The Do Not Call Registry and what it means for your texting
The National Do Not Call Registry applies to more than phone calls. What it covers, how it relates to texting consent, and how to keep your own do-not-contact list.
·5 min read
Most texting guidance focuses on consent and opt-outs, and the Do Not Call Registry gets mentioned in passing, if at all. But the registry is a separate layer of rules, and sales teams that mix calls and texts need to understand how the layers fit together.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and situation, so confirm your obligations with counsel.
What the registry is
The National Do Not Call Registry is a list of numbers whose owners have asked not to receive telemarketing calls. It is maintained federally, and many states keep their own lists as well. Telemarketers are expected to check their contact lists against it regularly, and the standard federal expectation is to refresh at least every 31 days.
Does it cover texts?
Marketing texts are generally treated like telemarketing calls for these purposes, so contacting a registered number with a sales text can create exposure even if you did not call. Whether an exemption applies, such as an established business relationship, depends on the details, and it does not replace the consent required for marketing texts to a mobile number.
Consent is not the same as being off the list
A person can be on the registry and still consent to hear from you, for example by submitting a form. But consent must be real, specific, and recorded. Buying a list and assuming everyone is fair game is where businesses get into trouble.
- ✓Check purchased or aged lists against the registry
- ✓Record when and how each person consented
- ✓Treat a request to stop as final
Keep your own do-not-contact list
Beyond the registry, you need an internal list of people who asked you to stop. In Text2Sale you can mark a contact as do not call, and the power dialer has a do-not-call disposition for calls. Keep the list centrally, apply it to every channel, and never delete entries; a deleted record is how someone gets contacted again.
Build the check into the workflow
Make registry screening part of how lists enter your system, not a separate chore. Scrub before import, record the date, and re-screen on a schedule. If you cannot show when you last checked, you cannot show you did.
Train the whole team
Compliance depends on everyone doing the same thing. Give the team a one-page reference: what to do when someone asks to stop, where to record it, and what to say. Make sure the do-not-call flag is applied to both calls and texts. Verbal requests count too, so teach reps to log them immediately. Confirm the request politely to the person, and then leave them alone.
Key takeaways
- →The Do Not Call Registry is separate from texting consent.
- →Marketing texts are generally treated like telemarketing calls for registry purposes.
- →Screen purchased and aged lists, and re-screen regularly.
- →Keep an internal do-not-contact list that applies to calls and texts.
- →This is general information; confirm obligations with counsel.
Put this into practice with Text2Sale
Import leads, create follow-up campaigns, organize replies, and connect texting, calling, and appointments in one workspace.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check the Do Not Call Registry before texting?
For marketing messages to people who have not clearly consented, screening against the registry is part of good practice and is often required. Confirm what applies to you.
Can a customer on the registry still receive my texts?
If they have given valid, documented consent to receive your texts, consent can apply even to registered numbers. Without consent, it can create exposure.
Can I mark a contact as do not call in Text2Sale?
Yes. Contacts can be marked do not call, and the power dialer includes a do-not-call disposition.