As a general rule, non-compete agreements are not permitted under California law. California law explicitly voids all non-compete agreements for employees and independent contractors.These agreements are simply not enforceable. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the enforceability of non-compete agreements against independent contractors in California. Non-compete agreements for independent contractors forbids them to work for your competition for a specific period after employment. Should you have one? Bottom line: noncompete agreements with independent contractors are not legal in California. The California state legislature recently passed AB 5, which defines who is an independent contractor and who is an employee under California law. A "non-compete" agreement is an agreement not to do business in the same field as your employer. Independent contractors should not get offered any non-compete agreement to sign – especially if it reclassifies them as an employee.