.4365 - "Related medical condition" defined.
NRS 613.4368 - Legislative findings and declaration.
NRS 613.4374 - Employer must prove undue hardship for refusal to provide reasonable accommodation.
NRS 613.450 - Provisions inapplicable to State and its political subdivisions.
NRS 613.460 - Adoption of regulations; notice of statutory provisions.
NRS 613.470 - Waiver of rights and procedures void; exception.
NRS 613.480 - Unlawful acts of employer.
NRS 613.490 - Liability of employer to employee; attorney’s fees and costs.
NRS 613.500 - Administrative penalties; penalties are cumulative; injunctive relief.
NRS 613.510 - Exemptions from provisions.
NRS 613.530 - "Consumer credit report" defined.
NRS 613.540 - "Consumer reporting agency" defined.
NRS 613.550 - "Credit information" defined.
NRS 613.560 - "Employer" defined.
NRS 613.600 - Administrative penalties, penalties are cumulative; injunctive relief.
NRS 613.620 - Legislative declaration; wages and benefits not limited; regulations.
NRS 613.710 - "Call center" defined.