Do the TCPA and Do Not Call rules apply to text messages?

Yes. The FCC treats text messages as calls under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule also governs marketing texts. Consent, Do Not Call, calling-time, and opt-out requirements all apply to SMS programs.

What consent do I need to send marketing texts?

Marketing or advertising texts sent using automated technology require prior express written consent. The consent request should use clear and conspicuous disclosure language, identify your business, and state your terms, including that consent is not a condition of purchase.

How often must I run compliance checks on my texting lists?

Federal rules require compliance checks against the wireless ported numbers list every 15 days and against the National Do Not Call Registry every 31 days. Before a campaign, you should also confirm against the Reassigned Numbers Database that each number still belongs to the person who consented.

How quickly must I honor a STOP or other opt-out request?

Under the FCC rules effective April 11, 2025, you must accept any reasonable opt-out request, including common keywords like STOP, and honor it within 10 business days. A one-time confirmation text, if you send one, must go out within 5 minutes of the opt-out.

What hours can I send marketing texts?

The federal baseline permits marketing texts between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the recipient's local time zone. Several states impose narrower windows, so DNCSolution enforces time-of-day rules by area code automatically.

Do these rules apply to texts written or sent by AI?

Yes. Consent, opt-out, timing, and Do Not Call requirements apply to the message itself, whether a person, campaign software, or an AI agent writes or sends it. DNCSolution checks every outbound text at the moment of send, so AI-driven outreach is screened the same way as any other.

Do Not Text & SMS Compliance Software | DNtext

Solutions Services Partners Company Resources

Talk to an Expert →

Find by Product/Industry

Browse by Product DNCSolution · MyPreferences · RegInfoHub Browse by Industry FinTech, insurance, healthcare & more

Find your path

For Compliance TeamsAudit-ready control across every channel For Tech TeamsCheck contacts fast, dial more, integrate easily For Revenue TeamsOne solution, lower risk, no surprises

Already know what you're looking for?

Browse all products

DNC Compliance DNCSolution Fully integrated across every channel, with audit-ready reporting. Do Not Call DNC International DNC for Salesforce DNC B2B Email/Text/Mail Reassigned Numbers Litigator List TCPA

Consent/Preference MyPreferences Centralized, real-time consent and preference management built for evolving privacy regulation. TCPA Consent Consent Management Consent Revocation 1-to-1 Medicare Consent Preference Management Zero Party Data

Regulations RegInfoHub Stay ahead of state, federal, and international regulatory changes before they affect your program. Regulatory Alerts State Updates

Solutions tailored to regulated, high-accountability sectors