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Can a home care agency make caregivers sign a non-compete in Missouri?
Last verified October 17, 2026 · All Missouri resources
Generally enforceable if reasonable. Missouri courts enforce non-competes that are reasonable in time and area and protect legitimate interests such as customer relationships or trade secrets. By statute, agreements not to solicit or hire co-workers for up to one year are presumed reasonable. There is no wage threshold or healthcare carve-out.
| Status | Generally enforceable if reasonable |
|---|---|
| Client non-solicitation | A written covenant not to solicit, recruit or hire the employer's employees is enforceable if reasonable; one lasting no more than one year after employment is conclusively presumed reasonable, except for employees who provide only secretarial or clerical services. Customer relationships and goodwill are protectable interests. |
| Statute | RSMo § 431.202 |
What about a client hiring your caregiver directly?
That is usually handled in the client service agreement, not the caregiver's contract: some agencies charge a placement or conversion fee if a client hires a caregiver directly. Whether that clause is enforceable is a contract question, so have a local employment lawyer review it.
What should you confirm?
The non-compete standard comes from Missouri case law summarized in a law firm survey.
General information, not legal advice.
Sources
More for Missouri
Non-compete rules by state: other states
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